2002 World Equestrian Games

Riders From Ireland, France and The USA Win Individual Titles in Show Jumping

Eric Navet Earns Individual Silver

Then it was Navet's turn. "I enjoyed very much to ride Peter's mare," he said in his French accent. "She is so well schooled and so sensitive. The kind I like to ride. Helena's horse (Utfors Mynta) I had a very bad ride in the triple bar (where he knocked down a rail and drew ohhhhh's from the crowd). I didn't deserve to win. Then on Lennon's horse I steadied for a short distance (to the fence where he dropped a rail) because on my horse it was steady, but not for his horse. Dermott was brilliant today. He did not make any mistake and he deserved to win."

Peter spoke next commenting, "Eric's horse I found difficult to ride. But Dermott showed he can get up any ride any horse. He deserved to win and he is definitely a World Champion."

Helena had joined the group as well. "Fein Cera was really nice…just lovely. I really liked Eric's horse."

For Eric this was a repeat experience except that in 1990 he had won the Gold Medal and he recalls some parts that were similar. "Until today it was exactly the same scenario because we got the team Gold. Before the changing of the horses he (Dollar) had no rails down. I feel strange about today because he really deserved to be the World Champion. But that other victory was a long time ago and I've ridden a lot of horses in my life since then."