Santo Domingo, DR—August 12, 2003—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping squad had their first look at the competition arena at the Palmarejo Equestrian Center while participating in the Training or “Friendly” round of jumping at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Tuesday, August 12.

The Training is a warm-up for the horses and riders that participate in the Show Jumping events that begin on Wednesday with the Individual Qualifier. The results from the Individual Qualifier are carried forward to Thursday’s Nations’ Cup and count in determining the team medals.

The U.S. squad battling for gold consists of Margie Goldstein Engle of Wellington, FL on Hidden Creek’s Perin, owned by Hidden Creek Farm; Lauren Hough, also of Wellington, FL, riding Windy City, owned by Peppercorn Ltd; Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, aboard Royal Kaliber, owned by Kappler and Kathy Kamine; and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, NY, aboard Conquest II, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patton. Madden, originally the team alternate, replaces Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, and her horse Anthem, who withdrew from the team because of veterinary reasons.

The U.S., along with the other eight nations competing, are all looking to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The gold and silver team medalists of the Nations’ Cup will earn a spot in Athens, while the country with the best score counting all four team member performances will also qualify.

Kappler, one of the two riders subjectively chosen for the U.S. squad, feels the U.S. team is well prepared. “We have some pressure as a team because it’s a qualifier, but we are taking it like every other bigger competition,” said Kappler. “We had a good prep event at Aachen and I feel we are as ready as we can be.”

Engle, a member of the Silver medal winning Show Jumping team at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, agrees with Kappler. “It’s do or die here, but we have been in this situation before,” said Engle. “We had to qualify for the Olympics in Winnipeg and we got it done. We will do our best here to qualify again.”

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers, vaulters and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.