2003 Pan American Games - Show Jumping

A Great Start for Team U.S.A.

Kappler and Engle Finish Up for the U.S.

The class started at 8:30 a.m. with a 30 minute break after 21 horses had gone. Kappler was the first rider to go in the afternoon for the U.S. and his horse went superb. “Lauren started it off on a brilliant note for our team,” explained Kappler. “It was very helpful and I was able to give my horse a little breather.” Kappler also went clear but was the slowest of the group.

The riders were placed according to their time with the fastest time earning a score of 0. Then each of the rider’s times were subtracted from the fastest time. This meant that Margie was second (78.56 –78.12 = 44/2 = .22). Hough was third (78.68 – 78.12 = 56/2 = .28). Then it was Mark Watering aboard Sapphire for Peru. Then Beezie (80.44 -78.12 = 2.32/2 = 1.16). Kappler followed Martin Dopazo (ARG) and Federico Fernandez and Santiago Lambre, both from Mexico. Kappler was ninth (82.91 -78.12 = 4.79/2 = 2.40).

Finally it was Margie’s turn. “Going last was great,” she commented in the Press Conference. “My teammates all went fantastic and made it easy for me.” Margie went on to explain that it’s always a balancing act deciding just how fresh she wants Perin to be before entering a class. “In the beginning the rideability wasn’t there but he finished great. You know you always need as much fuel in the tank as you can have.”