Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – August 14, 2003 - There was no doubt that the gold medal belonged to the United States as they won the Team Show Jumping competition in decisive fashion at the 2003 Pan American Games.

Mexico fought the good fight, but their solid effort was not enough to surpass the Americans. Three faultless efforts in the first round meant the United States added nothing to their opening total of 1.66 earned in the First Qualifier on Wednesday. Counting an eight-fault round from Lauren Hough riding Windy City and a four-fault effort from Beezie Madden and Conquest II in the second round, the United States won the gold medal with a final total of 13.66 penalties compared to the 21.87 posted by Mexico.

“Everyone had a super day,” said Chris Kappler, 36, who led his Team to the gold medal with two faultless performances riding Royal Kaliber. “We came here to qualify for the Olympics, and I’d like to thank my teammates for being so super.”

All four United States Equestrian Team members – Hough of Wellington, FL, Madden of Cazenovia, NY, Margie Goldstein-Engle of Wellington, FL, and Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, finished in the top eight individually.

Mexico put the pressure on with a nine-fault effort in the first round and came back with a six-fault effort in the second round. Although it wasn’t enough to beat the Americans, it was enough to earn the Silver Medal and an Olympic berth.

“Our first objective was the Olympics, the silver medal is just a nice touch,” noted Gerardo Tazzer, the Mexican Team anchor rider.

While the Brazilians captured the Bronze Medal, they failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Games. Under International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules, gold and silver medallists automatically earn Olympic berths while the team with the lowest score without using a drop score secures the third spot. All nine countries competing at the Pan American Games were looking for Olympic qualification.

“We have won team bronze medals at the last two Olympic Games and now we are out,” said Alvaro Neto Miranda, riding as the Brazilian Team anchor. “It is very disappointing for us, but we knew the rules coming here.”

Given their total score, Argentina was the lucky recipient of the third Olympic spot available. Sitting in third position following the First Qualifier, Argentina finished fourth overall with a total of 56.57 penalties.

Chile, Canada, Colombia, and Guatemala all finished in that order, while Ecuador was eliminated.

Peru Leads Individual Standings

Two clear rounds for Puerto Rico’s Mark Watring moved him from third to first individually. His speed score of .83 penalty points was earned riding Sapphire, an 11-year-old grey Holsteiner gelding by Liostro. Watring is the only representative from Puerto Rico riding at the 2003 Pan American Games.

The only other rider to post double clear rounds, Kappler made an impressive leap from ninth to second position with Royal Kaliber, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Ramiro.

Adding four faults to her score, teammate Madden sits in the bronze medal position with a two-day total of 5.16 penalties riding Conquest II, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion by Concorde.

Mexico’s Federico Fernandez is fourth with Bohemio while another American, Goldstein-Engle, is in fifth position with Hidden Creek’s Perin.

The leader following the First Qualifier, Michelle Navarro of Peru, suffered disappointment when she fell in the second round after having 24 faults in the first round with her Argentinean-bred Holsteiner stallion, Osho.

Held at the newly constructed Palmarejo Equestrian Center in Santo Domingo, all 40 riders who completed the first two days of Qualifying Competition are eligible to compete in Sunday’s Individual Final on Saturday, August 16. The first round is set to go at 10:30 a.m. while the second round will begin at 3:30 p.m. Medal presentations are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

For further information on the equestrian events at the Pan American Games, please visit the Dominican Republic Equestrian Federation’s website at: www.ecuestrerd.com and the official 2003 Pan American Games website at www.santodomingo2003.com.