U.S. show-jumping team off to good start

By MIKE PRATER

Gannett News Service

MARKOPOULO, Greece - Ten perfect qualifying scores were produced on the first day of individual jumping at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre on Sunday - and two of them were by Americans.

Peter Wylde aboard Fein Cera and Beezie Madden on Authentic tackled the 13-obstacle course without any time or jumping penalties. They are among those tied for first place heading into the second and third individual qualifiers Tuesday.

Two team qualifiers are part of Tuesday's schedule - 16 countries will compete for team medals that day - and the Americans have four riders in the top 19. That list includes McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., on Sapphire, who is tied for 11th after one time penalty, and Chris Kappler of Pittstown, N.J., aboard Royal Kaliber, who is tied for 19th after knocking down one rail.

Ward was pleased with Sapphire's performance, despite her inexperience in international competition.

``My mare felt great. She was very relaxed and jumped the course pretty easy. I think the course was great, very difficult, but not over the top. I was a little slow, and I need to watch that, but I don't think that's such a factor today to have a time fault,'' he said.

Wylde said he has confidence in his teammates, especially after Sunday's performance.

``I know behind me there are three fantastic riders and that is a comforting feeling,'' said the Olympic newcomer, who lives and trains in Holland. ``The first round was not difficult, but I am sure that the pressure is going to turn up. We have some big tests to follow.

``The Germans and the Americans have four medal contending riders, and one of the teams is not going to get the gold.''

Germany has three riders in the top 19 after Sunday's qualifying, but none of the Germans turned in perfect scores.

The top 45 riders from the team competition will jump Friday, where two more rounds will determine individual medal winners.

``Today it was a warm-up for us,'' said Kappler, gold medalist at the 2003 Pan Am Games. ``The other day we practiced at night, and today I realized it was very difficult in the morning because some zones are in the shadow and some are under extreme sunlight.''