FEDERATION EQUESTRE INTERNATIONALE
OLYMPIC UPDATE 20 AUGUST 2004

EVENTING APPEAL TO THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT FOR EVENTING MEDALS

The FEI today received the statement of appeal submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the National Olympic Committees of France, Great Britain and the USA against the FEI, the National Olympic Committee of Germany, and the individual riders of the German Eventing Team.

The hearing with the CAS is taking place this afternoon (Friday, August 20) and the official decision will be published as soon as available.

Editor's Note: The members of the Eventing Jury of Appeals, who reversed the Ground Jury's correction of their own error were:

Freddy Serpi, President
Gabriela Lingenberg
Hugh Thomas (GBR)

(The nationalities of Serpi and Lingenberg are not, at present, available.)

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DRESSAGE
Germany is Leading the Dressage Team Competition at the End of the First Day

Twenty-six riders out of 56 have competed in the first session of the Grand Prix Team competition, which also serves as 1st qualifier for the individual medals. The German team achieved 71.813 % after their two first riders Heike Kemmer / Bonaparte and Hubertus Schmidt / Wansuela Suerto. With a combined score of 69.146 %, United States lays in second place after rides from Günter Seidel and Lisa Wilcox, who has only recently returned to competition, after six months out with an injury to her horse Relevant 5. Close followers are Great Britain (69.084%), bronze medallist at 2003 European Championship and Spain (68.771%).

The best score of the day was achieved by Spanish rider Rafael Soto on his grey 15 year old Andalusian stallion Invasor with 72.792%. "I am proud of my horse and of what we did today" he said at the end of his test. "I am glad that in our third Olympic Games, my horse and I achieved our best result ever. Ever since I was young, I admired the German in Dressage, and I wanted
to do what they did, but with an Andalusian horse. This will be the last Olympic for Invasor, though." The 47 year old Spanish rider had the time of his life at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, which took place in his home town of Jerez de la Frontera, where the Spanish team achieved their first ever medal at a World Championship.

Hubertus Schmidt (GER) finished on second position with 72.333 % on his 11 year old Hannoverian mare Wansuela Suerte by Warkant and St.Pr Westika. "I am very satisfied with what we did" he commented, "My horse felt very loose. I was afraid it would be too hot today but this was not the case." This is the first Olympic participation for 45 year old Hubertus Schmidt, who placed 3rd in the FEI World Cup Final in April this year.

Heike Kemmer and Bonaparte are placed third on the Intermediate result list with a score of 71.292 %.

The second part of the Grand Prix competition will start tomorrow 21 August at 8:30 and decide on the Dressage Team medal, to be awarded at 13:15, Greek time.

Muriel Faienza
Communication Manager
Federation Equestre Internationale
m.faienza@horsesport.org
www.horsesport.org
T +41 21 310 47 47

Team Standings after the first day of Dressage

1. Germany - 71.831 %
2. USA - 69.146 %
3. Great Britain - 69.084 %
4. Spain - 68.771 %


Individual Standings after the first day of Dressage:

1. Rafael Soto (ESP), Invasor - 72.792 %
2. Hubertus Schmidt (GER), Wansuela Suerte - 72.333 %
3. Heineke Kemmer (GER), Bonaparte - 71.292%
4T. Per Sandgaard (DEN), Zancor -70.667 %
4T. Carl Hester (GBR), Escapado - 70.667 %
6. Inke Schell.-Bartels, Lancet, - 69.750 %

American Standings after the first day if Dressage:

7. Gunther Siedel (USA), Atagin - 69.500 %
8. Lisa Wilcox (USA), 68.792