Brigita's Blog: U.S. Olympic 3 Day Eventing Team 7th After Cross Country Phase

Thought you might be interested in the progress of the U.S. Olympic 3 Day Eventing Team.  Here is an update according to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation:

U. S. eventers stood in third place after the dressage phase, however, they dropped to seventh after cross country. 

Amy Tryon, riding Mark Hart's Poggio, was the first American on the course but after a fall at fence 10, the pair were eliminated.  Neither horse nor rider were injured.   

Gina Miles, aboard Thom Schulz and Laura Coats' McKinlaigh, was the next American on course.  Prior to the Games, Miles has never had a cross-country jumping penalty on McKinlaigh and the record still holds.  They are currently fifth, tied with Great Britain's Mary King on Call Again Cavalier.  

Becky Holder and Courageous Comet started out strong but misjudged their line at 21a, the first element of the dragon fence, and Courageous Comet ran out to the right.  When Holder tried to correct the mistake, she inadvertently crossed her tracks and incurred 60 penalties.  

Karen O'Connor was next on Joan Goswell's relatively inexperienced Mandiba.  They ran into trouble at fence 9, a downhill brush with four strides to a narrow.  Mandiba ran out on the second element.  The rest of the course was going well until the second to last fence where they had another refusal.   

Phillip Dutton, aboard Bruce Duchossois' Connaught, was the final American to go.  They produced the United States second clear round and are currently in 14th place.  

The teams stand as follows after cross country:  

Germany - 158.10 
Australia - 162.00
Great Britain - 173.70
Italy - 198.40
Sweden - 200.50
New Zealand - 210.90
United States - 234.00
Ireland - 265.10
Canada - 287.00
Brazil - 295.10
France - 1135.80

You can visit www.nbcOlympics.com for TV and online schedules and videos.

GO TEAM USA!!