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United States in Second Place Halfway Through Team Dressage at Pan American Games

Santo Domingo, DR—August 6, 2003—At the conclusion of the first day of the Prix St. George Dressage Team competition on Wednesday, it looks like a North American battle for Gold between the United States and Canada at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The United States Equestrian Team received a credible score of 131.600, but the combined results of Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, riding Kantor and Carol Lavell on Much Ado, were not good enough for the top spot. Canada’s Ashley Holzer with Gambol, and Evi Strasser aboard Quantum Tyme, gave their team the leading score of 134.150. Mexico currently stands third with a combined score of 122.350.

Individually, the U.S. also needs to make up some ground in order to capture the Gold Medal. Lavell, of Loxahatchee, FL, stands in second place with a score of 66.800%. Holzer leads with a score of 67.650% and Strasser is third with a score of 66.500%.

Lavell and Much Ado had a lot to overcome even before they started the test. The skies opened up as the pair entered the ring and the rain did not let up until after the test was over, but the1992 Olympic Team Bronze medalist took it all in stride.

“The hardest part about the rain was that it was getting harder to stay in the saddle,” said Lavell. “I didn’t know I was wet until the end of the ride.”

Lavell thought “To Do” as her Dutch Warmblood is called around the barn, did well, but she feels he can do better.

“I wanted a good steady test,” said Lavell. “Our job was to get a good team score and I think we did, at least I hope we did. We have two good horses going tomorrow, so we’ll see.”

The other U.S. rider Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, currently holds the fifth spot with a score of 64.80%. Riding Kantor, the pair went early in the day and missed the rain, but not the heat. Harrison-Naness was still thrilled with her experience at the Pan Ams.

“It’s a dream to be here,” said Harrison-Naness. “My family came here last night, including my 86-year-old grandma. It was so exciting and my horse went so well. I was really pleased with the whole ride.”

As Harrison-Naness dismounted after her ride, a silver dollar fell from her jacket pocket.

“Don’t lose that! My daughter, Rison, gave me that silver dollar for luck,” said the 32-year-old mom. The tooth fairy gave her two and she gave me one to carry in my jacket pocket.”

Maybe the U.S. riders competing on Thursday should carry one too.

Held over two days, due to the increased number of entries, the Prix St. George dressage competition that determines the team medal concludes on Thursday at the Palmarejito Equestrian Centre with U.S. rider Pierre St. Jacques of Boscawen, NH, on Lucky Tiger owned by St. Jacques and Lisa Belcastro and Jan Ebeling of Moorpark, CA who will ride Feliciano, owned by New Horizons Dressage, LLC.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org

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