(31 July 1996; Day 12)
The main goal has been accomplished, and now it's time to say good-bye. On Wednesday afternoon at Georgia International Horse Park, Steffen PETERS of the United States took his final ride on Udon, a horse that PETERS broke and trained.
PETERS grew up in Wesel, Germany, a city between Dusseldorf and the Dutch border. He began riding horses at age eight, and began to concentrate on dressage in his early teens. In 1981, the 17-year-old PETERS started training with Johann HINNEMAN, an established Grand Prix rider who would later coach the 1984 Canadian Olympic Team, and Udon came into his life. "I was the first one to put a saddle on his back," said PETERS of Udon, "and I was the first one on his back."
After five years of working with Hinneman, PETERS was offered a position at a barn in California, which he accepted. Udon crossed the pond with PETERS. Three years later, in 1989, PETERS met and married American dressage rider Janet MICHELENA and became a United States citizen in 1992.
Prior to the Olympic Games, the decision was made that Atlanta would be Udon's last competition. "It was an emotional decision," said PETERS, "but not a tough one. I have had a wonderful 15 years with (Udon), and he has done what most only dream of."
Part of that dream was accomplished on Sunday, when the United States won the bronze medal in team dressage. "Our goal from the very start was to win a team medal," said PETERS. "Qualifying for the (Grand Prix) Special was wonderful, but (the team bronze) was our goal."
Wednesday's ride yielded a score of 67.63 percent, for a two-ride total of 135.43. That score put Udon and PETERS in 15th place overall. Only 13 qualify for the freestyle, which will conclude the individual dressage competition on Saturday. Following PETERS' final ride on his partner of 15 years, he exited the ring to a loud ovation from the American crowd. Just as the crowd was quieting down, PETERS made a move that many would not have expected, and it put to rest any suspicions that PETERS would like to be riding for his native country, perennial dressage power Germany. From the right inside pocket of his coat, PETERS pulled out a small U.S. flag and waved it to the crowd.
"I think I enjoyed that just as much as the crowd did," said PETERS. "They were extremely supportive after the Grand Prix, and I wanted to thank them. I rode the whole way out to the crowd, because that's what they deserved. I was a bit worried that the flag would bother me during my test, but it didn't. I wanted to show everyone that my heart is beating for America."
Now comes the difficult part. Saying good-bye to Udon. "He'll retire to our farm in San Diego," said PETERS. "He'll be exercised three or four times a week and spend the rest of the time in the pasture. I wanted him to retire on top. He deserves it."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Amy H. Symons.
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| Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium. |