(19 July 1996)
As competitors complete preparations to begin the three day event competition on Sunday, one of the top horse/rider combinations scheduled to compete may finish their Olympic experience before it can begin. Preliminary reports from the Georgia International Horse Park indicate that Kayem, the grey thoroughbred gelding of New Zealand's Mark TODD, may be withdrawn from competition before Saturday's preliminary veterinary inspection. New Zealand is the favorite to capture the team gold. New Zealand does have two alternate horses in the Atlanta area that could be brought in as a replacement, should the need arise. The British team, led by Mary KING on King William and Ian STARK on Stanwick Ghost, could be considered the delegation most likely to benefit, should Kayem be forced to withdraw.
One significant change in the competition format since the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona involves the distinction between individual and team competitors. In Atlanta, scores from the three day team competition cannot be transferred over to the individual competition. At previous Olympic Games competitions, one performance by a horse/rider combination could result in both team and individual medals. This year, the only way for a rider to earn two medals is to compete two horses, one in the team competition and one in the individual competition. The Phase "D" or cross country section of the endurance day will be alternated between the team and individual competitions in order to negate any advantage that may have been gained by riders who participated in the team competition.
The first inspection for all horses involved in the team competition will begin at 15:00 on Saturday, 20 July at the Georgia International Horse Park. Official start times will be released following the veterinary inspection.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Amy H. Symons.
| An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games. |