ACOG - News - IBM

(21 July 1996; Day 2)

O'Connor's Lead U.S. to Top in Dressage

Karen O'CONNOR and Biko of the United States turned in the surprise dressage test of the day on Sunday, posting the day's second-best score of 39.60 penalties. Paired with the performance of her husband David O'CONNOR on Giltedge, the USA stands in first place after the first day of competition in the Three Day event.

"Biko has never had a dressage score better than 50 (penalties) in a four-star event," said Karen O'CONNOR. "We've been talking a lot about having lifetime performances here in the Olympics and thanks in large part to the training program of (USA team chef d'equippe) Captain Mark Phillips, I was able to enjoy the best dressage ride of my life here today."

Karen O'CONNOR's mark was bettered only by Ian STARK of Great Britain, who turned in a score of 35.20 on Stanwick Ghost. The two were the only riders on the day to post scores under 40 penalty points. Both Karen O'CONNOR and STARK performed in the morning session as the first riders to represent their teams. Biko and Karen O'CONNOR's late-morning performance brought a very strong reaction from the crowd at the Georgia International Horse Park when the pair's score was posted on the arena scoreboard.

In the afternoon session, David O'CONNOR and Giltedge posted a score of 40.80 as the next-to-last pair to ride. "As the test was proceeding," said David O'CONNOR, "I was confident that my score would be in the forties, but I never expected it to be quite this good." David O'CONNOR finished the day with the fourth-best dressage score, as his performance was topped by Therese WASHTOCK and Aristotle of Canada, who closed out the morning session with a score of 40.00.

Three Day event competition will conclude on Monday, as the final two riders from each team will present their tests. The U.S. will be represented by five-time Olympian Bruce DAVIDSON on Heyday and Jill HENNEBERG on Nirvana, while second-place Great Britain will counter with Gary PARSONAGE on Magic Rouge and Karen DIXON on Too Smart.

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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