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Today 21 August at 16:30 (Eastern European Time), the FEI received the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the appeal of the National Olympic Committees of France, Great Britain and USA on the Eventing competition of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. The appeal was accepted by the CAS.

Consequently, France earns the Team Gold Medal, Great Britain the Silver and USA the France earns the Team Gold Medal, Great Britain the Silver and USA the Bronze. Leslie Law (GBR) is the new Individual Olympic Champion; followed by Bronze. Leslie Law (GBR) is the new Individual Olympic Champion; followed by Kimberly Severson (USA) (Silver) and Pippa Funnel (GBR) (Bronze)(complete results will be available on www.athens2004.com as soon as corrected).

The background of the decision made by the CAS is that the FEI Appeal
Committee had no jurisdiction to deal with the appeal lodged by the German Federation, against the time penalties awarded to Bettina Hoy (GER) at the conclusion of the Eventing Team Jumping and Individual Qualifier. Bettina Hoy had crossed the starting line twice before commencing her round.

The FEI Appeal Committee had concluded that, as the stadium clock had been restarted when she had crossed the starting line for the second time, the rider had no way to note that her round had already started. In order not to penalise the rider for a competition management problem, the FEI Appeal Committee had removed the 14 points penalties.

While accepting the decision of the CAS and their interpretation of FEI
General Regulations on the duties of the Ground Jury and the Appeal
Committee, the FEI wishes to emphasise that the decision taken by the Appeal Committee was based on Fair Play and the best interest of the sport, as well as on a different interpretation of the rules.

According to the IOC procedure, the medals will be returned by the
respective National Olympic Committees to the IOC and the FEI will
redistribute them in due time during a dedicated ceremony.

Muriel Faienza
Communication Manager
Federation Equestre Internationale
m.faienza@horsesport.org
www.horsesport.org
T +41 21 310 47 47

Editor's Note: Hurrah for Kim, Amy, Darren, John, and Julie!!!! At last they get the Medals they deserved to receive on Wednesday, August 18th, at the Medal Ceremonies.

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United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

4047 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511-8483 Tel: (859) 258-2472 Fax (859) 231-6662 Web site: www.usef.org

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 21, 2004

UNITED STATES EVENTING TEAM WINS BRONZE

Statement from David O’Connor, President of the United States Equestrian Federation, On the Decision from The Court of Arbitration for Sport Regarding the Eventing Stadium Jumping Competition on Wednesday, August 18th, Today the Court of Arbitration for Sport accepted the appeal of the National Olympic Committees of France, Great Britain and the United States on the Eventing competition of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Consequently, France earns the team gold medal, Great Britain the silver, and the United States the bronze. Leslie Law of Great Britain is the new individual Olympic gold medal winner; Kim Severson of the United States wins the silver medal; Pippa Funnel of Great Britain wins the bronze medal.

The following is a statement from David O'Connor President of the United States Equestrian Federation:

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is satisfied with the decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and believes it is the correct outcome, maintaining the integrity of our sport. The entire affair is a very unfortunate situation for all the countries involved, but most especially for our athletes.

Everyone at the USEF feels badly for the German team and especially for Bettina Hoy, because no one wins in a situation such as this.

We are very appreciative of the support given us by the United States Olympic Committee who have made every effort to help us protect our athletes, and of the quick action by CAS in hearing this case and bringing it to a rapid resolution.

It is unfortunate that the situation escalated to this level, it should have been resolved as a field of play issue, which it originally was if the ruling by the Ground Jury had been upheld. It is our hope that as a result of this controversy the FEI (Federation Equestre International) will reevaluate how they will handle situations such as these in the future. A more open and inclusive appeals process could have avoided the controversy and dissatisfaction created by Wednesday evening’s events.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications on (859) 225-6941 or via email at mpartlow@usef.org. USEF press releases are available on our web site – www.usef.org.

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9:30 AM, EDST, August 21: Editor's Note: What does this mean? eventingetc does not want to get your hopes up - - -; but - - - please note the date.

CORRECTED: Team Eventing : Gold for French Team 21 Aug. 2004

CORRECTION: 5th paragraph, No protest was lodged.

ATHENS, 18 August - Five rails down in showjumping could not keep the current world champion French team from the gold medal in Team Eventing with a score of 140.40 points,

Silver went to Great Britain, less than one rail away with a score of 143.00. The British renewed their success from Sydney by two clear rounds from Leslie LAW and Pippa FUNNELL.

The USA Team won bronze and came in with 145.60 points, having two clear rounds as well.

Germany ended in fourth place after the Ground Jury added 12 points to the clear round of Bettina HOY, because she crossed the starting line twice, activating the clock too early. Her time faults changed the team result from first place to fourth.

This change in the ranking was announced later, after the Ground Jury reviewed Bettina HOY's (GER) time.

The jumping course proved to be quite difficult with only 11 riders going clear. The last fence especially, an orange plank following the treble combination, fell often.

The fence influenced final scores not only for Nicolas TOUZAINT (FRA) but also for Kimberly SEVERSON (USA), although both are still leading competitors going into the Final round for the Individual medals.