Horsesdaily News: 2002 World Equestrian Games - The Americans Join Germany and Holland on the Medal Podium

2002 World Equestrian Games

The Americans Join Germany and Holland on the Medal Podium

Negotiating the Hazards

While Johnson came through with a good score he did get hurt in the sixth hazard when his left wheeler didn't see one of the gates and although the wheeler missed hitting it, the carriage did not and Johnson was almost thrown out of the carriage. As he was about to go, they pulled him back into the carriage with the strap that is used to keep the drivers in the carriage. However, in the process he hurt his ribs and then he fell on his hand. He also lost his breath for a moment and it took him through hazard #7 to pull himself together. In the final hazard, the water at #8, he was brilliant.

Johnson horses are a mix: He has a Holsteiner, a Hessen, a Hanoverian and an Oldenburg and all of them have a bit of the good ole U.S.A. in their blood. "There's a lot of Thoroughbred Blood in all of them," explained Johnson.

Chardon While the U.S. drivers were handling their problems Holland's Ijsbrand Chardon, who was leading after dressage, continued his winning ways. Chardon was driving a team of all Dutchbred Warmbloods (KWPN). And although he admitted he was having "a lot of problems with his horses," he managed to keep the lead that Tomas Eriksson was trying to take away from him.

"I tried to do my best. I went as fast as possible because I had a lot to make up to catch Chardon, but he didn't make a mistake," he commented. Eriksson, a Swede, had won the marathon but was not able to take the lead away from Chardon when the scores were combined. Eriksson was driving all Swedish Warmbloods.

Sandmann had no complaints. "I am very happy; my team, my crew and my horses have given the best today."

So, now it was up to the cones.