2002 World Equestrian Games

U.S. Show Jumper Peter Wylde Makes It To the Final Four at the 2002 World Equestrian Games

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain–September 21, 2002 – After qualifying for the Final Four, Peter Wylde of the United States is in the hunt for the individual World Championship Show Jumping title at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. For the first time in 12 years, an American has made it to the Final Four, the last time being in 1990 when Greg Best and Gem Twist qualified in Stockholm, Sweden.

Wylde, who currently resides in Maastricht, Holland, riding Fein Cera, owned by the Fein Cera Group, led the standings going into the third individual Show Jumping Qualifier and was the last to jump in the first round. As all riders start with a clean slate in Sunday’s Final Four, all Wylde had to do was stay amongst the top four.

“I was incredibly nervous,” said Wylde. “When I entered the ring, the announcer said that I had two rails in hand. That made me very happy.”

Wylde made use of the cushion. Despite having one knock-down in the first round, Wylde and Fein Cera were in second place heading into Round Two.

Several riders in the early going had rails down making it look like anyone was eligible for the Final Four. One of the first to gain momentum was Dermott Lennon of Ireland, who moved up from sixth to fourth in the second round, despite incurring four faults. Eric Levallois of France was in fourth place for the first round, but had two rails down and looked to be out of the running. Helena Lundback of Sweden started out in third place and fell back to seventh for Round Two. Eric Navet of France went clear and moved into the lead spot going into the second round.

More rails hit the ground to increase the excitement in Round Two, especially for Lundback. She went clear and became the first woman to make the Final Four since Gail Greenough in 1986 at Aachen, Germany. Lennon had one rail, but still moved up into third position. Wylde had another rail, but was able to stay in second. Navet had only three time faults, to keep the top spot.

“I have worked all of my life to get here,” said Wylde, an individual Silver Medalist at the 1999 Pan American Games. “I never thought I would make it. It’s a great feeling to be here. I am absolutely thrilled and my horse was wonderful. This is a huge deal.”

The Final Round of competition at the World Championship to determine the individual medals is unique. All four competitors ride their own horse in the first round, and then take turns on each of the other horses, for a total of sixteen rounds.