2002 World Equestrian Games

Riders From Ireland, France and The USA Win Individual Titles in Show Jumping

Lennon, Navet and Wylde Claim Gold, Silver and Bronze in Show Jumping

"I really wanted to go in the Finals," commented Ireland's Dermott Lennon after he won the Individual Gold in the Show Jumping Finals. The Silver went to a Frenchman, Eric Navet, who had won the title in 1990 at the Stockholm World Equestrian Games. Peter Wylde claimed the Bronze Medal.

After these three riders and Helena Lundback from Sweden had qualified to compete among the Final Four riders for the World Championship title they first had to draw for position. Then they would compete over the same course four times; once on their own horse and then on each of the other riders' horses. When it was over, Lennon totaled the least amount of faults only dropping one rail. Navet dropped two rails and Peter three. Lundback had bad luck first dropping one pole on her own horse, Utfors Mynta who at only 15.3 hands was the smallest of the four horses, and then three rails on Liscalgot, Lennon's horse.

After their rounds the riders were asked what they thought of the other rider's horses. Dermott jokingly responded, "I found my own horse the easiest." But then he continued saying, "Eric's horse (Dollar du Murier HTS de Seine) I really like. Peter's mare (Fein Cera) was really nice…lovely to ride and in the ring so sensitive. Helena's horse wasn't difficult to ride. I found it quite nice."