Only one horse, from Spain, failed to pass the vet inspection. The four USET horses, Giltedge, owned by Jacqueline Mars and ridden by David O'Connor of The Plains, VA; 3 Magic Beans, owned and ridden by Nina Fout of Middleburg, VA; Anderoo, owned by Barbara and James Wiesman and ridden by Linden Wiesman of Bluemont, VA; and Prince Panache, owned by Jacqueline Mars and ridden by Karen O'Connor of The Plains, VA; all passed with flying colors.

"Our horses are ready and we are excited about the start of competition," said USET eventing Team Leader Jim Wolf. "We had a great preparation over the last six weeks here in Australia and we look forward to a great performance."

USET chef d’equipe Captain Mark Phillips announced his starting order of riders: David O'Connor, Nina Fout, Linden Wiesman and Karen O'Connor. The USET will ride 11th of the 12 teams in the competition.

"I put David first because he has so much experience and he knows his horse very well," Captain Phillips said. "Nina's horse is a great cross country horse and I'm confident she’ll get us a score. Linden is third because she's the least experienced and Karen is riding anchor because we know she’ll be ready to do whatever is needed when it is time for her ride. I believe that for this particular group of horses and riders that this is the best sequence."

The dressage phase of the competition is slated to start at 9:30 Saturday morning. David O'Connor and Nina Fout will ride on Saturday with the last two USET riders going on Sunday.

The U.S. riders feel that Monday's cross country course will require concentration at all times. "The course just keeps coming at you," said Wiesman, riding in her first Olympic Games. "You won't be able to lose your focus for a second."

David O'Connor, who teamed with his wide Karen to help win a team Silver Medal in Atlanta in 1996, agreed. "There are 25 good questions out there," he said. "While no one fence is horrific, every single one is a challenge. The medals here will definitely not be determined by dressage."