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August 21, 2004 2:26 pm

Idaho equestrian sparks U.S. to bronze

By KEVIN TRESOLINI

Gannett News Service

MARKOPOULO, Greece - Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho, keyed the United States' bronze medal finish in the equestrian grand prix team dressage competition that concluded Saturday at the Summer Olympics.

McDonald, who will turn 50 on Friday, was the high U.S. scorer and fifth overall with a 73.375 percent score on her horse Brentina. The team competition is also the first qualifier for individual medals.

Germany won gold with a 78.208 percent score, followed by Spain (72.917) and the U.S. (71.500).

"I was hoping for a better score, but I am quite happy with my performance," McDonald said. "I felt very good out there and kept the energy going, but I did feel a lot of pressure."

Joining her on the U.S. team were Lisa Wilcox, Guenter Seidel and Robert Dover, who had the seventh highest individual score.

"Debbie did the best test I have ever seen her doing," said Dover, who termed McDonald's "the ride of her life."

McDonald won the 2003 World Cup and 1999 Pan Am Games individual titles in dressage.

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