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Kappler
Named USET Athlete of the Month for August
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Gladstone, NJSeptember 3, 2003Chris Kappler of Pittstown,
NJ, was named United States Equestrian Team (USET) Athlete of
the Month for August after he and Royal Kaliber, owned by Kathy
Kamine, helped the U.S. win the team Gold Medal in show jumping
at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the Dominican
Republic. That Gold Medal resulted in the U.S. being able to send
a squad to the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
In team competition, Kappler turned in two penalty-free rides
including the ride that clinched the Gold! Kappler then went on
to win the individual Silver Medal. This was the first time that
Kappler had ever ridden at a major international games.
"It
was a super day," he said. "The goal was to qualify
for the Olympics first and then it was to win the team gold. Thanks
to everyone on the team, we accomplished that goal."
The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization
that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest
possible standard to represent our country in major international
competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development
of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides
the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest
potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908)
234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org
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