|
2004 Paralympic Games - Dressage
Criddle Takes Second Gold in Paralympic Grade III Freestyle
September 24, 2004
Deborah Criddle (GBR) followed in the footsteps of her countryman and fellow team member Lee Pearson.
Criddle prevailed in the Individual Freestyle test in Grade III and won her second gold medal at these Paralympic Games.
"I am really surprised with the marks I have been given," Criddle said. "They are very high but this is not a personal best for me. I have reached 84% in the European Championships in Portugal two years ago. I didn't expect to do that good, because I was nervous. I didn't have time to set up the horse due to the fact that the music started quickly.
The British rider put on a great show in the afternoon session at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre and with 81.722% topped the competition with a huge margin to separate her from second-placed rider Bettina Eistel (GER).
The German rider, bronze medallist in the Individual Championship, was the leader until half way through. Eistel had a superb programme, receiving 77.778% by the judges, in a test she later described as the ride of her life.
Bert Vermeir (BEL), after suffering a drama on Tuesday when he just missed out a medal, won his first-ever Paralympic medal, a bronze. The Belgian rider was awarded 74.722% and left Marita Hird (AUS) in fourth place.
"Today I did a lot better than in the Individual Championship," Vermeir said. "There were some mistakes, but luckily they didn't cost much and I was able to correct them."
The host country representative, Nikolaos SigkasS, came 14th amongst sixteen riders - with 61.278%.
Germany's Bianca Vogel, the silver medallist in the Individual Championship and Criddle's main rival before the competition started, failed to finish her programme. She didn't feel well in the middle of her test, and despite the fact that her coach urged her to conclude her programme, she elected to abandon her effort.
Back to the Olympic Index
|
