U.S. Sixth in Team Vaulting So Far

September 11, 2002 — Vaulting competition
began on Wednesday at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la
Frontera, Spain. After the first round of compulsories, the U.S. team,
Free Artists Creative Equestrians (FACE) of Moorpark, CA, stands in
sixth with a score of 6.668.

The German team is currently in the lead with a score of 7.437,
Switzerland is in

second scoring 7.339 and the team from Sweden is in third with a score
of 7.073.

Individually, two U.S. athletes are in the top ten. Pamela Geislen of
Diamond Bar, CA is in eighth in the women?s division with a score of
7.835 and Devon Maitozo of Acton, CA is in tenth in the men?s division
with a score of 8.083.

Maitozo is appearing in his sixth World Championship and was crowned
Individual World Champion at the World Equestrian Games in 1998 in Rome,
Italy. Maitozo is also the coach for the FACE team.

Pamela Geisler is also a veteran of vaulting competing since the age of
six and is making her fifth trip to the World Championships. Geisler was
happy with her performance in the compulsories, but is really looking
forward to the Freestyle competition on Thursday.

“My performance today was pretty good,” said Geisler. “But I am really
excited about the Kur, that’s my strong point. It’s nice to be here
though, with all of the other disciplines.”

Team manager Carolyn Bland compares the sport of Vaulting to a
“brilliant dance on a moving stage.” Bland feels the US team will do
well under the auspices of coach Maitozo and is also looking forward to
the Freestyle.

“The U.S. Team is strong,” said Bland. “They have a lot of surprises in
store for the Freestyle.”

Vaulting competition continues on Thursday with team and
individual Freestyle competition. Eventing also gets going with the
first day of Dressage. The Grand Prix Dressage competition that
determines the team medal concludes on Thursday.

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, vaulters 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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