U.S. show-jumpers win gold in Hong Kong

BEIJING -- A Canadian rider knocked down a fence in the jump-off while U.S. riders were flawless, enabling the United States to defend its gold medal in Olympic equestrian team show jumping Monday in Hong Kong.

McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., on Sapphire, and Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, N.Y., on Authentic, were returning from the team that won in Athens in 2004. Others receiving gold medals for their efforts were Laura Kraut of Wellington, Fla., on Authentic, and Will Simpson of Thousand Oaks, on Carlsson von Dach.

Canada finished second and Norway was third in the competition held at the Beijing Games' equestrian venue in Hong Kong.

-- Randy Harvey

Photo:  The U.S. gold medal team, from left, Will Simpson, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden and McLain Ward wins the team jumping competition at the Beijing Games' equestrian venue in Hong Kong. Credit: Julian Herbert / Getty Images