updated 6:44 p.m. ET Aug. 26, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - A few early stumbles kept the United States from getting another equestrian medal on Wednesday.

Debbie McDonald of Hailey, Idaho, finished fourth in the individual dressage competition, done in by a couple of early mistakes on her horse Brentina.

Instead of getting another medal to go with the Americans’ silver in team show jumping from Tuesday night, the United States had to deal with a near-miss.

“I’m not happy with myself,” McDonald said. “I’m happy with my horse. The early problems definitely made me concerned. My body wasn’t working with my brain.”

Anky van Grunsven and her horse Salinero won the gold by finishing first in the musical freestyle program. Ulla Salzgeber of Germany had been leading to that point on her horse Rusty, but wound up settling for silver.

Van Grunsven finished at 79.278 percent, with Salzgeber at 78.833 percent. Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat on Beauvalais got the bronze at 76.667 percent.

The United States barely missed out on its first individual dressage medal since 1932. In addition to McDonald’s fourth-place finish, Robert Dover of Wellington, Fla., came in sixth at 74.713 percent on his horse Kennedy.

Guenter Seidel of Del Mar, Calif., finished 14th overall earlier in the day on Aragon with 71.447 percent.

“It was an electric atmosphere,” Seidel said. “He proved he could handle it. He’ll just need more experience. The judges know him now and think he’s a good horse.”

Equestrian - Individual Dressage (medals: Aug. 25th) Medal Athlete Country Result Gold Anky van Grunsven Netherlands 79.278 Silver Ulla Salzgeber Germany 78.833 Bronze Beatriz Ferrer-Salat Spain 76.667 NBCO: Schedules, preliminary result and complete final results

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