The Venues

OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park
Riders got a chance to test out the upgraded facilities at Caledon Equestrian Park during the Classic @ Palgrave Phase 1, May 12-17. With the third and final phase of construction in the finishing stages, the park is ready to go. (Note that the prefix “OLG” is a temporary designation due to the major PanAm sponsorship of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation).

“It’s very exciting. Everything is looking great. People will finally get to see the finished product, including the new indoor arena complex and the completed FEI barn,” said Collins. “These upgrades are going to allow us to expand our programming through the summer and even into the winter months.”

Since 2012, three new competition and warm-up rings with world-class footing have been added, a new viewing pavilion and VIP seating area, barn, and office space. The spacious new arena will be used as additional stabling during the Games and then footing will be installed in time for use at fall competitions.

There is no public transit available to this venue, but parking for 5,000 vehicles will be available off-site at the Albion Hills Conservation Authority, about 2 km south of CEP, with shuttles running regularly. Collins notes that there will be multiple food concessions, a souvenir store and eight tack shop vendors housed in two convenient spectator plazas for browsing during breaks in the action.

Competition schedule at CEP
Dressage: July 11, 12, 14
Eventing Dressage: July 17
Eventing Stadium: July 19
Show Jumping: July 21, 23, 25

Pan Am Cross-Country Centre at Will O’Wind
Saturday, July 18th

Construction of the cross-country course at Will O’Wind Farm in Mono, ON, recently wrapped up.

The 2* ‘championship-level’ cross-country course was designed by Wayne Copping of Australia and features two water jumps and an array of ditches, drops, and banks totalling 36 jumping efforts. Many of the obstacles constructed by Eric Bull of ETB Equine Construction in Scottsville, VA, are Canadian-themed.

The bulk of the jumps arrived from the US on May 19th; Bull said he hoped to have them all in place by May 27th, and then it was just a case of “grow and mow, grow and mow.” He was pleased with the property, saying “The footing is fantastic – as good as anywhere I’ve been in the world.” He is confident that if cross-country day is beset with an all-day deluge such as Rolex Kentucky was, they’ll still be in good shape. “If it’s going to rain, this is a good venue for it.”

Farm owner Geoff Morgan says there will be portable stabling for up to 60 horses, food trucks and a souvenir kiosk, but no vendors. Transit is not available to/from this venue, but parking for about 5,000 cars is available at a property immediately to the north (and within walking distance).

For more information about the Toronto Pan Am Games, go to www.toronto2015.org

The Pan Am Athletes

Dressage
The Pan American Equestrian Counsel (PAEC) established a new dressage format for the 2015 Pan American Games, with teams of four consisting of Small Tour (Prix St. Georges, Intermediate I and Intermediate Freestyle) and a maximum of two Large Tour (Grand Prix, Grand Prix Freestyle, Grand Prix Special).

Current Canadians w/4 qualifying scores:

Small Tour
Diane Creech, Robbie W
Chris Von Martels, Zilverstar
Belinda Trussell, Tattoo 15
Brittany Fraser, All In

Big Tour
Belinda Trussell, Anton
Megan Lane, Caravella
Karen Pavicic, Don Daiquiri
Jill Irving, Degas 12

Eventing

Likely candidates for selection:
Colleen Loach, Qorry Blue D’Argouges
Kyle Carter, FR’s Trust Fund
Karl Slezak, Fernhill Dutch Design
Lesley Grant-Law, What Law
Waylon Roberts, Bill Owen
Tik Maynard, Dutch Times
James Atkinson, Nabouco De Lessay
(Because the qualification period was not over as we went to press, this list may be subject to change.)

Jumping

Likely candidates for selection:
Eric Lamaze
Ian Millar
Tiffany Foster
Yann Candele

Qualified Nations

Jumping (55 combinations)
Team: Canada, USA, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico. Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Peru
Individuals: Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Uruguay, Ecuador, Bermuda

Dressage (45 combinations)
Team: Canada, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica
Individuals: Ecuador, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Bermuda, Honduras

Eventing (50 combinations)
Team: Canada, USA, Guatemala, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile. Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador
Individuals: El Salvador, Puerto Rico

Other Pan Am Attractions

Horse Experience 2015
A Canadian horse industry showcase – Horse Experience 2015 – will be held in Ontario during July 2015, in parallel with the Pan American Games in the Orangeville/Caledon/Mono area. Horse Experience 2015 will demonstrate the diverse range of horse-related activities available in Canada and the quality horses available from Canadian breeders for both domestic and international customers.

To date, some of the activities include:

  • Headwaters-area stable tours, Standardbred Canada farm tour, Ontario Veterinary College and Equine Guelph tours, Ajax Downs Day at the Races, Grand River Night at the Races
  • Dressage exhibitions at Grelo Farms
  • OEF Summer Showcase, a demonstration of breeds and disciplines at the Orangeville Event Centre (OES) in Orangeville, ON
  • “Manhunter” Conestoga Horseback Adventures
  • Exhibition polo match at Toronto Polo Club
  • RAM Rodeo at OES
  • Canadian Select Warmblood & Sport Horse Sale at OES
  • Grass Roots Eventing Showcase and Event Horse Sale at Myrddin
  • Learn-to-Play-Polo clinic at Bancroft Farm

Check out the complete calendar of events at horseexperience.ca/calendar/