Following the very successful CCI/CIC Rebecca Farm Three Day Event, in Kalispell, Montana, July 22–24th, where Canadians took top honours in four of the five international divisions, the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee announces additions to the Canadian Eventing Squad for the Pan American Games, October 21 – 23, 2011.
The initial Squad comprised of six horse/rider combinations was named on July 12, 2011. Under the selection criteria—prior to August 31, 2011—additional rider/horse combinations could be named to the Eventing Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games by the Equine Canada/Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee Selectors. In order to be considered by the selectors, the rider/horse combination must have achieved a Certificate of Capability for the 2011 Pan American Games and would be evaluated according to the conditions described in the criteria.
Winning performances by Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti and James Atkinson with Gustav at Rebecca Farm earned them positions on the Squad.
The 2011 Pan American Games eventing championship will be held at the Club Hipica and Santa Sophia Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Riders and horses currently named to the Squad (in alphabetical order) are:
Rider, hometown / Horse / Owner
James Atkinson, Mountain Road, MB / Gustav, 1999 chestnut Oldenburg/TB Gelding / Carolyn Hoffos
Hawley Bennett-Awad, Langley, BC / Five O’Clock Somewhere, 2001, bay, American TB gelding / Rider , Sue Church & Kimberley Barron
Rebecca Howard, Salmon Arm, BC / Roquefort, 1998, black, KWPN /TB gelding / Rider & The Fork Stables
Micheline Jordan, Ottawa, ON / Irish Diamonds, 1998, bay, Canadian TB gelding / Rider
Jordan McDonald, Oakville, ON / Apple Cider, 1999, dark bay, Canadian KWPN /TB gelding / Amanda & Jorge Bernhard
Danica Moore, Salmon Arm, BC / Utah B, 2001, bay, KWPN gelding / Rider
Selena O’Hanlon, Elgin, ON / Foxwood High, 2003, bay, Canadian Sport Horse, gelding / John Rumble
Jessica Phoenix, Uxbridge ON / Pavarotti, 2002 bay Westphalian gelding / Don J. Good
Under the selection criteria—prior to August 31, 2011—additional rider/horse combinations may be named to the Eventing Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games by the EC/CE HPC Selectors. In order to be considered by the Selectors, the rider/horse combination must have achieved a Certificate of Capability for the 2011 Pan American Games and would be evaluated according to the conditions described in the criteria.
For rider biographies, visit web site http://www.equinecanada.ca/.
The Squad will participate in a training sessions, preparatory competitions throughout the summer leading up to the final training camp which will take place in October prior to the Games. The final team of up to five rider /horse combinations and alternates will be named in late August.
The team trains under the leadership of David O’Connor, International Technical Advisor. Eventing Chef d’équipe, Graeme Thom; stable manager, Debbie Furnas; team veterinarian, Dr. Christiana Ober; team , farrier Randy Pawlak will accompany and provide support to the team throughout the Games.
The Canadian Eventing Committee is grateful to Own the Podium, Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and all of its sponsors, supporters, suppliers and friends for their continued support of the Canadian Eventing Team in its quest for excellence.
The Olympic sport of eventing encompasses three separate tests: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping held consecutively. Each test ridden by the rider and horse in combination is scored individually but added together for the final results. The rider/horse combination with the fewest number of penalty points over the three days wins the competition.
At the 2011 Pan American Games each eligible nation may compete up to five rider/horse combinations in the team and individual competition (with the best three scores to count towards the final team classification) Nations which are unable to field a team may send one or rider/horse combinations to compete in the individual competition.
Provisional Schedule for the Pan American Games Eventing Competition
Friday, October 21 Dressage
Saturday, October 22 Cross Country
Sunday, October 23 Show Jumping
Victory Ceremony—Team and Individual
For specific times and competition details and results consult the Organizing Committee website http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ or the FEI web site http://www.fei.org/.
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