Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The Canadian Show Jumping Team comprised of Mac Cone of King City, ON, Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, ON, Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, ON, and Ian Millar of Perth, ON, is in gold medal position following the first round of competition held Thursday at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Competing against nine other countries, Canada kept the pressure on with four strong performances to move into the lead with a score of 2.72 penalties. The home team of Brazil is currently in second position with 5.67 penalties, staying just ahead of Mexico, currently third with 5.89. A surprising refusal at the first jump from Todd Minikus’ mount Pavarotti, the last horse on course, prevented the United States from finishing in the top three, dropping the defending champions into fourth position with a score of 10.20 penalties.

“We’re in good shape,” said Canadian Show Jumping Team Chef d’Equipe Terrance Millar, who predicts that Friday’s team final, a two-round Nations’ Cup, will be “quite difficult and technical.”

Advertisement