GUADALAJARA, Mexico – The five riders on the U.S. Eventing Team travelled to the Santa Sofia Country Club and impressively extended their lead at the Pan American Games. All five produced fault-free rounds over John Williams’ cross country track adding nothing to their 138.6 team total from dressage. They head into Sunday’s show jumping phase nearly 22 points clear of the second-placed Canadian team. Dressage Leader Jessica Phoenix of Canada still leads the individual standings with a score of 43.9 on Pavarotti, but the U.S. occupies five of the top six positions.
The first combination on course for the U.S. squad, Buck Davidson (Ocala, FL) and Absolute Liberty, set the tone for the day by making easy work of the track, adding no penalties. Davidson, son of World and Pan American Games champion Bruce Davidson, added to his own legacy by guiding Shannon Will’s 8-year-old mare to a double clear round despite riding with one stirrup on the last section of the course after his right stirrup broke.
“She was amazing every place she needed to look after me she did,” said Davidson. “What more could you ask of her? She did everything like it was a training level.”
Continue reading US Eventing Team Extends Lead at 2011 Pan American Games