Tag Archives: Pan American Games

Report from the U.S. Dressage Training Camp for the 2011 Pan American Games

Team USA. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Four team members and two substitutes have spent the last few days training at Hope Greenfield’s Sixteen Hands Farm in New Jersey under the guidance of Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons.

Team members Heather Blitz on Paragon, Marisa Festerling on Big Tyme, Cesar Parra and Grandioso, and Steffen Peters on Weltino’s Magic along with substitute riders Endel Ots and Toscano and Heather Mason on Warsteiner have been putting the finishing touches on their performances before the four team horses depart on Tuesday, October 11.

“The Pan American dressage team members plus two reserves are busy polishing their tests before leaving for Mexico,” said Gribbons. “After training during the week, we had a dress rehearsal on Friday. Each of the six riders performed the team test, the Prix St Georges, in full dress with horses braided and tack inspection as in a regular show. Lisa Schmidt volunteered to be the side judge, and she assisted me in the judging, as well as in the video session and discussions after the test riding.”

This provided the riders valuable feedback on their training as well as the chance to have a final run through the tests. The training camp has also provided the riders the opportunity to come together as a team before they land in Mexico.

“The training will continue through the weekend until departure early next week,” said Gribbons. “We have a very strong field of horses; the riders are getting along beautifully and are ready for the challenge. We are looking forward to the Games.”

The dressage horses will begin their competition on October 15th.

Record Entry for Pan-Americans 2011 in Guadalajara

Lausanne (SUI), 7 October 2011 – A record number of horse-and-rider combinations will compete in the equestrian events at the 16th Pan-American Games which kick off in Guadalajara, Mexico in just over a week’s time, on Sunday 16 October.  This is the world’s largest multi-sport event apart from the summer Olympics, and takes place on a four-year cycle leading up to each Olympic fixture.

Held in accordance with the Olympic Charter and Rules, the Pan-Americans provide Olympic qualification opportunities for athletes in FEI geographical regions D and E – North America and Central/South America. More than 5,000 athletes will take part in 46 different sports and almost 400 events during the two weeks of world-class competition and, in the three equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, a total of 157 partnerships are expected to line out.  The 2011 fixture brings together athletes from 42 countries.

ORIGINS
The first Pan-American Games took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1951, but its origins date back more than 20 years earlier. During an Olympic Congress that coincided with the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France, the members of the International Olympic Committees of Cuba, Guatemala and Mexico proposed the creation of a regional sports event in which Central American countries would participate. This became a reality two years later when Mexico City hosted the first Central American Games.

Then, at the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA, some of the Latin American delegates proposed the staging of regional Games for the Americas, and this led to the first meeting of the Pan American Sports Congress in Buenos Aires in August 1940.  Plans were made for the first Pan-American Games in 1942, but World War II got in the way of that.  However the plans were revived at a congress held in London during the 1948 Olympic Games and, at last, the Pan-Americans became a reality when, in February 1951, more than 2,500 athletes from 22 countries descended on Buenos Aires for the inaugural event.

Continue reading Record Entry for Pan-Americans 2011 in Guadalajara

Changes to the US Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recommended to the USOC the following changes to the entry for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2011 Pan American Games Team.

Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric, currently based in Europe with his rider, U.S. Team veteran Laura Kraut, is no longer available to represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games due to European Union quarantine regulations, transportation and logistics issues.

“I am greatly disappointed that Cedric and I will not be able to represent the United States in the 2011 Pan American Games. After learning about the quarantine restrictions this week, we determined it was not possible to attend.  I have had the honor and privilege of representing our country throughout my career, and I regret that we will miss this important event.”

Kraut and Cedric will be replaced with the Traveling Reserve Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko. Mario Deslauriers (New York, NY) and Jane Forbes Clark’s Urico will now serve as the Traveling Reserve.

The Pan American Games are set to begin on October 16 in Guadalajara, Mexico. More information about the event http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/ and follow the U.S. Riders on the USEF Network here http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

Changes to the U.S. Show Jumping Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games Announced

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the following updates to the U.S. Show Jumping Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games.

Lauren Hough has withdrawn Quick Study from their position as travelling reserve following an uncharacteristic performance at Spruce Meadows in the Grand Prix on September 11, 2011.

The first ranked substitute, Margie Engle and Indigo have also withdrawn.

Therefore, the second ranked substitute, Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) and RCG Farm’s Uceko, will now serve as the travelling reserve.

The athlete/horse combinations named to the team remain unchanged (in ranked order):

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) will ride Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo
McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) will ride Grant Road Partners LLC’s Antares F
Christine McCrea (East Windsor, CT) will ride Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Romantovich Take One
Laura Kraut (Wellington, FL) will ride Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric

The 2011 Pan American Games will take place October 14-30, 2011 in Guadalajara, more information about the Games is available here: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/.

Follow the US Riders on the USEF Network: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

Dr. Cesar Parra Rides Away from Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions on Emotional High and as Member of 2011 U.S. Pan Am Dressage Team

Dr. Cesar Parra and Grandioso during the awards ceremony at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions at Gladstone. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Gladstone, NJ (September 19, 2011) – Dr. Cesar Parra, the international dressage rider who has made no secret about his love for the United States of America, realized a dream come true during the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions when he was named as a member of the 2011 United States Dressage Team headed to the Pan American Games in Mexico. Parra also made history with his Pan Am goal, becoming the first Latin American rider to compete on a United States Dressage Team. The Intermediaire I Championship served as the USEF Selection Trials for the upcoming Games, and Parra rode Michael and Sarah Davis’s Grandioso to third place in the division and to a spot on the team.

Parra, a former dentist from South America who went on to become one of Colombia’s top international riders, moved his family to the United States in 1999 and became an American citizen in 2008. Last year at Gladstone Parra recognized his first dream of becoming an American champion when he rode Lori Washton’s Olympia to the National Intermediaire I Championship. Parra’s second dream, to represent the United States by being a member of the U.S. Dressage Team, has now also become a reality.

“This past weekend was very emotional and exciting for all of us. We had set as a goal to make the USA team for the Pan Am Games, so to accomplish that is wonderful. I feel very blessed to be representing the country that has given my family and I such a wonderful new life,” Parra said. Parra is no stranger to the Pan Am Games as he placed fourth individually at the 2003 Pan Am Games riding for Colombia. As a Colombian rider he also competed in the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games and was named the Colombian National Champion multiple times.

Continue reading Dr. Cesar Parra Rides Away from Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions on Emotional High and as Member of 2011 U.S. Pan Am Dressage Team

Dressage Rider Endel Ots and Toscano Named as Alternates to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

Endel Ots on Toscano. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Gladstone, NJ (September 16, 2011) – Dressage rider Endel Ots rode away from the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions with a successful Small Tour under his belt, as well as being named the alternate for the U.S. Dressage Team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Ots competed Kristin and Steve Cooper’s KWPN gelding Toscano at Gladstone, where the 25-year-old rider held his own against veterans Steffen Peters, Heather Blitz and Cesar Parra.

“The whole weekend was really wonderful. I am very honored and excited to be an alternate. Anne Gribbons told me that both she and Steffen were alternates at one time, and then they made the team in later competitions,” Ots said. “It has been my dream to be part of a team and represent my country in international competition. I am so lucky to have the horse that I’m riding and to have such a great team that stands behind me including my trainer Lars Petersen, Toscano’s owners Kristin and Steve Cooper, Melissa Taylor, Caroline Roffman, my dad and so many others. I owe them the credit.”

Ots and Toscano, or Teddy as he is called, placed fifth at Gladstone in the FEI Intermediaire I Test with a score of 71.053%. The highly respectable placing came in a class dominated by Peters, Blitz and Parra, who will all compete for the U.S. in the Pan Am Games along with Marissa Festerling. “Teddy was super for every ride at Gladstone. I had some mistakes in the Prix. St. George but they were all mine. I got a little too excited in my aids and Teddy made some mistakes. In the Intermediaire I was much more calm. I wanted to show what Teddy could do and it was nice because every judge said ‘the horse and rider in great harmony’,” Ots said, adding that he had a few highlights at the show. “One was when we came out of the ring after our Intermediaire ride Lars said ‘good job’ and that really meant a lot to me.”

Continue reading Dressage Rider Endel Ots and Toscano Named as Alternates to the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

USEF Names Show Jumping Team for 2011 Pan American Games

Gladstone, NJ – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has recommended the following athlete/horse combinations to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to represent the United States on the U.S. Show Jumping Team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The USOC will make the following entry of athlete/horse combinations today (they are named in ranked order):

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) will ride Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo

McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) will ride Grant Road Partners LLC’s Antares F

Christine McCrea (East Windsor, CT) will ride Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Romantovich Take One

Laura Kraut (Wellington, FL) will ride Happy Hill Farm’s Cedric

Lauren Hough (Wellington, FL) will be the travelling reserve with Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Quick Study

The following four athlete/horse combinations have been named as ranked substitutes and will be submitted as part of the Nominated Entry:

Margie Engle (Wellington, FL) with Garber, Griese, Hidden Creek Farm and Gladewinds Farm’s Indigo

Kent Farrington (Chicago, IL) with RCG Farm’s Uceko

Mario Deslauriers (New York, NY) with Jane F. Clark’s Urico

Kirsten Coe (Johnston, SC) with Ilan Ferder’s Tristan

Kate Levy (Wellington, FL) with Kate Levy LLC’s Vent du Nord

The 2011 Pan American Games will run October 14-30, 2011 in Guadalajara; more information about the Games is available here: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/.

Follow the USEF Riders on the USEF Network: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

USEF Names Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games

Gladstone, NJ – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has recommended the following athlete/horse combinations to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to represent the United States on the U.S. Dressage Team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The USOC will make the following entry of athlete/horse combinations on Monday (they are named in ranked order):

1. Steffen Peters will ride Jen and Bruce Hlavacek’s Weltino’s Magic

2. Heather Blitz will ride her own Paragon

3. Dr. Cesar Parra will ride Michael and Sarah Davis’ Grandioso

4. Marissa Festerling will ride her own Big Tyme

The following four athlete/horse combinations have been named as ranked substitutes and will be submitted as part of the Nominated Entry:

5. Endel Ots will ride Kristin Cooper’s Toscano

6. Shawna Harding will ride her own Rigo

7. Heather Mason will ride her own Warsteiner

8. Lisa Wilcox will ride Horses Unlimited’s Pikko del Cerro HU

The 2011 Pan American Games will run October 14-30, 2011 in Guadalajara; more information about the Games is available here: http://www.guadalajara2011.org.mx/ENG/01_inicio/.

Follow the USEF Riders on the USEF Network: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/.

Steffen Peters Sweeps the Prix St. Georges and the Grand Prix Special at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

Steffen Peters and Weltino's Magic. Photos: SusanJStickle.com

Gladstone, NJ – Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) dominated the day at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions winning both the Prix St. Georges and the Grand Prix Special with Weltino’s Magic and Ravel respectively. A veteran superstar for the U.S. Dressage Team over the last 10 years, Peters proved that not only is Ravel on top form, but that Weltino’s Magic’s winning streak is still going strong.

“That’s a first,” said Peters of scoring an 80% and a 79% on his two horses.

With selection for the 2011 Pan American Games on the line, there was everything to play for in the Intermediaire I National Dressage Championship and Peters dominated the Prix St. Georges test which serves as the first leg of this three-part Championship.  He rode Jen Hlavacek’s Weltino’s Magic to a record score in this specific Championship scoring 79.789% for a huge win.

“I was happy in Aachen,” said Peters. “It was his first time in a really big stadium and in his earlier days he could be a bit spooky… I thought he would be able to handle this arena and he did. He was soft in the bridle, he’s not always the most supple, but today he was.”

Weltino’s Magic put in an excellent test and Peters was impressed with how much the horse, which his wife Shannon rode at the beginning of his career, has matured. He was the 2008 Reserve Champion in the Markel/USEF National Young Horse Dressage Championship with Shannon and she believed in him from the beginning.

Continue reading Steffen Peters Sweeps the Prix St. Georges and the Grand Prix Special at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

Entries Confirmed for the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions

Lexington, KY – With six USEF National Dressage Championships and selection for U.S. Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games on the line, the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions is the place to be September 8-11, 2011.

The USET Foundation Headquarters plays host to the prestigious event in Gladstone, NJ which is headlined by the Grand Prix National Dressage Championships and the Intermediaire I National Dressage Championship (which also serves as the USEF Selection Trial for the U.S. Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games).

Returning to vie for the title in the Grand Prix is Ravel. The most decorated American dressage horse in history makes his first trip to compete at Gladstone for owners Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farms. With Steffen Peters, the 13-year-old Dutch gelding was the 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF National Grand Prix Champion (contested in California), the 2009 Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year, he won the FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 2009 and swept the CHIO Aachen that same year, he was also double Individual Bronze medalist at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Peters (San Diego, CA) will be looking to add another National Championship title to the horse’s resume – and 2011 marks a first for Ravel as well as a return for Peters. Peters hasn’t competed at Gladstone since he won the 2007 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Grand Prix National Championships with Lombardi.

Continue reading Entries Confirmed for the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions