Ottawa, Canada – October 08, 2023 – Equestrian Canada has released a statement announcing the Canadian team for the upcoming 2023 Pan-American Games in Santiago, Chile. Team Canada’s first appearance in equestrian at the Pan American Games was at Chicago 1959 and since then showjumpers have won 19 medals for the Maple Leaf.
The primary objective at this year’s Games will be to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. For the jumping discipline, the top three countries in the team event who are not yet qualified will earn an Olympic team berth for three athletes and horses.
“The discipline teams have worked extremely hard as individuals and together to get to the Pan American Games. As our last opportunity to qualify teams for Paris, these Games are very important to our program. Even with this level of pressure, we are incredibly confident that our athlete combinations will rise to the occasion,” said James Hood, Director of High Performance at EC. “Canada has a strong history at the Pan Am Games and we have no doubt the performances in Santiago will be no different. We have incredible support teams on the ground at the Games to ensure both humans and horses are given the best opportunities to perform. As part of the team around the team, the owners and supporters will also be in place at Games and at home to cheer on Team Canada! Without the daily support teams, our athletes (human and horse) would not be able to compete and thrive, so thank you to the coaches, owners, grooms/staff and families that make this possible.”
Canadian Showjumping Team
Jumping Alternate Athletes:
Erynn Ballard (CAN) & Gakhir (Tottenham, Ontario, Canada) – Jumping Reserve
Showjumping is scheduled to take place on October 31, November 1 and November 3 (Days 11, 12 and 14), at the Escuela de Equitación Regimiento Granaderos in Quillota, Chile.
“Team Canada’s equestrian stars – I’m so excited to welcome you to the team! I just love horses and your sport is the embodiment of grace, partnership and pure elegance,” said Christine Girard, Team Canada’s Santiago 2023 Chef de Mission. “In the arena of the Pan Am Games, may your horses be swift, your hearts be steady, and your journeys be marked by the beauty of unity between human and horse.”
Prior to being named to Team Canada, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Organisations.
The latest Team Canada Santiago 2023 roster can be found here.
Source: Press Release from Equestrian Canada
Photo: © Equestrian Canada
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