Ottawa, Ontario – October 22, 2003 - The Canadian Eventing Team is set to begin competition in the 2003 Pan American Eventing Championships held October 22-26 during the CCIO*** Fair Hill International Three Day Event in Fair Hill, Maryland.

The four horse-rider combinations that will comprise the Canadian Eventing Team are Hawley Bennett of Langley, BC, riding Livingstone, Bruce Mandeville of Puslinch, ON, riding Larissa, Penny Rowland of Orangeville, ON, riding Aberdare and Michael Winter of Toronto, ON, riding Balista. The best three out of four team members’ scores will be counted towards the final team results. The Canadian Eventing Team is coached by International Technical Advisor Jim Wofford, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and Pan Am gold medallist.

At Wednesday’s horse inspection, all four Canadian Eventing Team horses were presented and will now move forward to the opening phase of competition, dressage, to be held on Friday. The demanding cross-country phase takes place Saturday while the third and final phase of stadium jumping will be held Sunday afternoon. Similar to a triathlon, horse-rider combinations compete in three distinct phases held over three consecutive days.

As three day eventing was not included in the Pan American Games programme in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, due to a number of factors, the Pan American Championships are being organized in conjunction with the annual CCI*** Fair Hill International Three Day Event in Fair Hill, Maryland. Countries not already qualified for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, will be hoping to earn their Olympic berth.

While 26 horse-rider combinations representing Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United States are competing in the Pan American Eventing Championships division, an additional 70 are contesting the CCI*** Fair Hill International Three Day Event, including several Canadian entries. Stuart Black of Bluemont, VA, riding Polaris, Lesley Grant of Mount Albert, ON, riding Snappy and Timber Spirit, Suzy Pettman of Westbank, BC, riding Kilcoltrim and Sambucca, Walter Reynolds of Upperco, MD, riding Stonehenge, Rowland riding Roundabout, Garry Roque of Caledon East, ON, riding Waikura, and Amanda Vines of Langley, BC, riding Simon Says will all begin dressage competition in the CCI*** division beginning Thursday.

Proud supporters of the Canadian Eventing Team include Abbott Laboratories, Bayer Healthcare, Boogaloo Brushing Boots, Can-Pro Horse Equipment (Bahr’s Saddlery), E.W. Tack, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Merial Canada Inc., and Phoenix Performance Products.