Ottawa, ON — Following the very successful CCI/CIC Rebecca Farm Three Day Event, in Kalispell, Montana, July 22–24th, where Canadians took top honours in four of the five international divisions, the Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee announces additions to the Canadian Eventing Squad for the Pan American Games, October 21 – 23, 2011.

The initial Squad comprised of six horse/rider combinations was named on July 12, 2011. Under the selection criteria—prior to August 31, 2011—additional rider/horse combinations could be named to the Eventing Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games by the Equine Canada/Canadian Eventing High Performance Committee Selectors.  In order to be considered by the selectors, the rider/horse combination must have achieved a Certificate of Capability for the 2011 Pan American Games and would be evaluated according to the conditions described in the criteria.  Winning performances by Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti and James Atkinson with Gustav at Rebecca Farm earned them positions on the Squad. The 2011 Pan American Games eventing championship will be held at the Club Hipica and Santa Sophia Country Club in Guadalajara, Mexico. Rdiers and horses currently named to the Squad (in alphabetical order) are:Rider-Hometown    Horse   Owner

• James Atkinson, Mountain Road, MB    Gustav, 1999 chestnut Oldenburg/TB     Carolyn Hoffos
• Hawley Bennett-Awad, Langley, BC     Five O’Clock Somewhere   Rider Sue Church &  Kimberley Barron
• Rebecca Howard, Salmon Arm, BC     Roquefort, 1998, black, KWPN /TB gelding    Rider & The Fork Stables                                         
• Micheline Jordan, Ottawa, ON     Irish Diamonds, 1998, bay,  Canadian TB gelding     Rider                                              
• Jordan McDonald, Oakville, ON      Apple Cider, 1999, dark bay,  Canadian KWPN /TB gelding    Amanda & Jorge Bernhard                                 
• Danica Moore, Salmon Arm, BC      Utah B, 2001, bay, KWPN gelding    Rider
• Selena O’Hanlon, Elgin,  Foxwood High, 2003, bay,   Canadian Sport Horse, gelding   John Rumble
• Jessica Phoenix , Uxbridge ON     Pavarotti, 2002 bay Westphalian gelding   Don J. Good                                         

Under the selection criteria—prior to August 31, 2011—additional rider/horse combinations may be named to the Eventing Squad for the 2011 Pan American Games by the EC/CE HPC Selectors.  In order to be considered by the Selectors, the rider/horse combination must have achieved a Certificate of Capability for the 2011 Pan American Games and would be evaluated according to the conditions described in the criteria.  For rider biographies, visit web site www.equinecanada.ca.    The Squad will participate in a training sessions, preparatory competitions throughout the summer leading up to the final training camp which will take place in October prior to the Games. The final team of up to five rider /horse combinations and alternates will be named in late August. The team trains under the leadership of David O’Connor, International Technical Advisor.  Eventing Chef d’équipe, Graeme Thom; stable manager, Debbie Furnas; team veterinarian, Dr. Christiana Ober; team , farrier  Randy Pawlak  will accompany and provide support to the team throughout the Games.The Canadian Eventing Committee is grateful to Own the Podium, Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and all of its sponsors, supporters, suppliers and friends for their continued support of the Canadian Eventing Team in its quest for excellence. The Olympic sport of eventing encompasses three separate tests: dressage, cross-country, and show jumping held consecutively. Each test ridden by the rider and horse in combination is scored individually but added together for the final results. The rider/horse combination with the fewest number of penalty points over the three days wins the competition.  At the 2011 Pan American Games each eligible nation may compete up to five rider/horse combinations in the team and individual competition (with the best three scores to count towards the final team classification)  Nations which are unable to field a team may send one or rider/horse combinations to compete in the individual competition. Provisional Schedule for the Pan American Games Eventing Competition

• Friday, October 21   Dressage                                       
• Saturday, October 22    Cross Country
• Sunday, October 23   Show Jumping- Victory Ceremony—Team and Individual

For specific times and competition details and results consult the Organizing Committee website www.guadalajara2011.org.mx  or the FEI web site www.fei.org. About Canadian EventingCanadian Eventing is the committee of Equine Canada responsible for the sport of eventing in Canada from the grassroots to the international level. The Canadian Eventing Committee is comprised of 12 members, including two rider representatives elected by the Elite Riders Association. Directed by the Strategic Plan for Eventing, all Eventing activities are administered by this committee via six sub-committees with the support of an eventing manager based at the Equine Canada office in Ottawa. For more information about Canadian Eventing, visit www.equinecanada.ca/eventing. About Equine CanadaEquine Canada is Canada’s national governing body for equestrianism.  A member-driven, charitable institution, it is the executive branch of the Canadian Equestrian Team, and the national authority for equestrian competition; the national voice for recreational riders; and the national association for equine welfare, breeding, and industry.  Equine Canada is recognised by the Government of Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), and the Canadian Olympic Committee as the national organisation representing equestrian sport and equine interests. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.Photo: Rebecca Howard, Salmon Arm, BC and Roquefort by Cealy Tetley