McLain Ward Withdraws Contagious From Pan American Games

Lexington, Ky.– US Equestrian regrets to announce that McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) has withdrawn Contagious for the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. The 10-year-old Deutches Sportpferd gelding owned by Beechwood Stables LLC., sustained an injury and will be unable to compete at the Games.

As a result, Lucy Deslauriers (New York, N.Y.) and Hester, Lisa Deslauriers’s 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, originally named as the traveling reserve, will compete. Richard Spooner (Agua Dulce, Calif.) and Quirado RC, Show Jumping Syndication International’s 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, will replace them as the traveling reserve combination. They join the following athlete-and-horse combinations nominated for the Pan American Games U.S. Jumping Team, previously announced.

Alex Granato(Wellington, Fla.) with Carlchen W, Paige Tredennick’s 11-year-old Warmblood gelding.

Eve Jobs(Los Altos Hills, Calif.) with Venue d’Fees des Hazalles, her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare.

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) with Breitling LS, Abigail Wexner’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion; Coach, Wexner’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding; or Darry Lou, Wexner’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion.

The 2019 U.S. Pan American Jumping Team is subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.

The jumping competition will take place August 6-9 at the Equestrian Club Militar La Molina. The 18th edition of the Pan American Games will gather around 6,700 athletes, who will participate in 39 sports and 61 disciplines, of which 22 disciplines are qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The U.S. Jumping Team secured qualification for Tokyo as a result of winning team gold at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018.

"I hadn’t thought about that streak until seeing this article, but unfortunately Contagious has had an untimely injury and withdrawing is the correct choice for the horse and the team. It’s certainly disappointing for all of us involved with Contagious as he has been showing great form leading up to this championships. However he will be back after some time off and I want to thank Lise and Annie Revers as well as Max Amaya for their incredible support. Our team will do there best to make sure Contagious returns in his best form.

I am proud that my student Lucy Deslauriers is getting the opportunity to represent our country at this major championships, something she and her family have worked very hard to be prepared for and achieve. I have no doubt she will do us proud. The entire team behind me and Contagious will be supporting and cheering on our team to success.

372 days to Tokyo 2020
I’m not done yet "

View more information about the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.