Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - August 6, 2003 - Equestrian events at the Pan American Games are underway with Canada taking the early lead following the first day of competition in dressage.

Held over two days to accommodate the large number of competitors, the first phase of Team competition was held on Wednesday with two of four team members competing for each country.

Tabulating the riders' scores, Canada is in the lead with a combined score of 134.15. The lead-off rider for Canada, 1988 Olympic team bronze medallist Ashley Holzer, a Toronto native now living in New York City, posted a score of 67.65% riding Gambol, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Dr. Diane Fellows. Canada's second competitor, 1996 Olympian Evi Strasser of Ste-Adele, QC, was awarded a score of 66.50% for her performance aboard Quantum Tyme, her eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Quattro.

"Our performance in the ring was a result of great team work leading up to the Pan Ams," noted Holzer, of her partnership with Gambol whom she only began riding early this year. "There is still a full day of competition to go, we are only half-way there, but our biggest strength is how great our team is, we are all great friends and we're having a great time!"

Currently in second position are the Pan Am defending champions, the United States, with a total score of 131.60. Cristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, and Kantor, an 11-year-old black Dutch Warmblood gelding by Olympic Ferro, received a score of 64.80% while 1992 Olympic team bronze medallist Carol Lavell of Loxahatchee, FL, earned 66.80% aboard Much Ado, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Quattro.

"My horse can do a whole lot more, but I was trying to get the job done, trying to put in a solid team score," noted Lavell who took to the ring just as a tropical downpour began.

Mexico is currently in third position with a first day score of 122.35, just ahead of Brazil who has a score of 122.15.

Ten teams in total are contesting the Team medals, which will be awarded following the completion of the Prix St. Georges competition on Thursday. With a full day of competition still ahead, Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United States and Venezuela will battle it while an additional six nations will join the quest for an individual medal.

Individually, Holzer is in the lead with her score of 67.65% while Lavell is in second with 66.80%. Strasser is third with 66.50% while George Fernandez of the Dominican Republic made his hometown proud by posting a score of 66.45% riding Joris Las Marismas, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood owned by Las Marismas.

"I am very excited, I couldn't even believe it myself when I walked out of the ring!" exclaimed Fernandez, 23, a student of veterinary medicine. "The ride I had today is only possible because of the wonderful team I have around me."

Dressage events take place at the Palmarejo Equestrian Center from August 6 to 10. Prix St. Georges competition, used to determine the Team medals, are held over two days, August 6 and 7. The top 25 riders in the individual standings will advance to the Intermediaire I competition will on August 8 while the Intermediaire Musical Freestyle, used to determine the individual medals, will be held on August 10.

Officiating at the dressage events are Mariette Whitages of Belgium, President of the Ground Jury, Lissette Purcell of the Dominican Republic, Gotthilf Reixinger of Germany, Axel Steiner of the United States and Cara Whitham of Canada.

For further information on the equestrian events at the Pan American Games, please visit the Dominican Republic Equestrian Federation's website at: www.ecuestrerd.com and the official 2003 Pan American Games website at www.santodomingo2003.com.

Current Team Results - Following Day 1