Canadian Rider Leslie Reid Bests U.S. Dressage at The 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo

Concerns about Judges' Scores

Perfect weather showcased the 25 riders through the five hours of competition, but conditions among onlookers were less than perfect. Some grumbled about the scoring, citing judges for being influenced by the nation a horse represented. "It's all political," was repeated, reminiscent of the protests last fall ata the World Equestrian Games.

Some expressed fear that the politics of dressage could mean its exclusion from the Olympic Games. The scandal over judging in the recent Winter Olympics is affecting other sports that are judged subjectively.

About the scoring, Reid noted, "We have no control over it, so we go back to the barn a little. If you think you've done your best, then there is absolutely nothing you are going to do about it." She added that she doesn't take judge's comments to heart, preferring to stick to her training program.

And despite the "political" comments, the horses in the contention for medals are worthy representatives of famous bloodlines. Vincent is sired by Weltmeyer, Pik L is by Pik Bube, and Feleciano is by Florestan I. Two of the five are Dutch Warmbloods (Mark and Inatana las Marismas), two are Hannoverians (Pik L and Vincent), and one is a Westfalen (Feleciano).

Officials are also debating the possibility of changing the Pan-Am competition from the small tour to Grand Prix. Harrison-Naness approved, commenting, "I think making it a Grand Prix is probably the right thing to do. I feel that a lot of the horses here will go on to be Grand Prix horses. If we are going to spend the money to send a team, I think it would be money better spent."

Team Brazil mourned the death of their most ardent supporter. Roberto Marinho died the night of August 7. The owner of Globo Net, he was the main sponsor of Brazil's jumping team. In his honor, the venue at Palmarejo flew the Brazilian flag at half-mast.

The Kur begins Sunday afternoon, August 10, to determine the individual medals. The total scores of all three competitions--Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I, and the Kur--determine the final placings. The 15 riders represent six Latin American nations besides the U.S. and Canada: Dominican Republic (2), Colombia (2), Mexico (2), and one each for Brazil, Chile, and Argentina.