Diana and Cealy from Rio

Amazing Dressage at the 2007 Pan American Games

U.S. Rider Christopher Hickey Leading with One More Test to Go

Monday showcased the Individual Dressage and with only one more test to go no one can be assured of a victory. Leading the way for the moment is our very own Chris Hickey who rode Regent to a score of 69.350. Yet the real surprise is that Yvonne Losos de Muniz aboard Bernstein Las Maris, who is here representing the Dominican Republic, is now second to Chris with a score of 69.30. Lauren Sammis on Sagacious is not far behind (68.550). Matter-of-fact the top rider’s scores are so close that it could be anyone’s game on Wednesday for the final dressage test which will be the Musical Kur.

I’ve been to a lot of Pan American Games and clearly the level of the dressage at these Games is superior. Both Mariette Whitages (BEL), a member of the Ground Jury, and Klaus Balkenhol (GER), Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. team, agreed that the dressage in the Latin American countries has clearly improved. A lot of that is because many of the riders are going to other countries to advance their riding skills. In addition both Canada and the United States have raised the bar and are giving the other countries more to reach for.

“In a short period of time the Central and Latin American countries have done a big jump forward,” commented Mariette. “Mexico has done it as well. It is a big evolution and dressage is really growing fast in Latin America.”

“It’s very evident in the competition,” added Klaus. “Over time these riders have come to Europe and you can see the improvement of the riders and of the horses.”