Dressage Team Preps for Pan Ams

By Staff Report October 8, 2011

It’s getting down to the wire for the teams heading to the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. The U.S. dressage team has spent the last few days training at Hope Greenfield’s Sixteen Hands Farm in New Jersey under the guidance of Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons.

 

Team members Heather Blitz on Paragon, Marisa Festerling on Big Tyme, Cesar Parra and Grandioso, and Steffen Peters on Weltino’s Magic along with substitute riders Endel Ots and Toscano and Heather Mason on Warsteiner have been putting the finishing touches on their performances before the four team horses depart on Tuesday, October 11.

“The Pan American dressage team members plus two reserves are busy polishing their tests before leaving for Mexico,” Gribbons said. “After training during the week, we had a dress rehearsal on Friday. Each of the six riders performed the team test, the Prix St Georges, in full dress with horses braided and tack inspection as in a regular show. Lisa Schmidt volunteered to be the side judge, and she assisted me in the judging, as well as in the video session and discussions after the test riding.”

This provided the riders valuable feedback on their training as well as the chance to have a final run through the tests. The training camp has also provided the riders the opportunity to come together as a team before they land in Mexico.

“The training will continue through the weekend until departure early next week,” Gribbons said. “We have a very strong field of horses, the riders are getting along beautifully and are ready for the challenge. We are looking forward to the Games.”

The dressage horses will begin their Pan Am competition on Oct. 15 at the Guadalajara Country Club.

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