Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. Photo by Jenni Autry.
The Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event is always a critical event on the North American spring calendar, but it’s even more important this year, as it’s also the final selection trial for the U.S. Pan American Games team. Here’s a refresher on everything you need to know about the Pan Ams:
The U.S. can send a team of four with one reserve horse to Toronto. That team of four plus up to 12 reserve horses will be named no later than May 20. Those horses and riders will all compete at the final Pan Ams prep trials at Great Meadow on June 19-21.
The Pan Ams will hold dressage and show jumping for the eventing at Caledon Equestrian Park in Caledon. The cross country will be held at Will O’Wind Farm in Mono. Former Adelaide CCI4* designer Wayne Copping is the course designer, and Eric Bull and Greg Schlappi are building the course.
France’s disqualification from the World Equestrian Games means Canada automatically has a ticket to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro regardless of what happens in Toronto. The U.S. can qualify for Rio at the Pan Ams by being the highest placed team aside from Canada (who are already qualified) and Brazil (who receive an automatic invite as host nation).
The U.S. also has the option to qualify for the Olympics via our placement in the FEI Rider Rankings, but team Chef d’Equipe David O’Connor has made it clear his preferred method of getting to Rio is through a strong showing at the Pan Ams. (Remember that the U.S. hasn’t completed any major team since the Nations Cup at Boekelo in 2012.)
The following events in 2014 served as selection trials for the U.S. Pan American Games team: The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI2*, Burghley CCI4*, Blenheim CCI3*, Boekelo CCI3*, Fair Hill CCI3* and CCI2*, and Galway Downs CCI3* and CCI2*.
The following events in 2015 also served as selection trials for the team: Twin Rivers CCI2*, Ocala Horse Properties CCI2*, Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, and this weekend’s Jersey Fresh CCI3* and CCI2*.
Despite the fact that selection trials for the Pan Ams have been held since Rebecca Farms last year, the team picture still remains a bit muddled, and much of the question of who will ultimately represent the U.S. in Toronto will likely be answered this weekend at Jersey Fresh.
As a reminder of last-minute shakeups at Jersey Fresh due to withdrawals, Tamie Smith withdrew Twizted Syster from the CCI3*, Will Faudree withdrew Caeleste from the CCI2*, and Lauren Kieffer withdrew Czechmate from the CCI3*.
That muddies Twizted Syster’s and Caeleste’s chances at selection, as Twizted Syster has not completed a selection trial this spring and Caeleste recorded 20 jumping penalties at Fair Hill CCI2* and retired on course at Ocala CCI2*. This also sadly dashes Czechmate’s hopes of selection, as he will not have a completion at a selection trial and thus is not qualified for the Pan Ams.
Let’s take a detailed look at the Jersey Fresh competitors who have a chance to land a spot on the team this weekend; all selection trials these horses have already competed in are underlined in the text below.
Please note this is not a comprehensive list of everyone is who on the Pan Ams radar, and we will be taking a full look at everyone who is in contention after this weekend. (There are some competitors who aren’t at Jersey Fresh this weekend who have already made their case for for the team at earlier selection trials).
Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE FRONT RUNNERS
These horses have already recorded a clear cross country result at a selection trial and will bolster their case for the team with a strong showing at Jersey Fresh.
Matt Brown and Super Socks BCF: Time penalties on cross country could place this pair in the Wild Cards category below, but we’re putting them here under the assumption that Matt is going to put the gas pedal down this weekend. It’s also worth noting that you don’t get around Fair Hill CCI3* by chance; this pair finished 17th there last fall. “Flaxen” won his final prep event at Fair Hill CIC3* last month and is a class horse in all three phases. It’s up to to Matt to deliver now.
Phillip Dutton and I’m Sew Ready: “Jackson” finished 13th on his dressage score of 55.4 at Fair Hill CCI2* last fall and hasn’t looked back since. He showed the type of work he’s capable of in the sandbox at Carolina International, where he won the CIC3* on his dressage score of 43.1. He’s one of the most consistent horses in the Pan Ams race, and it doesn’t hurt that Phillip is riding better than ever right now. Now Jackson has the chance to seal the deal in his first CCI3* this weekend.
Boyd Martin and Pancho Villa: Boyd originally had this horse entered for his first CCI4* at Rolex but intentionally withdrew him to take a crack at the Pan Ams. Pancho finished 17th in the Fair Hill CCI3* last fall with a number of cross country time penalties, so Boyd will need to dial it in this weekend to make a case for selection. Boyd has been the highest placed U.S. rider on our last two major championship teams; it’s tough to argue he wouldn’t be an asset in Toronto.
Julie Richards and Beaulieu’s Cayenne: We sadly haven’t seen much of Fair Hill CCI2* winner Urlanmore Beauty lately, but Julie has an equally talented partner in Beaulieu’s Cayenne, who placed 14th in the Fair Hill CCI2* last fall and has been racking up consistent results ever since. The dressage remains a question mark for the mare, as these two have struggled to deliver a test near that elusive 45-penalty mark since they stepped up to the three-star level.
Matt Brown and Happenstance at Fair Hill. Photo by Jenni Autry.
THE WILD CARDS
These horses have had blips on their cross country records at selection trials but are extremely talented; a strong performance at Jersey Fresh could alter their fate.
Matt Brown and Happenstance: “Hap” won the Rebecca Farm CCI2* last year and went on lead the 120-strong Fair Hill CCI2* field after dressage only to pick up 20 jumping penalties on cross country. Matt and Hap both learned a lot from the experience and have returned to the East Coast for the horse’s first CCI3* at Jersey Fresh — a gutsy move for sure. Matt is here to make a strong case for team selection.
Buck Davidson and Be Mine: Be Mine is an interesting creature in that he sometimes swings between highs and lows. He won the CIC2* at Plantation Field last fall only to come undone by flags around the arena during the dressage at Fair Hill CCI2*; they still recorded a clear cross country result there to finish 20th on 59.1. Buck has said that the horse is very opinionated; if they can agree on the opinion that Be Mine would be a good choice for the U.S. Pan Ams team, then they’ll do well this weekend.
Michael Pollard and Cyrano: This is an extremely experienced horse, having competed with owner Carl Bouckaert at the 2012 London Olympics, and now Michael and Cyrano have also found themselves in the Pan Ams race. They have the disadvantage of having recorded a runout on cross country at Ocala CCI2*, so the pressure is on to perform this weekend.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum: “Lexus” completed Fair Hill CCI2* last fall with jumping penalties with young rider Alex Ahearn in the irons. Now Tamie has the ride, which has created a formidable combination. The horse is quite simply deadly on the flat; add in the fact that he’s solid in the other two phases and you’re looking at two very strong contenders for Toronto. Tamie and Lexus are coming off a win in The Fork CIC2*; watch out this weekend.
Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett. Photo by Kasey Mueller.
THE ALL OR NOTHINGS
These horses ooze talent but have not yet recorded a result at a selection trial. This is their last chance to make their case for selection.
Matt Brown and Belicoso: This weekend is a big step up for Belicoso, who will attempt his first CCI3* here on the East Coast. The horse recorded a 20 on his score card at his final prep event at Fair Hill last month, and he’s in the shadow of his stablemates Happenstance and Super Socks BCF. But we’re not about to bet against Matt.
Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM: It seems strange to place Reggie in a category by this name considering all he has accomplished in his career, but EN confirmed Buck did apply for the Pan Ams with this horse, and they have not yet recorded a result at a selection trial. Reggie has re-routed to the CCI3* at Jersey Fresh after an early runout on course at Rolex; this weekend could both bring back his mojo and nab him a ticket to Toronto.
Buck Davidson and Carlevo: Carlevo is still a relatively new ride for Buck, having only been out under the red and yellow BDJ colors since February. But he’s an incredibly special horse — one with talent to burn in all three phases. They have struggled a bit to gel the partnership thus far, but a good showing here at Jersey Fresh will make all of that a distant memory.
Lillian Heard and Arundel: This is a long shot combination, but we’re including them because Arundel has the advantage of eternal EN karma, as his owner Abbie Golden wrote for EN for many years before she went to law school. “Spencer” showed just how good he can be by laying down a 37.5 in the dressage at The Fork CIC2*, where he and Lillian went on to finish second. It will be difficult to ignore them if they have a strong finish here in the CCI2*.
Lauren Kieffer and Meadowbrook’s Scarlett: Scarlett is Lauren’s best hope for making the team after the untimely withdrawal of Czechmate, but don’t think she’s at a disadvantage. This mare has been quietly recording good results under the radar and is ready for her breakout moment. If that should happen to come this weekend at Jersey Fresh in her first CCI3*, Scarlett could very well be heading to Toronto.
Michael Pollard and Ballingowan Pizazz: This horse has Pan Ams experience already, having finished fifth individually on his dressage score in 2011 with Shannon Lilley in the irons. “Mango” led the CCI3* at this event last year before retiring on cross country. All the pieces are there if Michael and Mango come out swinging this weekend.
Tamie Smith and Fleur de Lis: A son of “Heartbreaker,” that’s exactly the role Fleur de Lis could play this weekend. The horse is green to the two-star level, and this is his first CCI2*, but he showed he can run with the big dogs at The Fork, where he finished third in the CIC2* under the shadow of stablemate Mai Baum. He’s very impressive on the flat.
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