10 Things You Need to Know About Team USA’s Pan Ams Selection Procedures

John's best attempt at a shot of Team USA at the 2011 Pan Ams. John's best attempt at a shot of Team USA at the 2011 Pan Ams.

The USEF has released the Athlete Selection Procedures for the 2015 Pan American Games, which will be held July 16-19, 2015, in Toronto. You can click here to view the procedures in full, and here’s a look at 10 things you need to know:

1. All Pan Ams applications are due Feb. 20, 2015. Riders must have a qualifying score at a CCI2*, CCI3* or CCI4* event between Jan. 1, 2014 and the FEI’s nominated entry date (which isn’t listed) to qualify. A qualifying result must have a dressage score of no higher than 65, clear cross country with no more than 90 seconds over the optimum time, and no more than 16 jumping penalties.

2. The following events in 2014 counted as Pan Ams selection trials:

  • The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI2*
  • Burghley CCI4*
  • Blenheim CCI3*
  • Boekelo CCI3*
  • Fair Hill CCI3* and CCI2*
  • Galway Downs CCI3* and CCI2*

3. The following events in 2015 will also serve as selection trials:

  • Twin Rivers CCI2*, April 8-12
  • Ocala Horse Properties CCI2*, April 8-12
  • Rolex Kentucky CCI4*, April 22-26
  • Badminton (GBR) CCI4*, May 7-10
  • Jersey Fresh CCI3* and CCI2*, May 7-10

4. CCI2* events in Europe between July 23, 2014 and May 10, 2015, may also be considered as selection trials if approved by the Selectors and the Eventing High Performance Committee.

5. Additional competitions this year may be identified as selection trials if necessary, with notification given 30 days prior to the start of the event.

6. The selectors will choose the team based on the following factors:

  • The overall performance and soundness of the athlete/horse combination in those 2014/2015 competitions designated as Selection Trials with emphasis on dressage scores, current fitness, cross country, and show jumping performance: jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, rideability, and speed;
  • The previous international experience of the athlete/horse combination, preference may be given to athlete/horse combinations to who have demonstrated ability to succeed in multiple international eventing competitions;
  • Athlete’s fitness
  • The athlete/horse combination’s will to win and the suitability of the combination to win an individual medal or contribute to a team medal at the Event.

7. Final vet evaluations will be held May 18 and 19, 2015, prior to naming the team.

8. The Pan Ams team of four horse and rider combinations will be named no later than May 20, 2015, along with up to the maximum number of alternates. The Selectors will rank the alternates before the team ships to Canada on July 13, 2015.

9. All team members and alternates must participate in mandatory team training, the details of which will be announced no later than May 15. The USEF anticipated team training sessions will be held sometime after June 15.

10. The team and alternates will be required to compete at the prep trials at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia, on June 20-21, 2015. The prep trials will be a CIC2*, an Advanced horse trials or an Advanced combined test. Final details on the prep trials will be released no later than April 15. (Note that the prep trials will run concurrently with the new CIC3* at Great Meadow.)

Check out the Pan American Games page on the USEF website here for even more info.

[USEF ATHLETE SELECTION PROCEDURES, 2015 Pan American Games, EVENTING. Toronto, CANADA]