United States Eventing Association

US Equestrian (USEF) has released the selection procedures for the 2019 Pan American Games taking place August 1-4, 2019 in Lima, Peru. The United States did not secure the necessary Olympic qualifying placing at the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018, so the 2019 Pan American Games are the U.S.’s next chance to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

According to the official selection procedure documentation, “All athletes and horses wishing to compete on the 2019 Pan American Games Eventing Team must earn a FEI Certificate of Capability between January 1, 2018 and June 25, 2019 by having achieved one qualifying result at a CCI3*-L, CCI4*-L or CCI5*-L to be eligible to compete in the Event.” Riders must be at least 18 years of age and horses must be at least 6 years old.

Qualifying results are defined by the FEI Rules for Eventing section 517 – Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

a) Dressage test: not more than 45 penalty points (or 55%).
b) Cross-country test: A clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain the MER result on cross-country); Not more than 75 seconds exceeding the optimum time in the cross-country test for, two-, three-, and four-star level competitions and 100 seconds in the case of five-star level competitions.
c) Jumping test: not more than 16 penalties at obstacles.

Horse-and-rider combinations wishing to be considered for the 2019 U.S. Pan American Eventing Team must complete one of the following selection trials:

• The Event at Rebecca Farm CCI2* and CCI3* | July 18-22, 2018
• Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) CCI4* | August 30- September 2, 2018
• Ssang Yong Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (GBR) CCI3* | September 13-16, 2018
• Boekelo-Enschede Horse Trials (NED) CCI3* | October 11-14, 2018
• The Dutta Corp Fair Hill International CCI3* and CCI2* | October 17-21, 2018
• The Virginia CCI/CIC & Horse Trials CCI2* | November 1-4, 2018
• Galway Downs International Event CCI2* | November 1-4, 2018
• The Ocala Jockey Club Three-Day Event CCI2* and CCI3* | November 15-18, 2018
• Twin Rivers CCI3*-L | April 10-14, 2019
• Ocala International Three-Day Festival of Eventing CCI3*-L | April 10-14, 2019
• Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI5* | April 24-28, 2019
• Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) CCI5* | May 1-5, 2019
• Jersey Fresh International Three-Day Event CCI3*-L and CCI4*-L | May 8-12, 2019
• Tattersalls International CCI3*-L and CCI4*-L | May 29-June 2, 2019
• Bromont CCI Three-Day Event (CAN) CCI3*-L and CCI4*-L | June 5-9, 2019

Applications for the 2019 U.S. Pan American Eventing Team must be submitted to the USEF on or before March 1, 2019.

The Selectors, in consultation with the Chef d’Equipe and Team Veterinarian, will recommend at least four athlete/horse combinations and up to the maximum number of alternates no later than June 17, 2019 based on the following:

1. The overall performance and soundness of the athlete/horse combination in those 2018/2019 competitions designated as selection trials with emphasis on dressage scores, current fitness, and cross-country and show jumping performance: jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, rideability, and speed;
2. 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;
3. Athlete’s fitness;
4. 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; and
5. The willingness of the athlete to work within the confines of the Event accreditation allocation and restrictions.

The riders and horses named to this list will be required to “demonstrate their continued preparation, soundness, and ability” by competing at designated preparation events to take place after June 15, 2019. It is anticipated that these preparation events will be a CCI3*-S, an Advanced Horse Trial, and/or an Advanced Combined Test.

The list will be submitted to the FEI as the “FEI Nominated Entry” for the 2019 Pan American Games by no later than June 26, 2019. The full selection procedures can be viewed here.