Canada’s three equestrian discipline teams headed to the Pan American Games in Chile this past October with one main objective – to secure an Olympic berth. After weeks of intense competition, there was a lot to celebrate with all three earning team medals and tickets to Paris.
This job well done by the Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping teams marks the first time since the London 2012 Games that Canada will have team representation in all three disciplines. The push is now on to fundraise for their needs in an economy of ever-increasing costs within an ever-decreasing funding environment.
For those that want to help get the teams there, appeals will be ongoing from each discipline and EC’s fundraising efforts and continued Horsepower partnership with the Canadian Olympic Foundation. You can donate anytime to help through the secure donation portal.
Dressage:
Camille Carier Bergeron (Sound of Silence 4), Beatrice Boucher (Summerwood Limei), Mathilde Blais Tétreault (Fedor), and Naima Moreira-Laliberté (Statesman)
Photo credit: Cealy Tetley
The young team, who competitors nicknamed “the baby team” kicked off Santiago 2023 by securing a team bronze medal. This achievement holds significant importance as the team needed this qualification to get to the Paris Olympics – job complete!
Eventing:
Following Dressage, the spotlight turned to Eventing, where the team comprising Colleen Loach (FE Golden Eye), Lindsay Traisnel (Bacyrouge), Mike Winter (El Mundo), and Karl Slezak (Hot Bobo) competed in incredible three-day competition. The team emerged victorious, clinching the gold medal. This triumph holds historical significance as it marks the third occasion the Canadian Eventing team has secured the gold at the Pan American Games, with previous wins in 1971 in Cali, Colombia, and 1959 in Chicago, Illinois.
On top of this team success, Traisnel also captured an individual bronze medal on the final day, marking the first time the eventing team captured an individual medal at the Pan American Games since Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti (silver medal) did so in Toronto in 2015.
Colleen Loach, Mike Winter, Lindsay Traisnel and Karl Slezak
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley
Show Jumping:
Two down, one to go, Show Jumping took to the Pan American stage and the team of Mario Deslauriers (Emerson), Tiffany Foster (Figor), Beth Underhill (Nikka vd Bisschop) and Amy Millar (Truman), didn’t disappoint, earning a silver team medal. The Canadian Show Jumping team earned it’s first podium Pan American finish since Toronto in 2015, where they captured the gold medal.
Silver medalists Beth Underhill, Amy Millar, Mario Deslauriers, and Tiffany Foster.
Photo credit: Cealy Tetley
Once in Paris, Canada will look to secure their first podium finish since 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and add to their overall total of seven medals in Olympic history.
Congratulations to our athletes on each team who put all of their time, passion and dedication towards the sport we all love!
It takes a village for what was achieved in Santiago 2023. EC thanks Sport Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee for their ongoing support of our programs. We share our appreciation with the hosts of Santiago 2023, the Pan American Sports Organization and the Pan American Equestrian Confederation.
We would also like to thank all of our staff, owners, athletes, coaches, grooms, support staff and all stakeholders who supported the team from far and in between to help our teams travel and compete in Santiago – we could not have achieved these successes without a truly “TEAM” Canada!
Get on board with the team’s ticket to Paris and help us ensure they have everything they need.
For more information about supporting the team, contact Melanie McLearon, Director of Marketing & Communications at mmclearon@equestrian.ca.