Lima Lowdown | August 4, 2019
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Welcome to the Lima Lowdown! To introduce myself, I’m Jessie Christie, the Media Attaché for the Canadian Equestrian Team in Lima. I’m proud and honoured to be part of the ‘team behind the team’ – and each day of the Games, I’ll be bringing you exclusive stories and photos from our Canadian athletes, grooms, owners, and team personnel here in Lima.


One horse, three Pan American Games, five medals.CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar

Jessica Phoenix and Pavarotti loving their bronze medal lap of honour with the team.
Photo Credit: ©EC/Jessie Christie

Jessica Phoenix’s trusted veteran, Pavarotti, has a serious Pan Am record. At 17 years young, he closed out Lima 2019 with a well-earned team bronze to add to individual gold and team silver from Guadalajara 2011 and individual silver and team bronze from Toronto 2015.

CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar

Celebrating individual gold in Guadalajara.
Photo Credit: Cealy Tetley

His remarkable strength in all three phases was on display in Lima. In dressage, he appeared relaxed, perfectly on the aids, and fluid in all three gaits, earning the fifth-best score of the day among a field of dressage hard-hitters.

But, where Pavarotti shined brightest was on cross-country. Brave and bold, yet rideable and respectful of Jessica’s directions, he was among just five horses to cross the finish line with no jumping and less than 10 time penalties (and one of the 25 out of 42 who crossed the finish line at all, speaking to the level of challenge this course brought!)  

CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar

There was one place in particular on course where Jessica and Pavarotti killed it – witnesses are still talking about how it was hands-down the ride of the day.

The dreaded hill combination at 23ab… 

CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am SuperstarThe ‘a’ part of the Condor hill and its backside: a super steep hill.CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar

Part ‘b’ – set close to the base of the hill, requiring a heinous 90-degree turn.

Many horses lost their power steering and barreled down the centre of the hill after navigating the skinny brush at the top (to be fair the jump was set so close to the drop that there wasn’t even a full stride to prepare upon landing). Not Pavarotti. With skillful riding from Jessica, they breezed over the jump and then put on a masterclass in rideability, collecting and moving left down the hill, basically in a half-circle, to make the sharp turn to the ‘b’ element a piece of cake.

Their final jumping round was also a fan favourite, highlighted by quick and efficient turns and careful, scopey jumping technique. Pavarotti looked fresh and energetic enough to stay on for the Pan Am Show Jumping!

In addition to his many adoring fans, it’s clear Pavarotti is Jessica’s heart horse. In every interview she gave in Lima, her love for the small but mighty horse came through. Here are some of the conversations that happened throughout the week in the mixed zone to give insight on Pavarotti from Jessica’s perspective.

How long have you been riding Pavarotti?

Yeah, it’s definitely been a while. I got him in January before the 2011 Guadalajara Pan Am Games. This is my third Pan Ams with him and we’ve done two World Championships. So it’s definitely something I’m very proud of. He’s just such an athlete, and he’s such an incredible partner.

What does it take to keep a horse at the top of his game for so many years?

You have to have an incredible group of people around you. We have an unbelievable group of vets in Ontario and in Florida. Also, our team farrier, Andy Vergut, has shod him since 2014, so we’ve had a lot of success with Andy as well. And I think, honestly, it has a lot to do with training, but it has a lot to do with who you surround yourself with. Whenever you see horses competing at this level, it’s a huge group of people that have gotten them here.

Day-to-day, does he have a different training schedule at home than your other horses?

No, it’s business as usual and he works just like every other horse.

We hear Pavarotti has a connection to one of the other riders on the Canadian Team?

Yes, Karl Slezak did Pavarotti’s first one star with him, and then I think he did one intermediate before he was sold. The person that bought him ended up not keeping him and then Don Good got him back and sent him to me in 2011.

It’s pretty cool. Karl is a very good friend, so it’s really fun to all be here together. 

CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar

What is your connection like with Pavarotti?

He’s a pretty incredible horse and we have a very strong connection, so it was really fun to get in there and experience that connection for sure.

It’s always so much fun to compete for Canada on that horse. He’s such an experienced competitor. Start to finish, it’s just an emotional experience. You’re just so proud to be there, and you know how much hard work you’ve put into it. To be there on a horse that you have so much history with is just awesome.

I could not be happier with Pavarotti’s performance. He’s such a competitive horse that knows all three days of this sport and it’s just so incredible to be on a horse that’s as competitive as I am.

What’s next for Pavarotti?

Everyone asks me how old he is, and I joke and count his age backwards from when I got him and say he’s nine and he’ll be eight next year. So, who knows? I think eight is the youngest a horse can go to the Olympic Games…

But, honestly, as long as he wants to keep going, we’ll keep going with him. He just loves this job so much and I love riding him. 

CET on the Go | Pavarotti is a Pan Am Superstar