Team USA Takes Gold Medal in XV Pan American Games Dressage
Competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—Gold is definitely a color that looks good on the necks of Americans equestrian athletes, and Team USA’s dressage squad were the first to have the honor to wear it among the three disciplines invited to the XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. The three-member team comprised of Lauren Sammis, Katherine Poulin-Neff and Christopher Hickey finished their combined work to bring home the top honors in the dressage team final on Sunday at Deodoro Stadium and the National Equestrian Center, July 15.

Two Americans entered the dressage arena on Sunday to add to the Saturday score laid down by Lauren Sammis, who stood at first coming into the second day of dressage and final day of the team competition. Thirteen pairings entered the ring this morning, and the American team ended their work with an average score of 68.633%. Canada took the Silver medal (67.250%) and the host country—Brazil—was awarded the Bronze medals on a score of 64.933%.

To add to the excitement, after two rides for both the Americans and the Canadians, there was only a two-tenths difference in the total scores deciding the team medal.

Poulin-Neff was the first of the Americans to enter, and aboard Brilliant Too, she scored a 66.550%, very respectable for a horse that had yet to experience the atmosphere of such a large event.

“I felt good about the test,” she said. “There was one little mistake at the end—a flying change. I corrected it, but overall he [Brilliant Too] felt good. I thought he would be more nervous in there…but, overall, I was really happy.”

“I’ll be more relaxed next time,” she said, referring to the upcoming Individual finals. Overall, the pairing finished the Individual 1st Qualifier in sixth place.

Then, the Gold medal came down to the scores for Hickey and Canadian Andrea Bresee aboard Raffles.

Hickey and Regent wrapped up the American effort and scored a 69.150%, which sat them in second place overall. Bresee’s 65.250% secured the Silver for her country.

“I made a few little mistakes, and part of those were rider error…going for it a little too much,” said Hickey. “But, I’m very happy with our ending score, and to be able to represent the U.S. team. We’ve had a wonderful time here in Brazil.”

Hickey’s mount, Regent, was fresh entering the ring today, and the rider was cautious not to over-warm-up the horse. However, some gutsy chances were taken during the test and a resulting few mistakes were made.

“I was a little overzealous trying to make him more expressive, and I could have ridden him a little calmer,” said Hickey. “That is one place where I rode too much, and tried to make him higher in the neck and little more forward over the ground with more expression. It didn’t work today.” Regardless, his efforts were enough to secure the medal.

Sammis spoke for the team when she shared her enthusiasm for the competition and her appreciation. “The way that this show has been run has been fantastic, and the reception from the people has been fantastic,” she said. “We are so very grateful to be here as a team.”

Team USA chef d’equipe Klaus Balkenhol was obviously pleased.

“Considering that all of these riders are riding in a large international event for the first time, each and every one did a fantastic job,” said Balkenhol. “I am thrilled that these riders were able to get the Gold medal. I also want to thank to everyone—the grooms and the others who worked together…that’s really important.”

Looking toward the Individual competition, Sammis said that she was ready and was fortunate to be competing on her mount, Sagacious HF (an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Hyperion Farm, Inc.). “I have a wonderful horse, and I would take a bad day on that horse any day,” she said, thrilled with her Team Gold medal.

Poulin-Neff said that she showed come nerves in her Pan American debut, as did her mount, the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross gelding owned by Sharon Poulin. However, this was to be expected on such a stage.

“I’m happy with the way it went,” she said. “We’ll be less nervous here tomorrow. Being here, overall, has been really great, and we have such a wonderful support group here helping us…It has been absolutely wonderful.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll be a bit bolder, and the Intermediaire I is our better test,” said Poulin-Neff.

Hickey, too, shared this appreciation, specifically for all those that have helped him get to this level in his career.

“I’d like to start by saying that we are very thankful that at the USEF [United States Equestrian Federation] we have a very strong organizing body that makes the decision and makes all the arrangements, for everything at the USET Foundation. From our team leader Gil Merrick and Jim Wolf, down to the people in the office, and our team vet and, of course, Klaus, our chef,” he said.

Hickey looked forward to Monday’s first Individual challenge. “Tomorrow, he and I will have been in that arena once…so I will still ride boldly, but with a little bit more care.”

He took an opportunity to joke about the rest of competition, which now has the riders competing as individuals. “Now, the gloves come off!” he said. “We will stay play nice, but we are here to play for medals!”

As for Sammis, she plans for more of what she has already shown the dressage fans at Deodoro. “We’ll stay true to the training that I have,” she said. “I’ve been very consistent, so it’s the same game plan. Keep smiling and keep on track.”

The two-day Individual finals begin on Monday with the Intermediaire I and wraps up on Wednesday with the Intermediaire freestyle.

Brian Sosby/USEF.org
 

American Dressage Riders Stand at First, Third in Individual Dressage Medal at
Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—When most people think of Rio, sunshine comes quickly to mind. However, that was not the case today at Deodoro Stadium and the National Equestrian Center outside of the city. Clouds, the threat of rain showers and cooler temperatures loomed, but it was a rather bright day for the hopes of the American dressage riders as all three of them competed in the first of two rounds that will determine the Individual medals for the discipline.

But, the Americans would have to wait until late in the day to take to the arena. In fact, the three Americans were of the last six riders to go. That made for a long day for those who were waving their red, white and blue flags that have been seen dotting the stand’s landscape. It was all well worth the wait.

Scores from the dressage team final were wiped clean and riders started anew. The Monday competition determined the top 15 riders that would move forward to Wednesday’s Individual final, and all three Americans made the grade.

Leading the Yankee pack was Maryland’s Christopher Hickey and Regent, a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Brenna Kucinski. The pair scored a 69.350%, which was enough to land them in first place overall going into the final phase of Individual competition – the Intermediaire freestyle. Hickey and Regent were only one of two pairings (the other being Dominican rider Yvonne Losos de Muniz aboard Bernstein las Maris) to crack the 70% mark today among any of the judges’ scores.

“Today, I felt a little bit more secure in the collection and, therefore, he [Regent] was a little bit more balanced, and had better self-carriage,” he said. “I was able to ride boldly, but also keep him a bit more underneath himself. It allowed me to be more expressive in the extensions, and I was very pleased overall.”

The only small problems came in the form of a change in the first three-tempi in the line of three where there was a mistake, plus a bobble in the first extended trot which cost a few points. Those things withstanding, Hickey said he was happy with the day’s effort.

“I felt like we came in the ring today, and we felt like we were ready to do a good job,” he said.

Second in line for the Americans was New Jersey’s Lauren Sammis on a score of 68.550% aboard Sagacious HF, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Al and Judy Guden of Hyperion Farm. It was a very nice test, but one flaw surfaced in some botched tempis to possibly cost her the lead going into the final day. However, she is in striking distance to come back on Wednesday to make things right. She finished the day in third place overall going in to the final phase of competition.

“Sagacious was pretty fresh today…and he is getting fresher as the time goes on instead of being tired,” she said. “He’s like a little Energizer Bunny, and I’m very pleased about that because when it does come time for us to do the grand prix in the future, we are going to need a horse that’s got that extra push to carry me through.”

After the qualifier in Gladstone, NJ, earlier this year, Sammis said to expect some changes in her freestyle, ones that would enhance its level of difficulty and raise the stakes in Rio. Today, she was coy about specifics, but said there were some “surprises” in store for Wednesday.

“With the suggestion of quite a few professionals that I respect, I did change some things a bit,” she said. “Obviously, you don’t change the entire thing coming into something like this, but it’s a little bit harder. For me, the freestyle is a blast and just a lot of fun. I have a great time in the freestyle – win or lose or whatever the scores are. I just have a great time, and I’m excited about it. Let the chips lay where they will.”

Last for Team USA, but certainly not least, was Ohio’s Katherine Poulin-Neff with a score of 66.350%, enough to seat her at sixth place (her same overall seating after the team final) going into Wednesday’s wrap-up of dressage competition.

Aboard Brilliant Too, owned by her mother, Sharon Poulin, Katherine put in a conservative performance that seemed to be holding something back. An unrealized rein back at C and a flawed right pirouette were among some technical flubs.

“My horse was really nervous in there today. When I tracked to the left when you do the extended trot across the diagonal, and also in my extended trot in that direction, there was just something in the stands that he [Brilliant Too] saw. He just didn’t want to go in that direction,” she said. “There were no major mistakes, just some tension issues...it’s just been a real learning experience for the both of us. My horse has never been in a stadium before, and I’m really happy with how it went taking into consideration what happened.”

For her first international competition, and the youngest member of the entire U.S. equestrian contingent, she showed incredible poise and promise.

Dominican rider Losos de Muniz is nestled in second place overall between the Americans, and also performed a strong test. She is accompanied in the top five finishers by Canadian Tom Dvorak and Beaumarchais (fourth place – 67.900%) and Argentinean Vera Protzen and Kadirmo (fifth place – 66.900%).

There was also a real sense of gratitude from the three riders for the work that has been done for them to make it to the Pan American Games. All three riders agreed in saying they were thankful for the team behind Team USA.

“From quarantine to the Deodoro venue…there have been so many comforts for the riders,” said Hickey. “We are very, very lucky to have a team behind us that thought ahead of any problems.”

With all three riders in the top 15, chances are enhanced for an American (or two, or three) to be standing atop the medals podium. An American has not won an Individual dressage medal at the Pan American Games since Debbie McDonald’s Gold medal at the 1999 Winnipeg Games.

Brian Sosby for USEF.org