The traditional quadrennial Pan American Games will be held in Peru next summer, but first, a new concept of a three-discipline FEI championship for the Americas will come to Ocala, Fla., January 21-31.
The inaugural Pan American Equestrian Confederation (PAEC) Championship of the Americas for jumping, dressage, and eventing, will be held at the World Equestrian Center, with eventing cross-country at the Florida Horse Park. It will run at the same time as weeks three and four of the WEC Winter Spectacular Show Series.
“The championship was created to provide more opportunities for riders across the Americas, grow the sport and build a structured pathway for athletes,” said PAEC President Cesar Hirsch.
“The idea was a continuation of PAEC’s mission of supporting and growing equestrian sport from the grassroots to the elite level.”
The PAEC board believes that the Championship will provide countries with a valuable opportunity to showcase emerging talent and support the development of the next generation of athletes. It also could serve as an opportunity for countries to field their top athletes and refine preparation ahead of major championships such as the Pan Ams.
“PAEC aims serve all of the countries in the Americas with this landmark event, no matter the extent of their high performance program. We want to build a legacy,” said Hirsch.
“This event is a great example of quick action and collaboration undertaken to establish the FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas. This concept has been long overdue but is finally coming to fruition due to exemplary cooperation and coordination among the FEI, USEF, PAEC, and, of course, WEC, whose team set out to offer support, resolve issues, and ensure a viable championship for the future,” said US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara. “It will be a great addition to athlete pathways across all of the Americas and will sync nicely with the Pan American Games going forward.”
Hirsch and PAEC approached USEF for assistance with the event, knowing that the ideal venue for it was WEC – Ocala, which runs numerous USEF licensed competitions across the breeds and disciplines throughout the year.
WEC Senior Director of Equine Operations Tom Hern noted, “We are thrilled to host the inaugural FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas. WEC was purpose-built to hold the best equestrian competition in the world.”
The Championship will feature jumping at the 1.45m-1.50m level, and dressage will be contested as a hybrid of Small Tour and Big Tour combinations. Eventing will be held at the 2-Star Short level. Countries may field teams of up to five athletes, including one reserve, in all three disciplines. Qualification is based on the Minimum Eligibility Requirements, and team and individual medals will be awarded in each discipline at the only FEI medal championship for senior teams in the Americas.
Founded in 2001, PAEC is the official continental authority recognized by the FEI, Panam Sports, and major sports associations. The board includes Hirsch, USEF President and Group IV Representative Tom O’Mara, FEI Group IV Chair Monique Archer (BAR), FEI Group V Chair Daniela Garcia Nigaglioni (MEX), FEI Group VI Representative Luiz Roberto Giugni (BRA), FEI Group VI Chair Esteban Abedrabbo (ECU), and Athlete Representative Tiffany Foster (CAN).
Jaime Morillo (ECU), who is part of the FEI Solidarity Program to promote and develop sustainable and structured equestrian culture and sport worldwide, is the PAEC Sport Development Officer, while Elena Couttenye (VEN) is the Games & Championships Coordinator at PAEC.
The vision for the FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas is to be a quadrennial event, with plans to add disciplines such as para dressage and vaulting in the future. The inaugural edition will be held in the same year as the 2027 Pan American Games to immediately expand competitive and preparatory opportunities for athletes across the Americas. After the 2027 edition, the Championship will enter its regular four-year cycle, with the next event scheduled for 2029.
The strategic objective is for the Championship to become an established qualification pathway for the Pan American Games, alongside the various regional championships. This framework ensures continuity of high-level competition across the region and provides National Federations with a predictable pathway for athlete development and planning.