With a total of 450.670 percent at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, the U.S. dressage team outdistanced second-place Brazil (443.343) on Monday, while Canada earned bronze with 431.937 and like Brazil, qualified for the 2024 Olympics.
Unlike the show jumping team, which competes at the end of the month seeking a berth in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the dressage team (and U.S. eventers) already were qualified, so the Pan Ams offered a chance to give up-and- coming riders experience.
The Pan American Games gold medal dressage team on the podium: Sarah Tubman, Codi Harrison, Anna Marek, Christian Simonson. (Photo Matt Turer/USEF)
“The team spirit is unbelievable, and it really has carried them through. Each one of them, in the end, rode better today,” said Chef d’Equipe George Williams.
“There were a few bobbles in some of the tests, but the actual riding was better, so I was happy with that. They came back strong, and I really feel like the team camaraderie helped carry them to this.”
Christian Simonson of California and Son of a Lady, a Danish warmblood, led off the order again in the second day of competition as the only Small Tour combination on the team. They earned a personal best in the Intermediate I with a score of 74.971 percent that put them first in the I-1 and fourth overall. Teams in the Pan Am Games are composed of a combination of Small and Big Tour riders.
Christian and “Sonny” demonstrated that they have a connection, earning a 9 for their canter pirouette.
“He and I just have really good communication,” said Christian.
“Even on a day when he’s a little tired or maybe not want(ing) to give 110 percent, he either will let me dig deep or he’ll dig in and fight for me. It’s the epitome of the best feeling riding – just that feeling knowing they’ll fight for you in the ring. The team atmosphere has just been incredible. We have so much synergy and it’s an amazing group of riders to be with.”
The first combination for the U.S. in the Large Tour rotation saw Anna Marek of Florida and Fire Fly open with the Grand Prix Special for the team. The Hanoverian gelding and his rider worked through an early bobble in the half-pass, recovering to gain improved marks totaling 73.489 percent.
Anna explained the strength of their growing relationship allowed her to guide them both back to focus and produce a very strong score for the team.
“I’m thrilled with our test and how he went. I was really proud that when we made a big bobble, we both recovered from it like it was nothing. As I was half-passing across and I kind of got down, then reminded myself that we have an entire test to go and just took a deep breath and said, ‘Alright buddy, let’s go,’” said Anna.
“He’s really a sensitive horse and that’s why I love him. We’ve built a lot of trust together… and I know he’s going to be there for me, and I can support him when he’s scared. He trusts me when I tell him we can do it.”
A few small miscommunications kept Codi Harrison and Katholt’s Bossco from scoring to their potential, but the pair recovered well to earn a 71.95, with Harrison showing their determination and fighting for every mark throughout the test to keep their score competitive. Katholt’s Bossco is a special horse for Harrison, who brought the Danish warmblood up the levels to Grand Prix.
“He felt so on today and great. The first part of the trot tour felt like it was some of the best work we’ve ever had. We had a few little miscommunications which was unfortunate, but overall, the feeling was so good,” commented Codi, who lives in Florida.
“He really grew into the atmosphere today and it’s amazing to be able to say that he was my Young Rider horse. We really didn’t have any intentions on making him a Grand Prix horse and along the way, we realized he’s a much better Grand Prix horse and I feel so lucky that I have a horse who let me teach him the ropes and I learned from him and together we fulfilled a dream by making a U.S. team.”
As the final combination in for Team USA with medals on the line, Sarah Tubman and First Apple, a KWPN stallion, produced another spectacular test, earning 76.872 percent to help push the team to the top of the podium as the duo finished third in the Grand Prix Special. The pair, the most seasoned partnership in the group, showed their experience while helping guide the team to the podium.
“We’re just so fortunate to have each other as a team. This is a very young team to represent the U.S. and we really brought it,” said Sarah, a Florida resident who won individual Pan Am gold in 2019. She was second overall after the Grand Prix Special.
“Apple was fantastic today and he really gave me everything in there. It’s another personal best for us and I’m just so proud of the way he’s continued to rise to the occasion for me.”