U.S. Team Takes Early Lead in 2019 Pan American Games

Mon, 07/29/2019 - 08:54
2019 Pan American Games
Sarah Lockman and First Apple at the 2019 Pan American Games :: Photo © Taylor Pence

The U.S. Dressage Team recorded three stellar results to take the early lead at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.

Led by Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald, the team of Nora Batchelder (Williston, FL) piloting Faro SQF, Jennifer Baumert (Wellington, FL) aboard Handsome, and Sarah Lockman (Wildomar, CA) and First Apple, performed the Prix St. Georges test, earning a team total of 219.970.

Canada currently sits in silver medal position on a 219.828 and Brazil in third with a score of 204.473. Monday’s Intermediate I test will determine team medals.

Dressage competition welcomed eight teams and 11 individuals to the main arena at Equestrian Club La Militrar La Molina, the sole equestrian venue for Lima 2019. A total of 30 competitors rode in the Prix St. Georges, while eight entries contested the Grand Prix. Eddy De Wolff (NED) is serving as the Ground Jury President, alongside colleagues Janet Foy (USA), Mary Seefried (AUS), Brenda Minor (CAN), and Thomas Kessler (GER).

Batchelder and Faro SQF, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Fidertanz 2 x Rotspot) owned by Batchelder and Andrea Whitcomb, were the first combination to test the atmosphere for the United States. The pair earned a 71.441 percent from the judging panel, a solid score for Baumert and Lockman to build upon in the later sessions of competition.

“He was really good in there. I thought he went in and took it all in and was pretty brave about it. We had the one uncharacteristic mistake that is unfortunate because he’s usually a pretty clean-test kind of guy. He tried really hard, and I thought overall his canter work was really strong and the trot was accurate. I was proud of him,” said Batchelder.

Nora Batchelder on Faro
Faro SQF is the only horse in the American contingent bred and started in the United States. Batchelder is proud of the significance their nomination to the team has meant to breeders in the U.S., including Faro SQF’s breeder Jill Peterson. “It’s really exciting. He was bred 20 minutes down the road from where I live now. It’s fun and it feels like he’s a real homebred. He’s American all the way.”

Shortly after the mid-day break, Baumert and Handsome, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Hochadel x Weltmeyer) owned by Betsy Juliano LLC, produced a 72.441 percent to help the team’s overall placing. Baumert and Handsome’s test was energetic and expressive, displaying some of their best trot work to date.

“I was really happy how Handsome handled the environment. He really lit up when we got in there and got all big. I knew it was going to be nice. For the most part, I was super happy with the performance. Towards the end he got a little too much go, but I can’t complain. It’s a good thing to have,” said Baumert. “Trot extensions aren’t his best thing, so it was really nice to feel his front end come up and float a little bit. I was really happy with that and overall the consistency. He goes in there and does it every time.”

Baumert has produced excellent results with Handsome during their tenure together and a selection to a Pan American Games team has been a lifelong goal. The relationship the pair has established together is one that Baumert deeply cherishes.

“I just love that horse to death. He has such a personality. I’ve known him for four years and have been competing him for three. He’s really changed a lot in that time. He’s an introvert, and he’s come out of his shell. It is so rewarding. He wasn’t an unhappy horse when I met him, but that is one happy horse. He’s happy in his skin. He’s the happiest horse I’ve ever known, and I love him so much,” added Baumert, who was close to tears when talking about their partnership.

The U.S. and Canada were separated by the slightest of margins throughout the day with the pressure falling to anchor combination Sarah Lockman and First Apple. The duo recorded a personal best of 76.088 percent to top the class and secure the lead for the U.S. in the team medal race.

“He came out feeling super and was 100 percent with me. He goes around that ring and is like ‘I am here,’ and that’s what I felt the whole time. He was answering every question I asked him perfectly. There are little things that I think we can still improve on, and it can be better tomorrow, but I’m more than happy with that, obviously. The final centerline was my favorite part and then it all just hit me. I’m just so happy,” said Lockman, overwhelmed with emotion.

First Apple (Vivaldi x T.C.N. Partout), a nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion owned by Gerry Ibanez, has been impressed with Lockman in the irons, and today the pair surpassed all expectations.

“I’m so proud to be here, to represent my country, and to pull off a personal best when it really counts the most for my team. I’m really proud of my horse and so thankful to everyone who has helped me get to this point. As soon as I get on my horse, I’m in my comfort zone, and it’s like home. We had a job to do and we did it.”

Batchelder and Lockman are both new to international championship competition, while Baumert and Handsome represented the United States in the 2019 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ USA at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in late March. Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald, in her first major continental championship with the U.S. Dressage Team, was thrilled with each combination today, commenting on their passion and drive to perform well.

“I could not be happier with the riders and the horses today. It makes me emotional. I can’t help it. It shows the passion they have for their horses and how hard they’ve worked to get here. It just means everything. I’ve been there and I know. For me, it just shows it’s heartfelt. It’s really who they are, and I hope everyone understands how much this means to them. This is our future.”

Team competition will continue tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. (CST) with the Intermediate I and Grand Prix Special, which will determine final results and medals for team competition. Individual competition will take place on Wednesday, July 31, with the Intermediate I Freestyle and Grand Prix Freestyle, crowning individual medalists.

-- USEF press release - Photos © Taylor Pence

Related Link
Eurodressage Coverage of the 2019 Pan American Games