Ian Millar Takes the Lead in Pan Am Selection Trials
May 23, 2007
Following the first two Selection Trials for the Pan American Games to be held this July in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Ian Millar holds down the top two spots in the standings. The Trials were held on May 18 and May 20 during the Caledon National tournament at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.
In Friday's $25,000 Alliance Homes Open Welcome , which acted as the first Selection Trial, Millar posted a one-two finish, winning with Redefin and finishing runner-up with In Style. Susan Grange of Lothlorien Farm in Cheltenham, ON, owns both horses.
"We're off to a good start, I would say," smiled Millar, 60, who has earned eight medals, including two Individual Gold, in seven Pan American Games appearances. "The Pan American Games are extremely important because they set the stage for going to the Olympics."
In order to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games, the equestrian portion of which will be held in Hong Kong, Canada must finish in the top three at the Pan American Games, not including the United States who are already qualified by way of their Silver Medal at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Motivated by Millar's one-two finish on Friday, Jill Henselwood accomplished the same feat on Sunday, winning the $50,000 Caledon National Grand Prix with Special Ed and placing second with Black Ice.
"We had a very good course builder that built a beautiful track," said Henselwood, referring to Guiherme Jorge of Brazil, who will also be the show jumping course designer at the 2007 Pan American Games. "Ian Millar gave us a riding lesson on Friday, and he inspired us to ride well today."
With her two clear rounds on Sunday, Henselwood currently sits fourth and fifth in the Selection Trial standings. Millar, who also posted clear rounds on Sunday, remains in first place in the standings with Redefin and is second with In Style. Erynn Ballard, 26, of Hillsburgh, ON, is third in the standings, having posted a clear round on Sunday riding Robin van Roosendael, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Looking Back Farm.
The final three Selection Trials will be held on June 6, 7 and 10 during the Spruce Meadows 'National' Tournament in Calgary, AB. At the conclusion, the top three riders in the standings will be named to the Canadian Show Jumping Team while the Selection Committee, chaired by Terrance Millar, will name an additional two Team members.
