The U. S. Olympic Committee has approved the U. S. Equestrian Federation’s Selection Procedures for the 2011 Pan American Games, which will take place in Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct. 14-30. They are as follows:

Dressage
Gladstone, N.J., will host the dressage selection trials, tentatively Sept. 8-11, which will include the top 15 highest-ranked competitors. Athlete/horse combinations will be ranked according to the final average of their FEI Prix St. Georges and FEI Intermediaire I test scores at qualifying competitions. For a horse/rider combination to receive an invitation to compete in the trials, they must have met the qualification standards.

• Achievement of a 60.00 percent in a Prix St. Georges test on two different occasions at a CDI-level event or national dressage event by Sept. 14
• Achievement of a minimum average score of 63.00 percent by no later than Aug. 22.

The four top-placed riders at the selection trials, plus one substitute will be short-listed no later that Sept. 14. The USEF will then nominate a team of four horse/rider combinations for the USOC’s approval to represent the United States at the Pan American Games.

If necessary, the USEF Dressage High Performance Committee, the USEF High Performance Working Group and the USEF Executive Committee reserve the right for discretionary selection in fielding the best team for the event.

Eventing
Selection for the Pan American eventing team will be based upon:

• The overall performance and soundness of the athlete/horse combination in those 2010/2011 competitions designated as selection trials/tryout events with emphasis on dressage scores; current fitness and cross country and show jumping performance—jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness and rideability
• The previous international experience of the athlete/horse combination, including the demonstrated ability of the athlete/horse combination to succeed in eventing competitions
• The prospect of the athlete/horse combination to win an individual medal or contribute to a team medal at the event

The USEF eventing selectors will give preference to athlete/horse combinations that have only completed CCI** and CCI*** events, and they will nominate five athlete/horse combinations for approval by the USEF Eventing High Performance Committee, the USEF Eventing High Performance Working Group, and the USEF Executive Committee. Once short-listed, competitors must ride at a mandatory outing—an advanced horse trial or combined test. USOC will then name final entries on Sept. 12.

Show Jumping

The short list/nominated entry for the show jumping team will be based upon the Sept. 2 Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List.

The top four ranked athlete/horse combinations will be submitted for approval of the Show Jumping High Performance Committee, the Show Jumping High Performance Working Group, and USEF Executive Committee or its designees. The list will be submitted to the FEI and USOC as the nominated entry no later than September 14.

The selection committee, having consulted with the chef d’equipe and team veterinarian, has the discretion to recommend the replacement of up to two athlete/horse combinations if necessary.