On Aug. 27, Dressage Canada announced the nominees for the Canadian Pan American dressage squad.

The named riders include:

-Diane Creech, Caistor Centre, Ont., on Robbie W, an 8-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Rubin Royal—Rolling Home) owned by Douglas Leatherdale

-Tom Dvorak, Hillsburgh, Ont., on Viva’s Salieri W, a 10-year-old Hanoverian stallion (Viva Voltaire—Salinja, Salieri) owned by Augustine and Christine Walch

-Tina Irwin, Stouffville, Ont., on Winston, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Whinny Jackson—Bianca, Onyx) owned by Mary Ellen Horgan

-Crystal Kroetch, Calgary, Alta., on Lymrix, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Loerke—EM Felicitous, ES Wertherson) owned by the rider

Dvorak and Creech were both members of the 2007 silver medal team at the Pan American Games. Dvorak also qualified a reserve horse, Karen Thompson-Harry’s Corrigan, and he may substitute Corrigan if Viva’s Salieri W has to withdraw.

The Pan American Games are the last chance for Team Canada to qualify directly for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“We have an exceptionally strong team nominated to the Pan American Games this year,” said Gina Smith, chef d’equipe for the Canadian Dressage Team. “I am confident that we will reach our goal of qualifying for the Olympic Games with the consistency that the riders have shown through the selection process.”

The alternate nominations include Roberta Byng-Morris riding her own Reiki Tyme, and Jaimie Holland with her own Fleurina.