Darren Chiacchia, of Buffalo, N.Y., will have the chance to defend his 2003 Pan American Games gold medal on July 20-22 in Brazil.

Chiacchia only learned on Wednesday that he would be traveling to Brazil the next day. Originally named as an alternate, Chiacchia and Better I Do It were named as a replacement for Bonnie Mosser and Merloch.Mosser withdrew Merloch, and Phillip Dutton also withdrew Connaught. Dutton will instead compete Truluck, owned by Ann Jones and Shannon Stimson.

Better I Do It is a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Adrienne Iorio. Chiacchia won his 2003 gold medal on Windfall.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to compete at the Pan American Games and defend my title,” Chiacchia said. “I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but now that the horses have flown, I am really, really excited.”