The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Executive Committee just announced their selections for US representation at the Pan American Games Three-Day Event, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next month.

Among the qualifers was the pony Theodore O’Connor, to be ridden by Karen O’Connor (no relation). Theodore finished third overall at the Rolex (Kentucky) Three-Day Event in April and performed well at the Jersey Fresh event a few weeks ago. Karen chose not to go cross-country in New Jersey; it was not necessary for the selection process because of her score in Kentucky. She did compete Theodore in the dressage and show jumping phases.

The horses and riders will train at Stonehall Farm in The Plains, VA beginning June 24 and enter quarantine in Ocala, FL on July 1. The six horses that will ship to Brazil will leave from Miami, Florida on July 11.

I am sure that the complete qualifying list of horses and riders will be posted soon.

In other Pan Am Games news, showjumper Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil has announced that he will return to his native country to compete in the jumping and head a Brazilian team which will hopefully qualify for the 2008 Olympics (the Pan Am Games are an Olympic qualifying competition).

Thanks to Joanie Morris of USEF for her help with this post.