Lauren Sammis (right, above) rode Sagacious HF (left, above) to a first place finish and Team Gold for the USA in the dressage competition at the Pan AM Games in Brazil today. This candid photo was shot during casual training at the new equestrian center barn. (photo courtesy of Lauren Sammis and Hyperion Farm; isn’t email wonderful?)

THE USA SCORED GOLD in Rio de Janeiro earlier today. Lauren Sammis, Chris Hickey and Katie Poulin-Neff held off Canada (silver) and Brazil (bronze) to win the dressage competition. Lauren Sammis on Sagacious HF finished first overall, but I think that individual medals are not awarded in this competition. Scroll down to yesterday’s post to read more about Lauren, Sagacious, and his owners at Hyperion Farm.