Brazilian dressage riders are getting ready for the 2007 Pan American Games hosted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 13-29, 2007, with the help of Swedish O-judge Eric Lette. For the past two years, Lette has been travelling to Brazil as national team trainer
and he is helping to form a squad and team for the Games.
Through private sponsorhip and some funding by the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Lette has been coaching Brazilian dressage riders in private training sessions as well as at shows. After a final selection trial, Lette has made a short list of seven riders from which the official Brazilian Pan Am team will be picked.
The short listed Brazilian riders are:
- Pia Aragão - Nirvana Interagro
- Dr. Jorge de la Rocha - Livello
- Renata Rabello - Monty
- Mica Schulze - Sir Carl
- Leandro Aparecido da Silva - Silencio do Top
- Rogerio da Silva - Nilo VO
- Luiza Tavares - Samba
"The spirit in the team is very positive and two of the riders are already constantly scoring over 70%," Pia Aragão told Eurodressage. "There will be a lot of pressure for us, as entire Brazil will be watching us compete. But this will also be a support to help the team get a medal."
The Pan Ams are the biggest dressage event ever held on Brazilian soil and the show will be an exclusive opportunity for North and South American countries to qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The two highest ranked countries in the nations' cup (Prix St Georges team competition test) will qualify for the Olympics. The United States already qualified at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
Related Link
Eric Lette Appointed Brazilian Dressage Team Trainer