Canadian team nominated for 2015 Toronto Pan Am Games

On Saturday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Equine Canada (EC) announced the Canadian Equestrian Team (CET) athletes who have been nominated to represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games, taking place July 10-26, 2015 in Toronto, ON. The excitement of equestrian sport at the Pan Am Games will kick off with dressage, which runs on July 11, 12 and 15. Eventing will follow July 17-19, with jumping closing out the equestrian portion of the Games on July 21, 23, and 25. Dressage and jumping will be held exclusively at the OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park, a publicly-owned, world-class facility in Caledon, ON. The dressage and jumping phases of eventing will also take place in Caledon, while the highly-anticipated cross-country phase will be hosted by one of Canada's premier eventing facilities, Will O'Wind Farm in Mono, ON - which will be named the Pan Am Cross-Country Centre during the Games. The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games will prove especially meaningful for the dressage and jumping teams by providing the opportunity to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil. The Canadian eventing team has already secured Olympic qualification through their sixth place finish at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France. Historically, the CET has had great success at the Pan Am Games, most recently bringing home three medals from Guadalajara 2011. Both the dressage and eventing teams earned team silver, while Jessica Phoenix of Cannington, ON won the individual gold medal in eventing. In addition, legendary jumping athlete, Ian Millar of Perth, ON, (known as "Captain Canada") has had immense success, having won nine medals across nine Pan Am Games - more than any other jumping athlete. Millar is also a ten-time Olympian, giving him the record for the most Olympic appearances of any athlete in any sport. The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games will also go down in the history books with a record, as Canada is expecting to field its largest-ever Pan Am Games team, comprised of over 700 athletes. This level of Canadian representation, along with the exciting experience of a "home games" is sure to offer an unforgettable experience for Team Canada athletes volunteers, spectators, and fans alike.   QUOTES   "I am excited to welcome our equestrian athletes to the Canadian Pan Am Games Team. Traditionally, these athletes have delivered outstanding performances and I have full confidence this team has what it takes to continue this trend. Congratulations to all those who were nominated." - Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee   "Canada has a long tradition of excellence in equestrian events and I am proud of the team that has been nominated to represent our country for the Games. Congratulations to the athletes that have been named by Equine Canada." - Curt Harnett, TORONTO 2015 Team Canada Chef de Mission   "Our Canadian Equestrian Team for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games reflects the uniqueness of equestrian sport, with an almost even mix of men and women, and an age range that spans from 24 to 68 years old. We have a very talented and strong team of athletes and horses for these Games, and look forward to witnessing their strength and celebrating their successes in Toronto." - Amie O'Shaughnessy, High Performance Director, Equine Canada   "We are really looking forward to having the Pan Am Games at the Caledon Equestrian Park, a venue that we've spent so much time competing at over the years.  With so many friends in the area supporting us, it should be a great ambiance for Canada.  These Games are especially important for Canada, as Olympic qualification is on the line." - Eric Lamaze, Beijing 2008 Olympic Champion, London 2012 Olympian, four-time Pan Am Games athlete, three-time Pan Am Games medallist   "I am absolutely thrilled to have been named to the team and to be a part of something so important. I feel so honoured to have such a strong team and group of supporters behind it. I am really optimistic about our Canadian team, and ultimately, I don't think there is anything that would stop us from the gold!" - Megan Lane, 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games athlete   "It is a great honour to represent Canada at my tenth Pan American Games in Toronto. The equestrian venue is the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park.  It is an outstanding facility and we are very proud to host the North, Central, and South American Teams.  Our team riders have competed at this facility in the past and we have great memories.  We also have many friends and supporters in the area. To ride for Canada at these Pan American Games is a great privilege." - Ian Millar, ten-time Olympian, nine-time Pan Am Games athlete, nine-time Pan Am Games medallist   "I am incredibly excited to be representing Canada at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games!! Thank you to our owners, sponsors, supporters and our entire staff for their help in pursuing these games." - Jessica Phoenix, London 2012 Olympian,  Guadalajara 2011 Pan Am Games individual gold medallist   "Congratulations to the athletes named today to the Canadian equestrian team for the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games. During this Year of Sport in Canada, we look forward to being inspired by your performances as you proudly wear the maple leaf on home soil." - The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)   Canada will be fielding teams in all three equestrian disciplines featured at the Pan Am Games - dressage, eventing and jumping. The team members are as follows:   Dressage athletes: