![Team Gold for U.S. Dressage Team (StockImageServices.com)](http://www.usefnetwork.com/images/articles/8037/dsg podium 2.jpg)
Team Gold for U.S. Dressage Team (StockImageServices.com)
Bolstered by the superlative performances in team competition, the individual Freestyle tests were equally as impressive. Olympic, World Equestrian, and Pan American Games medalist Peters and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 excited the crowd and the judges with excellence to achieve the Individual Gold medal. Fellow compatriots Graves and Verdades excelled in their Freestyle to earn the Individual Silver Medal.
![Team Gold for U.S. Eventing Team (StockImageServices.com)](http://www.usefnetwork.com/images/articles/8038/5pa17477.jpg)
Team Gold for U.S. Eventing Team (StockImageServices.com)
Revealing the skill and depth of the team, all four combinations completed the cross-country portion with no faults and began Sunday’s show jumping phase on their dressage scores. The U.S. team was in close contention with Brazil and Canada as the crowd watched a nail-biting contest in the Caledon Equestrian Park. Dutton and Thomas Tierney and Ann Jones’ Fernhill Fugitive had an unlucky rail early in the course, putting the pressure on the remaining three athletes. Kieffer and Marie Le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook's Scarlett performed fault-free, as did Boyd Martin and the Pancho Villa Syndicate’s Pancho Villa. Last to enter the ring for the U.S. were Little and RF Scandalous. Sitting in second place individually, the pair needed a clean round to keep its hopes for Gold alive. With her solid background in show jumping, Little delivered a fault-free performance and ultimately earned both a Team and an Individual Gold Medal.
![Team Bronze for USA Show Jumping (StockImageServices.com)](http://www.usefnetwork.com/images/articles/8039/5pa22608-1.jpg)
Team Bronze for USA Show Jumping (StockImageServices.com)
The first round of Nations Cup competition proved to result in an unlucky rail for all four athlete and horse combinations. Unwavering in its confidence and determination, the team returned to produce the singular feat of four fault-free rounds in the second phase, earning a Team Bronze medal behind Canada for Gold and Argentina for Silver. It was Bloomberg’s first championship competition and her first medal experience. Robin Parsky and Farrington’s Gazelle and the Ohlala Group’s Ohlala, ridden by Hough, earned valuable experience as they competed brilliantly in their first championship.
Heading into the Individual competition, multiple Olympic and Pan American team Gold medalist Ward continued his winning ways with Sagamore Farm’s Rothchild. With Ward and Rothchild as one of only two combinations to produce two clean rounds, the Gold medal was decided in a thrilling jump-off with Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez. Famous for his jump-off acumen, Ward and the chestnut gelding flew around the short course leaving all the poles in the cups. Rodriguez dropped a rail on course, and Ward was rewarded with Pan American Individual Gold. In a five-horse jump-off for Bronze, Hough and her gusty mount Ohlala were the only clear round, resulting in Individual Bronze.
Amassing a total of eight medals in equestrian competition, the United States was the leader in medals won. Five individual medals and three team medals represent the hard work of a large contingent of riders, coaches, veterinarians, farriers, and behind-the-scenes support staff. As the 2015 Pan American Games equestrian competition drew to a close, the United States athletes proudly wore their medals as they looked forward to future medal contention in 2016.
The USEF International High Performance Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, USOC, and USEF Sponsors and Members. Without the support of these organizations and individuals, it would not be possible to support our athletes. The USEF is especially grateful to individuals who give generously of their time and money to support the equestrian teams.