Read about the Gold-medal Team effort here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/news/7769/2011/10/23/historic_team_gold_medal_for_us_e.aspx
![Hannah Burnett (Silver), Jessica Phoenix (Gold) and Buck Davidson (Bronze). Shannon Brinkman Photo.](/images/articles/2357/panams2011brinkmansj2a-301.jpg)
Hannah Burnett (Silver), Jessica Phoenix (Gold) and Buck Davidson (Bronze). Shannon Brinkman Photo.
"I'm just really honored to be on this horse and this team," said Burnett. "I'm also really happy for Jess... The team competition definitely had a bit more pressure, you want to make your team proud and your country proud."
But Harbour Pilot was produced by David O'Connor, so there are a lot of people with a stake in this homebred of Mars'. Burnett felt the weight of all of the connections of her horse.
"William's owner couldn't be here this weekend, David trained the horse, there was a lot of pressure - I wanted to do well for them," said Burnett. "I am just honored. It's fantastic to be part of a team like this and have the camaraderie that we had throughout the week, everyone supports you all the way around, you just have to go and do your job, and my horse did his job."
Davidson (Ocala, FL) led the team as the most experienced rider of the five - and he was rewarded for his efforts with his first Individual medal. Sixth at the 1999 Pan American Games, Davidson and Sharon Will's 8-year-old homebred mare Absolute Liberty thrived in Mexico. Davidson knew the team medal was the priority, and the Individual honors were just a bonus. They finished on their dressage score of 48.9.
"For me and this whole team, our goal was to win Team Gold," said Davidson. "There was more pressure and more joy in winning the Team Gold. We are such a close team, I feel bad for Michael - I almost feel guilty sitting here. You want to come as a team, win as a team and leave as a team - and that's what we're going to do."
![Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Shannon Brinkman photo.](/images/articles/2356/hannahpanams2011brinkmansj2a-71.jpg)
Hannah Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Shannon Brinkman photo.
"It's a great honor to ride for your country," said Davidson. "I'm very excited for Sharon Will who bred her and raised her and thought she was something special, she went through a couple of people but she landed in my barn and I'm very thankful."
ENDS
Follow the U.S. Team at the Pan American Games (photos, blogs and more): http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PanAmGames/
And on Twitter: @USEquestrianHP
For media requests or more information, please contact USEF Press Officer, Joanie Morris at [email protected].