A sporting discipline in which a rider and horse navigate various obstacles, equestrian events have been contested on the international stage for more than 100 years. The second edition of the modern Olympic Games in 1900 featured equestrian events such as jumping, long jump, and mail coach carriage driving. Equestrianism remains part of the Olympic program with medal events in eventing, jumping, and dressage.
While the Olympic Games is the biggest stage for equestrianism, it’s far from the sport’s only international event. Annual competitions like the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event, Badminton Horse Trials, and the Royal Horse Show attract some of the most accomplished riders in the world.
The Pan American Games is another prominent event that brings together the best riders from countries in the Americas. Organized by the Pan American Sports Organization, the Games have been held every four years since its inception in 1951. The United States is the most successful nation in this competition, winning 99 of the 273 total medals awarded. Eleven different countries have won at least one medal. Below are the five countries with the most medals.
United States
The US has won a record 49 gold as well as 32 silver and 18 bronze medals since the first Pan American Games in 1951. At the last Games in 2019, the US won three gold, two silver, and three bronze medals. Sarah Lockman (First Apple) won gold in individual dressage and Boyd Martin (Tsetserleg) won gold in individual eventing, while the group of Lynn Symansky (RF Cool Play), Tamie Smith (Mai Baum), Doug Payne (Star Witness), and Martin (Tsetserleg) finished first in team eventing.
Martin, who had previously competed in two Olympic Games and was ranked No. 7 in the world, earned his first individual championship medal in 2019. He received his second-best international score in dressage (25.6) and was one of only two riders to complete the cross-country course without fault in the allotted time of eight minutes and 14 seconds. Beezie Madden (Breitling LS), competing in her 10th major international competition, won the bronze medal in jumping. It was the 13th medal she won in her career.
“It’s always great for your team when you come through with something you had as a goal for the year,” Madden said of her and her teammates’ performance, speaking to EventingNation.com. She went on to explain that, while it was always their goal to win some medals for their country, this is easier said than done—so when they emerged victorious, it was a great feeling.
The US won eight medals in 2015 and a record 10 medals at the 2011 Pan American Games. Steffen Peters (Weltino’s Magic) and Christine McCrea (Romantovich Take One) each won a pair of gold medals in 2011.
Canada
Canada has won 56 medals, including 20 gold, at the Pan American Games. It finished third in medal standings in 2019 with one gold, silver, and bronze medal. Jill Irving (Degas 12), Tina Irwin (Laurencio), Lindsay Kellock (Floratina), and Naïma Moreira-Laliberté (Statesman) won gold in team dressage. Canada won five medals in 2015.
Ian Millar is not only Canada’s most accomplished rider at the Pan American Games but one of the sport’s most decorated athletes. He has a record 10 Pan American medals, including two individual gold, and competed in a record 10th Olympics at the London 2012 Games. Riding Big Ben, he won back-to-back World Cup Finals in 1988 and 1989. He is also a nine-time national show jumping champion with Star Power.
Brazil
Brazil ranks fourth in total equestrian medals at the Pan American Games with 30, but its eight gold medals are the third-most among all competing nations. It won two of those gold medals in jumping at the 2019 Pan American Games. Marlon Zanotelli (Sirene de la Motte) won the individual gold, while she and Eduardo Menezes (H5 Chaganus), Rodrigo Lambre (Chacciama), and Pedro Veniss (Quabri de’l Isle) finished first in team jumping. Brazil also won silver and bronze in team eventing and team dressage, respectively. Carlos Parro (Quaikin Quirous) won bronze in individual eventing.
Mexico
Mexico has won 34 medals, including seven gold, at the Pan American Games. It won just one medal, a silver, in the team jumping competition at the 2019 Pan American Games. Humberto Mariles is one of Mexico’s most decorated riders. He won three medals, including two gold, at the 1948 London Games and was part of the gold-medal winning Mexican jumping team at the 1955 Pan American Games.
Chile
Chile has won seven gold, six silver, and 13 bronze medals at the Pan American Games, though it was kept off the podium at the 2019 event. The South American nation was the most successful country in equestrian events at the inaugural Pan American Games, winning gold medals in team and individual dressage and show jumping. Chile is hosting the 2023 Pan American Games, which will take place October 20 – November 5 in Santiago.