It has been 29 years since Canada fielded a show jumping team at a major Games which did not include Ian Millar or Eric Lamaze. They would be proud of this Canadian Show Jumping Team at the Pan Am Games in Lima, who had a terrific first competition over Guilherme Jorge’s speed course, with just a single rail between them. However, a shocking elimination would cast a cloud over the event for the team even though Canada was sitting in third place at the end of the day.
When Lisa Carlsen and Parette set off as the trailblazers for Canada and logged a perfect, careful trip in 77.74 seconds, it seemed like the squad was off to a great start. Minutes later, however, the results showed that the 13-year-old Brandenburg mare had been eliminated. Blood on the side from a slight spur mark was deemed to be the cause.
Carlsen, 54, who is competing at her first Pan Am Games in 32 years, said in a statement: “My horse got a minor rub today, and when the stewards looked at her during the post-round check, they made the call to eliminate us. The well-being of my horse is my number one priority, and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. Rules are rules, but I would never intentionally harm my horse. Parette has been carefully checked out and cleared by vets for competition tomorrow and I look forward to continuing to do our best for the team.”