Reddick, FL - August 1, 2019: The Ocala Jockey Club is set to cheer for its past competitors and clients representing their countries in the eventing discipline at the Pan American Games taking place August 2-4 in Lima, Peru (“Pan Am Games”).

Team USA is represented by five riders at the Pan Am Games, all of which have previously competed at the annual Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event. The U.S. Eventing Team will compete August 2 – 4 at the Escuela de Equitación del Ejército La Molina in Lima, Peru. Boyd Martin will ride Tsetserleg, joined by Tamie Smith with Fleeceworks Royal, Lynn Symansky with RF Cool Play, Doug Payne with Starr Witness, and Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp with Cooley Quicksilver as reserves. The Ocala Jockey Club is cheering on Team USA as they look to get on the podium and to earn the chance to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games next summer. Information about the Team USA human and equine team members and their performance at Lima can be found at The United States Equestrian Team Foundation's website at www.uset.org.

“The Ocala Jockey Club is proud that our November event and farm has been supported by the best of the best in the sport. Along with all five Team USA riders having previously competed at our November Event, so have three of the five Team Canada members. In addition, Team Mexico spent this past winter season in residence at the Ocala Jockey Club, training to get ready for the Pan Am Games. The support by this caliber of riders confirms the quality of Marion County in general, and the Ocala Jockey Club farm in particular. This is yet another reason why Ocala is proud to call itselfthe Horse Capital of the WorldTM”, said Pavla Nygaard, President of the Ocala Jockey Club.

The excellent footing, viewing opportunities and stunning spectator-friendly rolling hill terrain have propelled the Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event to bring $1 million of annual economic impact to Marion County and to win the 2018 Florida Sports Foundation Small Market Event of the Year Award. It has also quickly established itself as a popular destination for top-level riders. Lynn Symansky, one of the Team USA members at the upcoming Pan American Games, says: "The OJC is a real destination event with a true international feel. It's a world class facility with spectacular viewing and entertainment for spectators and owners. It's an event I look forward to bringing my horses to every year... great atmosphere and courses on beautiful rolling terrain. They do a fantastic job putting on a top class event." In recognition of its sports tourism value, the event has been generously supported with a grant by the Marion County Visitors & Convention Bureau (MCVCB) as well as numerous local and national sponsors.

This year's 4th annual Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event is set to run November 14-17, 2019. This year's CCI4-L and CCI4-S divisions will serve as a qualifying event to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the only one to be held in the Southeast. The cross-country course will be designed by Olympic Individual Silver medalist Clayton Fredericks along with Mike Etherington-Smith, the course designer for the Sydney and Beijing Olympic Games, as Assistant Course Designer. Shelley Page, the eventing discipline organizer at the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games, is the Event Organizer.

The OJC facility, with its rolling hills and showcase old-growth Spanish-moss-laden oak trees, is a crown jewel in the horse country of Ocala, Florida. About 200 acres of the 950-acre Ocala Jockey Club property serve as a Thoroughbred training farm and to stand stallions. The facility also includes townhouses and an iconic clubhouse, which serves as a unique venue for weddings, meetings and other special events. For more information on the Ocala Jockey Club, visit www.ocalajc.com. For more information on the 2019 Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event, visit www.ojc3de.com.

Lynn Symansky, 2019 Pan American Games Team USA member, rides off-track Thoroughbred Donner at the 2016 Ocala Jockey Club International 3-Day Event. The combination won that year's Ocala Jockey Club Thoroughbred Eventing Champion Award, and Lynn earned the Top Lady Rider Award as well.