(ATR) The dressage team representing the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games has a lot to celebrate this week, having secured a spot atthe 2016 Rio Olympics.
The U.S. dressage team won a gold medal on Sunday at the Pan Ams and with it, direct qualification for the Rio Games.
On Tuesday, U.S. equestrian veteran Steffen Peters won gold in the men's individual dressage competition.Peters spoke withAround the Ringson Tuesday following his gold medal win.
If he qualifies,the 2016 Rio Olympics would mark Peters' fourth Games competing for the U.S.
ATR also spoke with Robert Dover, the U.S. dressage team coach and Chef d'Equipe for the 2015 Pan Ams.
Dover competed at six consecutive Olympics for the U.S. equestrian team, beginning with the 1984 Los Angeles Games.The 1994 equestrian world champion, and graduate of the University of Georgia, switched from competing to coaching in 2005.
When asked what makes the Toronto Pan Ams stand out so far, Dover tells ATR thatthe U.S. team's performance over the past few days is a high-point in his career.
Written and produced byNicole Bennett
For general comments or questions,click here.
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics isAroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.