Mae Chase-Dunn (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Endurance Athletes Association)
October 2, 2013, Official Press Release, Lexington, Kentucky ~ The U.S. was represented well at the Pan American Endurance Championship in Trinidad, Uruguay. On September 27, Mae Chase-Dunn tackled the 120km race in the Senior division while McCamey Kimbler and Mallory Capps contested the Young Riders/Juniors division under the guidance of Chef d’Equipe Emmett Ross.
“Since the U.S. was unable to field a full team for either division, the riders competed as individuals. They rode horses that were leased from Uruguayan stables, and the goal of each rider was to perform as well as her horse was capable of while learning as much as possible about competing at an international level representing the U.S.,” said Ross. “These goals were achieved. All three riders did an excellent job of representing our country and they learned an enormous amount through their participation.”
Chase-Dunn of Riverside, California, ran a smart race with her mount, Chamalu, to finish in 12th place with a time of 7:00:47. The 12-year-old gelding owned by Gabriel Alvarez recovered well throughout the race and traveled at a pace of 17.78 km/hour, giving Chase-Dunn valuable experience at an international championship.
Seventeen-year-old McCamey Kimbler of Aberdeen, South Dakota, rode SB Nazeem to a 13th place finish in the Young Riders/Juniors division with a time of 7:20:46. She and the eight-year-old gelding owned by Haras Santa Barbara achieved a solid performance, traveling at an average speed of 16.97 km/hour.
Mallory Capps, a 19-year-old resident of Cumming, Georgia, also competed in the Young Riders/Juniors division. She guided Alex Robaina’s Serena Hab during the race, but unfortunately the 12-year-old mare did not pass the final vet check.
In the Senior division, Oriana Ricca of Uruguay and Amrillo HLM won with a time of 5:29:30. Maria Pereira of Uruguay claimed the win in the Young Riders/Juniors division with SM Lady Adela, finishing with a time of 5:15:29.
~ends