July 16, 2026
A Pan American Championship has been created for dressage, eventing and jumping to be staged at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala next Jan. 21-31 during the intense Florida winter circuit, with eventing cross-country at nearby Florida Horse Park.
Future events will be once every four years–but the next championship scheduled for 2029, a year ahead of the World Championships and two years before the Pan American Games. Plans are to add para dressage and vaulting in the future.
The three disciplines are the same as in the long established Pan American Games that are scheduled for Lima, Peru six months after the American-staged championships this year.
At Ocala, the Pan American Equestrian Confederation that announced the championships Thursday, dressage will be a mix of Big and Small Tour combinations, jumping will be at 1.45-1.50-meter level and eventing at the 2*-S level.
Countries from the 30 that are in the Americas may field teams of up to five athletes, including one reserve, in all three disciplines. Qualification is based on the Minimum Eligibility Requirements, and team and individual medals will be awarded in each discipline at the only FEI medal championship for senior teams in the Americas.
US Equestrian will be the official host, the World Equestrian Center the organizing committee, and PAEC as a major organizer of the championships.
The event will run concurrently with weeks III and IV of WEC’s 2027 Winter Spectacular Show Series so as to utilize existing infrastructure.
“The ‘Championship’ was created to provide more opportunities for riders across the Americas, grow the sport, and build a structured pathway for athletes,” said PAEC President Cesar Hirsch. “The idea was a continuation of PAEC’s mission of supporting and growing equestrian sport from the grassroots to the elite level.”
PAEC said in a statement it “believes that the Championship will provide countries with a valuable opportunity to showcase emerging talent and support the development of the next generation of athletes or could serve as a platform for countries to field their top athletes and refine preparation ahead of major championships such as the Pan American Games.”
“PAEC aims serve all of the countries in the Americas with this landmark event, no matter the extent of their high performance program,” Cesar said. “We want to build a legacy.”
“This event is a great example of quick action and collaboration undertaken to establish the FEI PAEC Championship of the Americas. This concept has been long overdue but is finally coming to fruition due to exemplary cooperation and coordination among the FEI, USEF, PAEC, and, of course, WEC, whose team set out to offer support, resolve issues, and ensure a viable championship for the future,” said US Equestrian President Tom O’Mara. “It will be a great addition to athlete pathways across all of the Americas and will sync nicely with the Pan American Games going forward.”
