SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Equestrian Gallery
      • Stallions
      • Horses & Ponies for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Wednesday, October 09 2019 / Published in General

Dressage Behind the Scenes: The 2019 Pan American Games, Lima, Peru

Jennifer Baumert and Handsome with their silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Photo by Morgan Klingensmith

Dressage rider Jennifer Baumert took home the individual bronze medal from the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, with Betsy Juliano’s 13-year-old Handsome. Jennifer shared her experience as part of the silver medal U.S. Dressage Team with Sidelines.

What was it like getting to Lima?

Before leaving for Lima, our team met for a six-day training camp at the beautiful Five Rings Farm in Wellington, Florida. Charlotte Bredahl led the training portion of the week and Laura Roberts did all the communication and coordinating. It was a really special week: Nora, Endel, Sarah and I spent a lot of time together and bonded over that shared experience.

On the day before the flight, the horses were shipped to the quarantine facility in Miami. That was when Endel’s horses had a minor but badly timed injury, which was devastating to all of us. All but one groom flew to Lima the same day in order to receive the horses in Lima the next day. I was able to see Handsome the morning after we arrived, and by then he was settled in a very spacious stall and enjoying the special treatment of his groom, Morgan Klingensmith.

How did the Pan Am Games compare to other competitions you’ve been to?

I was fortunate to have competed on the Nations Cup team this winter in Wellington, Florida. The format was quite similar: It’s basically a CDI competition but you compete as part of a team first then for individual placing in the freestyle. That adds a lot of pressure; however, it also adds comradeship and support.

The venue and atmosphere in Lima were bigger than any Handsome or I had ever experienced, but it was friendly. It was fun to share the same space with riders from so many different countries. Riders and grooms exchanged pins with other nations, which became a bit of an addictive endeavor during downtime. Our team leader, Laura Roberts, and her support staff were fantastic and kept us informed of everything and anything that we should expect. There were many new experiences but no surprises since we had such great leadership.

Jennifer and Besty Juliano, who owns Handsome, are all smiles as they look at the medal.
Photo by Morgan Klingensmith

Did you and the U.S. Team get to do anything fun in Lima?

Our team was very focused on the task at hand: We spent most of our time at the barn with our horses. We went to bed early and didn’t worry Laura Roberts by getting too adventurous! We had a few team dinners; The food in Lima was extraordinary. We were also able to do a little shopping in the local market area. My family did a lot of sightseeing, so I enjoyed that vicariously through their stories and photos.

Endel Otz wasn’t able to make it to Lima; how did that affect the team?

It was absolutely devastating to lose Endel and Lucky just before departing Florida, after our week bonding in “training camp.” I was devastated for Endel because he and Lucky were in absolute top form at training camp. We were so fortunate that Endel came to Lima to be with us for the competition; It really meant a lot to have him there with us, even though he wasn’t competing. Yes, there was more pressure on all of us because we didn’t have a drop score, but it didn’t change how we rode one bit. All three of us have very consistent competition records and we knew we could produce some great rides and scores.

How did you feel about your performance and the results?

I felt really good about the way Handsome was going in Lima. He had more energy than usual: he got hotter as my test went on, which isn’t usual for him. I liked the added energy but I did have to ride a bit carefully by the end. I was definitely proud that we were able to produce solid team scores. I was most happy with our freestyle: It was just super fun!

What were the big takeaways?

I learned just how much goes into sending our teams to the Games. There is more than a village. At a normal show you have your horse, groom, owner, coach and maybe vet or farrier. The results of the U.S. Dressage Team in Lima was a culmination of a huge amount of time, effort and money from many people behind the scenes. The staff at USEF did site visits before the Games, and The Dutta Corp worked tirelessly to make sure the transport and care of our horses was safe and smooth. We’re very fortunate to have the resources to go into international competition so well prepared.

Another big takeaway for me was learning how I perform under the biggest pressure of my life: I’m not a generally nervous person, but I’m not immune to nerves or outside influences either. I worked with a sports psychologist a bit in the preceding weeks which was helpful. I’m one of those people who always sees what I could do better, but overall I’m proud of myself and Handsome.

Share this page:

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
Tagged under: jennifer baumert, Pan American Games

What you can read next

Mia and Chance: Rescues from Animal Care & Control
Ken Berkley Leads $10,000 Open Jumper High Score Award Standings, Presented by Sir Ruly, Inc.
Natasha Sprengers-Levine & Tara Swersie: Making Strides With STRIDER

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Stallion Gallery

Visit Stallion Gallery

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Holsteiner Stallion - Derringer
    Derringer (Lieutenant Kije/ Solar City x Reverse) 17'2h North American Studbook Approved Holsteiner/ Thoroughbred Cross Won numerous Hunter Derby's and Grand Prix's USEF #5091223 Fresh Cooled & Frozen LFG $1000 Frozen Straws $300 per dose www.Phoenixequestriancenter.com

    [Read more]

  • BUNNY FRENCH
    Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates 434-996-1029 www.loringwoodriff.com

    [Read more]

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • “Jump for the Children” Benefit Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years & Over $3 Million to Duke Children’s
  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Dr. Stephanie Davis: Life as a Veterinarian, Entrepreneur and Mother
  • Cameron Trimino: Feeling the Spark
  • Lia Screnci: In Her Happy Place

Category

Recent Posts

  • Dr. Stephanie Davis: Life as a Veterinarian, Entrepreneur and Mother

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Kelly Mudd When ...
  • Cameron Trimino: Feeling the Spark

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Sara Shier As Ca...
  • Lia Screnci: In Her Happy Place

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Mellisa Fuller G...
  • Meghan O’Donoghue: Thankful For the Gift of Horses

    By Kimberly Gatto Portraits by Kacy Brown While...
  • Keirstin Scott: From Pony Dreams to the International Derby Ring

    By Jessica Grutkowski Photography by Sophia Don...

Copyright © 1987 - 2025  Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!