Chef d’Equipe Paul Pereech believes it is inconceivable Bermuda’s talented show jumping duo will not be among the medal challengers at the Pan-Am Games.

Jill Terceira and Patrick Nesbitt spent yesterday morning grooving their way into form at the National Equestrian Centre with both potential podium finishers for the Island.

With a wealth of event experience between them, it is hoped Terceira and Nesbitt will be among the top individual qualifiers at the very least with both genuine medal contenders.

Speaking to the Royal Gazette from the Pan-Am Village Pereech backed both to enjoy fruitful competitions and paid special tribute to Annabelle Collins who finished tenth in the dressage final.”These two riders definitely have a medal chance,” he said. “There are a lot of top professionals competing but all we can do is hope for the best performance out of each of our individuals.

“Our ambitions are to medal or certainly be one of the top individual qualifiers. The top individual placed person at the Pan-Am Games will win a spot at the Beijing Olymics for their country — that’s our objective.”

Qualifiers were held until May 20 at accredited competitions throughout Europe and the UK.

And Pereech believes the stringent qualifying levels Bermuda’s riders had to reach will stand them in good stead in their quest for medals.

“The qualifiers were quite a low level, but we purposefully made ours more stringent because we knew the level of competition at Pan-Am was going to be high.

“For the safety of both horse and rider I felt they needed to be competing at that level to start with.

“Both individuals did extremely well in qualifying with Jill qualifying with two horses, but chose to bring what she felt was her better horse.

“Both riders arrived in Rio on Wednesday with Jill actually travelling with the two horses from Luxembourg.

“They flew into Sao Paulo, where they were retained, before making a seven-and-a-half hour truck journey.” Pereech will be residing at the Pan-Am Village with the majority of Bermuda’s delegates and said he was impressed with the overall standard of facilities.

“I love the village and this is the first time I have been a Chef d’Equipe at a major competition — the atmosphere is electric and I love it.

“Communication is a problem but Bermudians seem to do ok in finding someone to help us — maybe it’s the smile we always have on our faces.

“Personally I haven’t had many problems but sometimes things can take a little longer to get done than you would like.”

Fellow member of Bermuda’s equestrian family Annabelle Collins finished tenth in the dressage final on Wednesday with an overall Games score of 64.550.

Pereech added: “Annabelle has done superb, absolutely superb, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to get out to see her ride as I was at the airport.

“I know the judges were the top judges around and they placed her very well. I have spoken to Annabelle and her family and everybody is elated.”