If only Jill Terceira could have started her Pan-Am Games with the conviction in which she finished.

A near-perfect clear round with resounding applause was how the Holland-based show jumper bowed out of Rio.

Unfortunately, her uncharacteristic opening-day display would always hang over her tournament, ensuring she could only finish as high as 25th with 91.49 penalty points.

But if that position had been offered to her immediately after that roguish ride on sometimes-temperamental stallion Navantus, it is likely Terceira would have accepted graciously.

Indeed, she had feared her Games were over as soon as they had begun with elimination - so her delight with her superb final ride was understandable.

"I'm delighted with the way things finished and it's unfortunate the way things began," said Terceira whose first outing was dealt a hefty 21.78 penalty points.

"Navantus is a stallion and mistakes effect him and I think it's taken him three or four rounds to re-build his confidence.

"He jumped a clear round, with a two-point time fault, so I'm very pleased with him. We improved every day and this last round was the biggest course. I rode him aggressively and I'm pleased he stepped up for me.

"I've a few mixed emotions with my own performance but the Games have been superb.

"You can tell by the amount of eliminations that it's been a tough event and I'm pleased I finished every round."

A seven-hour road trip with both Bermuda's horses to Sao Paulo awaits Terceira, who will spend a week on the Island before departing to Switzerland where she will compete in a competition.

Fellow Bermudian Patrick Nesbitt enjoyed an encouraging Games, finishing a respectable 17th with 52.99 penalty points. His final performance was handed 13-penalty points with the rider making steady progress on horse Antille 8 throughout the event.

It is believed Bermuda also achieved their chief objective of securing a place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"It needs to be clarified but I believe we have a spot for one individual at the Olympics," said Terceira.

"It has to be confirmed and Chef de Equipe Paul Pereech will let as now ¿ but it looks as though we have a spot.

"The Bermuda Equestrian Federation will chose an individual so at this moment both Patrick and I are bidding for the spot.

"Until May 1 2008 we will have to compete at FEI courses at a certain level and meet minimum eligibility.

"In fact I believe competing at the Pan-Am Games may have actually qualified us both with minimum eligibility, so it will be a case of how the year goes and who is fittest and strongest.

"As far as I now it's up to our own federation to chose so I'm sure they will make their own standards."

Jill Henselwood, from Canada scooped the gold medal with just 4 penalty points, while Brazilian Roderigo Pessora took silver with 5.74 penalty points. Canadian Eric Lamaze finished third withe 6.43 penalties.