Bermuda show jumper Patrick Nisbett has pinned his hopes for Pan Am Games success on the experience of his trusted mount Cantaro.The ex-PHC footballer made the difficult decision to choose his 11-year-old gelding over his other horse, Milton des Cresles, at the weekend.Both man and beast were due to embark on the long journey to Guadalajara, Mexico from their base just outside Munich, Germany last night.On the eve of his departure for the Games, Nisbett admitted that choosing one horse over the other was not an easy decision to make.“Both of them are fit and Milton really came into great form towards the end of summer and so it was a bit difficult to make the decision,” he said. “But in the end I decided that because Jill (Terceira) and I need to put our best foot forward to secure a spot (Olympic) for Bermuda it was best to take my horse with more experience and mileage in the big championships.”To achieve 2012 Olympic qualification both Nisbett and Terceira must do well in their respective divisions and then rely on a little help from regional powerhouses USA.As it stands, the FEI (world governing body) only allocate Olympic spots per group, with Bermuda grouped along with Canada, USA and the Caribbean. Bermuda’s hopes of booking a ticket to England next year hinge largely on the Americans qualifying a team.“In a nutshell we need to pray like hell that USA qualify and then hope either Jill or myself have good enough results (at Pan Am Games) to secure a spot for Bermuda,” Nisbett added. “If USA qualify a team this will open up individual spots for Bermuda.”Only one rider will eventually represent Bermuda at next year’s Olympics in the UK.Nisbett has left no stone unturned in his Pan Am Games preparations, paying special detail to getting his horse in the best physical shape.“I’ve been working on his fitness for two or three months now and he’s looking and feeling super fit,” he said. “I gave him a break from competing and travelling so that he’s good and fresh for Mexico.“So far everything has gone according to plan, which doesn’t happen often with horses. We are feeling good and hopefully all the hard work we have put in pays off in Mexico.”Nisbett’s career has come on in leaps and bounds since representing Bermuda at the 2007 Pan Am Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he placed 17th.Earlier this year he won the $100,000 Euro Grand Prix in Spain riding Cantaro and last year made his first appearance at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA on the same horse.Nisbett hopes to reach the finals in Mexico, a goal he feels is realistically within his reach.“At this point in time I’m hoping to be in the top 25 to be able to jump in the final,” he said. “We have had a good year and so we want to do well.”Nisbett and Terceira are due to compete in the showjumping events next Monday, with their horses to undergo inspection two days earlier.