We’re three days into this two-week competition now, and, as you’ve probably heard, things aren’t going perfectly. There’s been no live streaming. It’s been warm, and there’s no shade for the spectators. There aren’t many food options at the Caledon venue. But, despite the annoyances (and no video is a big one for those of you at home!), I already have plenty of highlights from the Pan American Games in Toronto. Here are a couple, in no particular order.    

How unfailingly polite everyone is 

(In Canada, even the buses are polite.)

At any major games, there are plenty of things that don’t run smoothly or just weren’t thought of beforehand. One of those here is that journalists for the equestrian sports—held about an hour-and-a-half outside of Toronto—have to trek into the main media center in Toronto proper for photo vests and parking passes. (Other things they didn’t think of: more than one place for spectators to eat at the venue in Caledon, food for media, shade for spectators, minor details.) 

You can’t really drive to the main media center in Toronto, because of the traffic and the lack of parking, so figuring out the public transit was a necessity. We bungled it pretty badly—arrived for our bus when there wasn’t another one coming for an hour, couldn’t find our way to the media center, were running late so someone else had to get our opening ceremony tickets for us—but every person we encountered along the way helped. They gave me my credentials even though I didn’t have my passport with me (after running a background check). 

It’s the same in the media center at the equestrian park; sometimes people don’t know the answers. But they will try and find them for you!

Yeah, it’s a stereotype that Canadians are polite, but this trip’s really proving it true. 

Tear-jerker moments you don’t expect

(Who’s crying? Not me. OK, I am.)

It wasn’t the best ride of the day—it earned a 61.42 percent, which was 40th out of 41 on Sunday—but when Argentina’s Maria Juliana Ugalde finished her ride with the 18-year-old Caquel Cautivo, she folded herself down onto this neck, giving him the biggest hug for several seconds. He just stood there, soaking up the applause and her affection, and, dammit, I started getting teary. She sat up, waved at the crowd, wiped her own eyes, and grinned. 

Sometimes when I’m covering an event like this, I forget that not everyone’s goal here is to win a medal. Maybe they just want good rides, better scores, a chance to show off a partnership with a horse. It’s as fun to see those moments as it is to watch the medal winners.  

Jacqueline Brooks as volunteer 

(Jacquie for the win! Photo by Lindsay Berreth)

But seriously, how cool is that? It makes me want to go home and sign up to volunteer for something. 

Realizing how much the world’s changed in just a few years

No, it’s not good that the team dressage wasn’t live-streamed. It’s a disservice to riders and fans. But it makes you realize how accustomed we are to being able to watch everything we want—we now take it for granted!—and it makes you realize how much the world’s changed in just four years. The 2011 Pan American Games weren’t live-streamed, and no one complained then because live-streaming just wasn’t a thing yet.  

It makes the sport better and more open when spectators can watch from all over the world. It was a lost opportunity at this Pan American Games, but the overall trend of video everywhere? That’s a great thing.  

The Brazilian dressage team

(So happy.)

Statistically bronze medalists are happier than silver medalists, and that seemed to be the case with the Brazilian dressage team on Sunday. (Of course, Canada had also just lost their chance for team Olympic qualification, which was a blow.) They hugged before they got on the podium. They hopped up as a group. They hugged on the podium. Sarah Waddell actually danced on the podium (which I could show you, if there was video). They had their own fight with Mexico for that bronze, and those scores were close, and the Brazilian team was STOKED. Their happiness was infectious.  

Pachi!

(Teach me your moves, Pachi.)

Pachi’s not getting a lot of love out in the world, but I love you, Pachi. You’re a good dancer.  

Timbits 

I don’t think I need to expand on that. 

Keep up with all our adventures!