The Will O'Wind Farm, which will stage the one-day event on July 18, 2015, is expected to attract thousands of spectators as equestrians take to the Concours Complet International (CCI) two star championship cross country course that will be up to 5.5 kilometres long and feature 30 to 35 jump efforts, such as water features, drops and log jumps.

The Canadian Government funded course, developed by International Equestrian Federation (FEI) certified designer Wayne Copping, will be known as the Pan Am Cross Country Centre for the Games and is located 30km from the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Centre where the remaining equestrian competitions - dressage and jumping - will take place.

"More than 50 of the top riders from the Americas and Caribbean are coming to the Town of Mono for this exciting event," Toronto 2015 chief executive Saäd Rafi said.

"The all-new course we're designing and building will challenge the skill of these riders and their horses, as well as leave a legacy for the sport in Ontario."

Jessica Phoenix will be hoping to qualify for Rio 2016 on the Toronto 2015 cross country course ©Getty Images


Among the riders due to take to the course is home athlete and defending Pan American eventing champion Jessica Phoenix.

She will, however, face tough competition in Toronto 2015 as the athletes vie to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Canadian Sports Minister Bal Gosal said the Government is "proud" to support the work being undertaken to ensure the venue is Games-ready.

"Canadian riders have had great success at past Games, and we look forward to seeing them triumph on home soil just 18 months from now," he added.

Equestrian has been part of the Pan American Games sport schedule since the first edition in 1951 and is one of only a few sports where men and women compete equally against one another.

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