USET Withdraws NGB Challenge

USA Equestrian, Inc., the National Equestrian Federation of the United States, announced today that the United States Equestrian Team has withdrawn its Challenge to the status of the Federation as the national governing body for equestrian sport.

The USET filed its Challenge with the United States Olympic Committee in February 2001, seeking to replace USA Equestrian as the NGB. A panel of USOC trustees held a hearing in October 2001 and, after mediation efforts failed, the panel issued a report in June 2002, finding that the USET did not meet the qualifications to be the NGB, but that the NGB status of USA Equestrian should be revoked if it did not merge with the USET to create a new organization within 180 days. After the USOC adopted this recommendation in July 2002, the Federation appealed this decision to an arbitration panel, as authorized by the federal Amateur Sports Act.

Last Friday, the Superior Court of New Jersey held that the USET lacks both proper authorization and proper documentation to continue with the Challenge. Apparently as a result of this ruling, the USET notified the USOC yesterday that it has decided to withdraw its Challenge.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this, the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org