Frank Chapot To Serve as USET Show Jumping Coach/Chef d’Equipe Through 2004

Gladstone, New Jersey—February 27, 2003—Show Jumping Hall of Famer Frank Chapot, who has served as the United States Equestrian Team’s (USET) Show Jumping Chef d’Equipe and Coach since the retirement of Bert de Nemethy in 1980, will continue in that role through 2004.

Chapot, whose career includes riding in six Olympic Games and serving as Chef d’Equipe in five, had his contract renewed by the USET for the next two seasons that will include Pan American Games in 2003 and Olympic Games in 2004.

The USET Show Jumping Committee conducted open rider meetings on both the East and West Coasts to discuss the position of Coach/Chef d’Equipe. Discussions at these meetings, a recommendation by the Show Jumping Active Riders Committee, and the results of a poll conducted among riders who have been on Chapot-coached teams led to the decision to continue the USET’s successful relationship with Chapot. The decision by the USET Show Jumping Committee was approved by the Executive Committees of both the USET and USA Equestrian (USAE).

Under Chapot’s leadership, the USET has won seven Olympic medals and nine Pan American Games medals. Of the five Olympic Games and five Pan American Games for which Chapot has been Chef d’Equipe, his teams have finished without a medal only once.

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