USET Announces Riders for 2003 Show Jumping Developing Rider European Tour

Gladstone, NJ—May 6, 2003— The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has named five riders plus alternates to participate on the 2003 USET Show Jumping Developing Rider European Tour. Riders named to participate are Candice King of Wellington, FL; Marley Goodman of Palm Beach, FL; Misti Cassar of Thousand Oaks, CA; John French of Redwood City, CA; and Laura Linback of Mundelein, IL, plus alternates in the following ranked order: Robin Sweely of Madison, VA; Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ; Callen Solem of Colts Neck, NJ; Tricia O'Connor of Ocala, FL; Judy Garofalo of Dover Plains, NY; Debbie Stephens of Glenmore, PA; and Mary Lisa Leffler of Brookville, MD.

The USET will provide funding to the five riders participating in the tour, of which four are Developing Riders. They will compete at three international show jumping competitions in Europe:

July 10-13 CSIO Falsterbo, SWE
July 25-27 CSI-A Royan, FRA
July 31-August 3 CSIO Lummen, BEL

The USET initiated the Show Jumping Developing Rider Program in 1996 to provide riders who have not yet reached the Olympic, Pan American, or World Championship level with experience in European international competition. Recent years have seen the addition of Senior Riders to the Developing Rider squads to assist riders with the adjustment to their first FEI experience.

A Developing Rider is defined as an individual who has not represented the United States in the Olympics, Pan American Games, or World Equestrian Games or ridden on more than five Nation’s Cup Teams either in Europe or at Spruce Meadows. Alternates for the Olympics, Pan American Games or World Equestrian Games as well as riders who have competed in the Show Jumping World Cup Final are still considered Show Jumping Developing Riders.

The USET will provide up to $35,000 to each rider who is selected to participate in the tour. Riders will be awarded $25,000 in merit based funding, and an additional $10,000 need based funding will be available to those who qualify.

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