Lexington, KY and Gladstone, NJ – July 16 – The officers and Executive Committee for the proposed new National Governing Body (NGB) of equestrian sport, the US Equestrian Federation (USEF), were elected at a meeting held Tuesday, July 8, at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington, KY.

David J. O’Connor of The Plains, VA, was elected as President. Kathy Knill Meyer of Edwards, CO, was elected as Treasurer and Eric Straus of New Canaan, CT, was elected as Secretary. Armand Leone, Jr. of Glen Rock, NJ, was elected Vice President of International High Performance; Sam Barish of Rockville, MD, was elected as Vice President of FEI Affiliates; Bill Hughes of Chino Hills, CA, was elected as Vice President of National Affiliates and Judy Werner of Waterloo, IL was elected as Vice President of Administration and Finance.

Other members of the Executive Committee include Stephen O. Hawkins of Saddle River, NJ, as the USAE Trust Representative; Frank V. Lloyd of Hackensack, NJ, as the USET Foundation Representative; Mark Leone of Oakland, NJ, as the USOC AAC representative and Bill Moroney of Aldie, VA, Jessica Ransehousen of Unionville, PA, and Valerie Kanavy of Fort Valley, VA, were elected as members at large. The election of Dressage and Eventing athletes is currently on-going.

USA Equestrian will remain the national governing body and national federation for the sport of equestrian until the recognition by the United States Olympic Committee of the United States Equestrian Federation or December 1, 2003, whichever is later.

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