Gladstone, NJ—April 10, 2003— The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced that it will provide funding to five riders to participate on the 2003 USET Show Jumping Developing Rider European Tour. The five riders on the tour will include three Developing Riders, one Senior Rider, and a fifth rider who may be either a Senior or a Developing Rider.

The riders will compete at four international show jumping competitions in Europe:

July 3-5 CSIO Aarhus, DEN
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 a Senior Rider to the Developing Rider squad 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, vaulters 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.