Gladstone, NJ—August 1, 2003—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has approved $50,000 in Athlete Grants to assist athletes with costs associated with international competition.

The Athlete Grant program is designed to fund activities that have a direct impact on athletes’ ability to help the United States win medals at Olympic Games, Pan American Games or World Championships.

This year, the USET has awarded its Athlete Grants as follows:

• $5,000 each to 2003 Pan Am dressage riders Kristina Harrison-Naness and Jan Ebeling, both of California, to assist with their expenses stemming from travel from the west coast to the Cosequin/USET Pan Am trials at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ;
• $5,000 to 2003 World Singles Championship individual Bronze Medalist Fred Merriam to assist him with the costs associated with competing at this year’s CAI Astorp, Sweden, site of the 2004 Singles World Championship;
• $2,500 to each of the 12 eventing riders who will compete in the 2003 Burghley CCI**** in England in September;
• $1,000 to each of the five riders (Margie Engle, Lauren Hough, Chris Kappler, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden) chosen for the 2003 Pan American Games show jumping team to assist them with costs associated with competing in three important international events: CHIO Aachen, Germany; CSI**** Oaks Blenheim, USA and CSIO Spruce Meadows, Canada.

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.