Gladstone, New Jersey - March 23

1998-Olympic caliber competition is once again galloping toward United States Equestrian Team (USET) Headquarters and Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, New Jersey for the 1998 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, June 18-21.

Held for the eighth year during New Jersey's Month of the Horse, the 1998 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions engages the United States' best equestrian athletes in competition at the highest level. This year those athletes compete for the chance to represent the U.S. in World Championship competition at the World Equestrian Games in Rome, Italy, September 30-October 11. Each year, the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions provides spectators and their families an exciting opportunity to discover the four equestrian disciplines of Combined Driving, Dressage, Endurance and Show Jumping-all at one sporting event. While hoofing it (or saddling up on a courtesy bus) around USET Headquarters, spectators will be amazed at performances by internationally acclaimed Black Beauty; entertained by cooperative mounted unit demonstrations by both New York and New Jersey's finest, conducted in honor of the New York City (NYC) Centennial Celebration; and amused by the diversions delighting the youngest spectators in the "Children's Corral" with celebrity guests, special events and surprises.

Between trips to meet and pet the police horses in the "Children's Corral," families can wonder at the scores of horses and carriages bustling around the property and for a moment revisit a not-so-distant time when horses were a part of every American's life. Imagine yourself sitting next to the nation's best drivers during the Combined Driving Event, sponsored by the Gladstone Equestrian Association (GEA). This year, one can marvel at a spectacular four-in-hand during the final selection trial for the World Championship at the World Equestrian Games, or enjoy the Singles and Pairs driving division as you look at top level competition throughout the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions.

Picture yourself mastering Dressage, equestrian gymnastics, in time for a schedule which includes selection trials for the 1998 World Equestrian Games as well as the Miller's Harness Company/USET Grand Prix and Intermediaire I Dressage Championships, presented by Rio Suite Hotel and Casino. Become part of the excitement during the challenging Grand Prix championship which features a Grand Prix Special and the beautiful musical Freestyle event. Test your determination during the 50 mile ride for the Sooner Trailer/USET Championship Endurance Ride, a mounted marathon helping to determine who will compete in the 1998 Endurance World Championship in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai.

Reach for new heights with your 1200-pound partner in the Fleet/USET Show Jumping Division, featuring the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship, presented by Ethel M Chocolates, offering three of the eight rounds of selection trials for the World Equestrian Games. Hone your skills with the USET's future Olympic stars in the $35,000 Cosequin/USET Junior/Amateur-Owner Talent Derby, presented by BET on Jazz.

Let contenders for the U.S. Paralympic Equestrian Team inspire you during the Bradshaw "Challenge of Champions" when they are teamed with Olympic veterans and other able-bodied athletes for a dynamic team competition. When the national anthem stops and you step down from the victory podium, lead your horse back to drink in demonstrations and clinics conducted by the sport's leading professionals including a falconry demonstration, blacksmith demonstration and Reining demonstration-the USET's newest and first western discipline. In a series of clinics sponsored by Merrill Lynch, Olympic Show Jumping veteran George Morris returns to show you his proven methods of success, Kathy Connelly shares her knowledge of Dressage and Shawna Karrasch applies training techniques learned at Sea World to horses and achieves remarkable results.

Trot into the Country Fair with over 70 vendors offering a wide variety of restaurants and shops. Fill your saddlebag with a large selection of gifts, crafts, jewelry and equestrian supplies and learn more about the youth art show or bring an entry to the 4-H Model Horse Show! To learn how you can horse around with America's best please call the FESTIVAL HOTLINE at (908) 234-0555 or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.com!