Gladstone, NJ--April 15, 1999--The United States Equestrian Team (USET) announced today that June 20-27,1999 has been officially named "United States Equestrian Team National Horse Week" as listed in Chase's Calendar of Events. The week is designated to honor the talented equestrian athletes -- horses, riders and drivers - who represent our country and to encourage broader interest in equestrian sports.

This commemorative week coincides with USET's annual Bayer/USET Festival of Champions -- five days of competitions, demonstrations and selection trials for the Pan American Games -- all held at its Olympic TrainingCenter in Gladstone, NJ.

Throughout the week there will be special tributes and celebratory events. During the Festival, attendees will witness the excitement of Olympic-caliber equestrians competing in six disciplines: show jumping, eventing, dressage, endurance, combined driving and reining.

"We are proud to be presenting National Horse Week," said Robert Standish, executive director, USET. "The athletes, owners, trainers, grooms and fans who make equestrian sports possible deserve to be honored in this way. We are looking forward to celebrating this special week annually in June."

"United States Equestrian Team National Horse Week" has been officially accepted by Chase's Calendar of Events, the ultimate reference calendar which lists a day-by-day directory of special days, weeks and months. It also takes place during "New Jersey's Month of the Horse,"which was recentlyproclaimed by New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman.

USET plans to expand the week's activities by partnering with other horse organizations such as the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA), Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and the United States Pony Club (USPC). "Among the AQHYA, IHSA, USET and USPC, there are more than 65,000 members. We hope this equestrian celebration will grow to great proportions in the years to come," states Standish.

Tickets for the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions are $10 for adults and $6 for children, 6 to 12 years old. Admission is free for children under the age of 6. For more Festival information please call the Festival hotline at (908) 234-0555, or USET at (908) 234-1251. Additional Festival details will be posted in the coming months on USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization, headquartered in Gladstone, NJ, which selects, trains, equips, finances and promotes equestrians of the highest possible standard for major international competition, including the Olympics. In doing so, USET seeks out and nurtures the growth of talented athletes - horses, riders and drivers - providing the support and guidance to enable them to achieve their dreams.