FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810, James Hastie, (908) 234-1251

Gladstone, NJ-March 23, 1998

The U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) is proud to announce that Heather Caristo of Hauppauge, NY and Jamie Schmidt of Holland, PA are the winners of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award for 1998. Caristo and Schmidt were both team Gold Medalists at the 1997 North American Young Riders' Championships; Schmidt also won the individual Gold Medal.

Friends of well-known Show Jumping trainer Ronnie Beard have established the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award in honor of Beard's mother. This award will be given annually to two Show Jumping Developing Riders so that they may attend the Show Jumping World Cup Final as observers. This year's Final is in Helsinki, Finland, April 15 - 19.

The Show Jumping World Cup Final is recognized as the world's most important annual individual Show Jumping competition. Forty-four riders qualify for the World Cup Final according to their ranking in their respective home leagues (Western and Eastern Europe, South America, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, U.S. east and U.S. west). Each year ten U.S. riders compete in this "All Star Game" of Show Jumping.

The U.S. Equestrian Team recognizes the importance of exposure to European competition for U.S. riders. The USET wishes to provide this experience, including the chance to attend as observers, to as many athletes as possible. Caristo and Schmidt were chosen based on their potential to represent the United States in international competition and on financial need. Caristo and Schmidt will be provided with round trip air transportation to Helsinki, hotel, meals, and accreditation to the competition.

A Show Jumping Developing Rider is defined as a U.S. citizen who has not represented the United States in Olympic, Pan American, or World Championship competition, or in more than five Nations' Cups either in Europe or at Spruce Meadows. Alternates for the Olympic, Pan American, 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, and are eligible for the award.