Investment Pays Dividends!

Gladstone, NJ-September 15, 1998
The United States Equestrian Team (USET) continued to successfully invest in its future with the 1998 Show Jumping Developing Rider Tour.

The tour competed at CSI-A Gijon, Spain August 22-24 and CSIO-Gijon August 26-30; CSIO Linz, Austria September 3-6, and CSIO Prague, The Czech Republic September 10-13. Legendary USET show jumping competitor and trainer George Morris served as chef d'equipe during Gijon and USET Developing Rider Committee Chairman Ronnie Beard was the chef d'equipe at Linz and Prague.

The highlight of the tour came on September 11 with a second place finish to Germany in the Nations' Cup competition at Prague. Riding for the USET were Schuyler Kuryla of Wellington, FL and Southbeach Stables's Ilian; Gabriella Salick of Thousand Oaks, CA and Sandstone Farm's Sandstone Dorina; Ellen Talbert of Cedarsburg, WI and Bayside Farm's Grand Jete; and Robin Sweely of Madison, VA and Acorn Hills' Latinus. Of the fifteen countries competing in the Nations' Cup, Germany finished in first with eight faults, USA was in second with 16 faults, France was third with 18 faults followed by The Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Austria and Great Britain.

This same squad finished third behind The Netherlands and Italy in the Nations' Cup at Linz, Austria with Austria in fourth place. In August, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin of Glendale, CA joined Salick, Talbert and Sweely to finish sixth in the Nations' Cup at Gijon, Spain. Carvin won two classes at Gijon and Prague on Sam Malone, owned by Debbie Burrows. Talbert led the squad at Linz with a second place in the Grand Prix on Bayside Farm's Grand Jete.

According to Beard, "This year's squad gained invaluable experience against the world's toughest competition, proved they are capable of winning,and returned home with a new sense of confidence and pride!"

The Show Jumping Developing Rider program was created in 1996 to provide athletes who have not yet reached the Olympic or World Championship level with experience in European international competitions. According to George Morris, "Competing in Europe gives our developing riders their college education- there's absolutely no substitute for what they gain from the experience. This program will bring medals in the future."

Because no government funds are available, USET programs are dependent upon voluntary contributions. On-going educational opportunities are provided throughout the year with the program's bi-coastal Developing Rider Training Sessions. While riders are selected to participate by invitation, anyone interested in auditing may do so free of charge and experience the best equestrian instruction available in the United States.

The USET is the non-profit organization that officially represents the United States in international competition, and carries the responsibility for selecting, training, equipping and financing equestrian teams of the highest possible standard to compete for the U.S. in Pan American and Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major international events.

For additional information on the USET Developing Rider Programs in the international disciplines of Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Show Jumping and the USET's Cosequin/Reining program please contact the USET at (908) 234-1251.