Gladstone, NJ—October 7, 2002—Kristy McCormack, 18, of Cape May Courthouse, NJ, took top honors in the 2002 BET/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East, held at the USET Headquarters and Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ, October 5-6.

Amy Lowrey of Armonk, NY, 20, finished second in her first Talent Search Final and Courtney McKay, 17 of Ocala, FL was third. Krista Freundlich, 17, of Locust, NJ, rounded out the top four.

The third time was the charm for McCormack, trained by Frank Madden of Colts Neck, NJ, who placed eleventh in 2001 and seventh three years ago. McCormack could not believe her good fortune.

“It’s really exciting,” said McCormack, who last month won the $25,000 Calvin Klein Show Jumping Talent Derby at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. “I can’t believe I won, especially here in Gladstone, it’s such a special place.”

The BET/USET Talent Search Finals on the East and West coasts are open to equitation riders under the age of 21, who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes held throughout the year.

The BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final, one of the nation’s most prestigious equitation competitions, consists of four competition phases designed to provide competitors with a challenging and rigorous final and help the USET identify future international competitors. In the flat phase, riders perform specific tests of their riding skills without jumps; in the gymnastic phase, riders jump combinations of obstacles. During the jumping phase, competitors negotiate a grand prix style jumping course of fences. Only the top four riders return to begin the fourth phase, a ride-off. During this final phase, riders compete with their own horse over a course of jumps, and then ride each of the other entries’ horses over the same course.

Started in 1965 as the USET Medal program, the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search encourages Young Rider development and awards USET Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals to competitors who have won BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes held at horse shows throughout the United States. In 1982, the program incorporated year-end Finals as a further goal.

BET initiated its USET sponsorship program in 1997. Black Entertainment Television and BET On Jazz support the Team’s show jumping program as title sponsor of the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search and as presenting sponsor of the USET Show Jumping Talent Derby held each year at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions.

Results – 2002 BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East

Place/ Rider/ Hometown

1. Kristy McCormack, Cape May Courthouse, NJ
2. Amy Lowrey, Armonk, NY
3. Courtney McKay, Ocala, FL
4. Krista Freundlich, Locust, NJ
5. Cody Parker, North Salem, NY
6. Addison Phillips, New York, NY
7. Maggie Jayne, Elgin, FL
8. Aimee Aron, Keswick, VA
9. Jaime Andrews, Woody Creek, CO
10. Caitlyn Shiels, Sheffield, MA

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.