Gladstone, NJ—September 8, 2003—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) will offer free admission to the 2003 BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East, October 4-5, at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ.

The nation’s top equitation riders under the age of 21, who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes throughout the qualifying year, will gather in Gladstone to compete in one of the nation’s most prestigious equitation finals.

The BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final 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. In Phase Four, only the top four riders return to begin a ride-off phase. 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 classes held at horse shows throughout the United States. In 1982, the program incorporated year-end Finals as a further goal.

This year, East Coast riders will vie for top honors in the BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Final October 4-5. West Coast riders compete for the Championship in the West Coast Final, September 19-20 in Burbank, CA.

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.