Gladstone, NJ—June 5, 2003— The 2003 Bayer/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Festival of Champions, Presented by State Line Tack, will host the Pan American Games dressage selection trials, June 19-22 at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ.

The USET Intermediaire I Championship at the Festival will serve as the selection trials to choose the rider/horse combinations who will represent the United States in dressage at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, August 7-10.

To qualify for the selection trials, rider/horse combinations had to compete in a series of qualifying events held throughout the country from September, 2002 – June 1, 2003. Rider/horse combinations had to compete in the Prix St. Georges and the Intermediaire I in a minimum of two USET Qualifying Competitions. At least one of those competitions had to be a CDI (Concours Dressage Internationale). In addition, combinations had to complete one Intermediaire I Freestyle at a qualifier.

The following are the top twelve qualified riders (one of whom has qualified with two horses) for the Pan Am Selection Trials:

In addition to the Intermediaire Championship, the Dressage Division at the Festival will also feature the USET Grand Prix Championship, qualifiers for the North American Young Riders’ Championships to be held in August in Bromont, Quebec, and the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Championship for Riders with Disabilities. The NDSA Championship will serve as the final selection trial for the team that will represent the U.S. at the World Championships for Riders with Disabilities to be held in Belgium in September.

Along with dressage competition, the Festival will feature Show Jumping with the $50,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship and the USET Junior and Amateur-Owner Talent Derbies, both presented by BET on Jazz.

The 2003 Festival will also host the USET Endurance 75-Mile Championship, a Fédération Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI)-sanctioned CEI** ride. The ride will take place in and around the USET grounds.

The Bayer Reining Division will feature the USET Futures Championship and the Reining Young Rider Medal Final.

In addition to top-level equestrian competition, spectators will be able to enjoy a day of family fun and entertainment. A wide range of gourmet dining options as well as a country fair will complement the equestrian activities taking place in three rings. The fair will feature equine demonstrations, falconry and blacksmith demonstrations, the Jersey Fresh Horse Expo, as well as vendors offering top-quality jewelry, souvenirs, and products for the home as well as the stable.

General admission will be ten dollars for adults and five dollars for children under the age of twelve. Children under the age of six will again be admitted free of charge. There will be free admission for all spectators on Thursday, June 19.

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.