On September 6, 2002, the Ohio University Equestrian Team (OUET), 2002 Miller's Cup Team Champions, lost a barn, an arena, a tack room, a trailer, all of their tack and one horse to a fire that ripped through Stonegate Farm in Belpre, Ohio.

Of the seven horses stabled in Coach Karen Hiehle's barn, all but one survived. One horse has been shipped to Ohio State to receive treatment for severe burns and the other five are being monitored and treated for cuts and burns.

Because the OUET is a Club Sport, they receive no University funding. The OUET is funded solely by its members through fundraising and dues. The Team will receive no University funding to help them rebuild their facility, purchase new tack or replace the lost horse.

The OUET is currently in a financially perilous position. In addition to the loss of the barn and its contents, all supplies for the October 12 & 13 IHSA horse show were destroyed. At this time, any tack, grooming products, first aide supplies or monetary donations would be greatly appreciated.

These may be sent to: The Ohio University Equestrian Team C/O Jessica West 38 North McKinley Avenue, Apt #116 Athens, OH 45701

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Team at 740-589-5855 or via email at JessicaAnnWest@hotmail.com.

For more information, please contact Sarah Holt, Public Relations on (859) 225 6974 or via email at sholt@equestrian.org. USA Equestrian press releases are available on our web site - http://www.equestrian.org/ .

USA Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

VISION STATEMENT
The vision of USA Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.