Gladstone, New Jersey -August 30, 2000- The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced the establishment of a Futures Reining program. The program was created to aid the USET in identifying talented riders and providing them with the needed national and international competitive experiences. The Futures Reining program is one of many programs that the USET has developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence.

In April 2000, Reining was adopted by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) at the Annual General Assembly in Germany as a newly-sanctioned international discipline. As FEI recognized Reining competitions begin to be held internationally, it is the focus of the USET Futures Reining program to provide the needed grants and support to its US riders to compete and win medals internationally.

A Futures rider is defined as a current USET member who is ranked #51-200 on the NRHA money list as of January 1, 2001 (1997, 1998, 1999 NRHA category 1 & 2), as well as the 3rd - 10th placing riders in the breed World Championships (AQHA, AMHA, APHA, IAHA, IBHA and PHBA) in 2000. Horses entered in Futures classes must be 5 years of age or older.

Riders meeting the definition of Futures may nominate and ride another horse in the Open Qualifying classes, if otherwise qualified. Rider/horse combinations nominated for the Futures Program may not nominate and cross enter in USET Open Reining Qualifying classes during the same qualifying period/year.

There will be six $2,500 Futures qualifying classes held in 2001. The top 4 horse/rider combinations plus ties at 4th will qualify for the $25,000 USET Futures Reining Final held during the 2001 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions in June. The qualifiers will be held at:

Since its acceptance of Reining as the Team's sixth discipline in 1998, the USET has worked to promote Reining with the first classes premiering at the 1999 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions.

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 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.