Gladstone, New Jersey -September 1, 2000- The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced a Young Rider Reining Medal class as part of the 2001 USET programs. In addition to identifying future international riders, the class promotes valuable horsemanship experience and tests the riding abilities of each athlete. The Young Rider Reining Medal class is one of many programs that the USET has developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence.

A USET Young Rider Reining Medal class is open to members of the USET - ages 16-21 as defined by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). The class will be conducted and judged in accordance with AHSA/NRHA Reining Rules and Guidelines, with the exception that riders need not own their horses and a rider may compete with a stallion. This class may be held at any show that is a member of the AHSA, AQHA, NRHA, AMHA, APHA, APHC, IBHA, or PHBA (ie National Breed Association). Competitions planning to hold a USET Young Rider Reining Medal Class must apply to the USET for permission and application to hold the class.

The USET will hold a Young Rider Reining Medal Final during the 2001 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions. The top twenty riders, plus any ties for 20th, qualify for the Finals based on accumulated points from qualifying classes held throughout the year. The qualifying period for the 2001 Finals is January 1 - May 20, 2001 (a qualification period for 2002 final will be May 21, 2001-May 20, 2002). Points will be awarded in qualifying classes as follows: 30 points for first place, 15 points for second place, 10 points for third place and 5 points for fourth place.

Additionally, competitors in these classes may win medals by accumulating points throughout the year. Competitors who win fifteen classes will receive a USET gold medal, while competitors who win ten classes will receive a silver and winners of five classes will receive a bronze.

Since its acceptance of Reining as the Team's sixth discipline in 1998, the USET has worked to promote Reining with the first Cosequin/USET Open Reining Championship classes premiering at the 1999 Bayer/USET Festival of Champions. Carla Wennberg, Director of Reining Activities for the USET, stated, "Reining is one of the most popular western equestrian sports and the USET has made a commitment to continue to expand its Reining programs.

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.