Gladstone, NJ--October 10, 2000--Sarah Willeman of Hamilton, MA riding her own horse Grappa won the 2000 BET/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Talent Search Final-East held at the USET Headquarters and Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, New Jersey, on October 7-8.

Willeman, who trains with Missy Clark and Michael Keough, commented, " What stood out the most about the weekend was the excellent classes combined with the tests and outstanding courses that were designed to challenge the riders. The classes provided the competitors with the appropriately difficult tests and I enjoyed the format with the combination of the flat and gymnastics, along with the challenges posed by the jumping courses."

The following riders placed in the top ten;

Last month, Anneliese Kannow of La Jolla, CA riding Pre, owned by the Desert Allergy Center, won the 2000 BET/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Talent Search Final-West held at the Los Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, September 21-24th.

The BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search Finals consist of four competition phases designed to provide competitors with a challenging and rigorous final and help the USET identify future international competitors. In the first Flat Phase, riders perform specific tests of their riding skills without jumps; in the second Gymnastic Phase, riders jump combinations of obstacles. During the third 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 the 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.

Finals on the East and West coasts are open to riders 21 years old and younger who have qualified through their placement in regional BET/USET Show Jumping Talent Search classes.

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. The Finals are held on both East Coast and West Coast.

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.