Gladstone, New Jersey 'April 3, 2001' The United States Equestrian Team (USET) is proud to announce that Kent Farrington of Chicago, IL and Richard Rinehart of Westfield, IN have received this year's Maxine Beard Award. This award was established by friends of the popular trainer and Chairman of the USET Show Jumping Developing Rider Committee, Ronnie Beard, in honor of his mother.

Recipients of the award are chosen based on their potential to represent the United States in international competition. In 1998 Farrington won the AHSA Eisers/Pessoa National Hunter Seat Equitation Medal, and continued in 1999 on to win the Washington International Equitation Classic. He is currently employed by Leslie Howard in Westport, CT.

Rinehart was the Mid American Show Jumping Cup leading money winner in 2000. The Mid American Show Jumping Cup is a Grand Prix Show Jumping League that rewards and recognizes riders for their efforts. Events are held throughout the Midwest and Southern United States.

Farrington and Rinehart will attend the FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, April 12-16 as guests of the USET. The Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award is one of many programs that the USET has developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence. Observing European and international competition is a crucial component in the education of an equestrian athlete. Farrington and Rinehart were selected through the newly established Show Jumping Talent Scout program that has enhanced the USET's ability to identify promising Show Jumping riders for participation in USET programs, such as the Maxine Beard Award and Show Jumping Developing Rider Training Sessions. The program utilizes Talent Scouts from diverse geographical areas to ensure a larger spectrum of talent throughout the country. This year's Talent Scouts are: from the Midwest region - Diane Carney of Illinois and Donald Cheska of Wisconsin; East region - Missy Clark of New York and Leslie Howard of Connecticut; and West -Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Karen Healey of California.

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.