Gladstone, NJ—May 7, 2001—Two-time Olympic Team Medalist Karen O’Connor of The Plains, VA won the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Three Star Eventing Spring Championship held during the MBNA Foxhall Cup CCI*** Three Day Event in Atlanta, GA, May 3-6.

O’Connor, riding Prince Panache, her 2000 Olympic team horse, owned by Jacqueline Mars, held the lead throughout the competition. O’Connor and Prince Panache completed the dressage phase with a score of 34.6 penalties. She had no jumping penalties in the cross country and stadium jumping phases adding only 5.2 time penalties in cross country and 1.0 time penalties in stadium jumping, for a final score of 40.8.

Kim Vinoski of Scottsville, VA was second with Windsome Adante, owned by Mrs. Linda Wachtmeister, with a final score of 47.6 penalties.

Christy Price of Middleburg, VA won the USET Markham Trophy as the highest placed Young Rider (age 16-21) in the Three Star Championship. Price finished in fifth place with a score of 54.2 penalties.

O’Connor’s win completed an incredible week of victories for the husband-and-wife team of David and Karen O’Connor. One week before finishing fourth at Foxhall on Tigger Too, David O’Connor won the Rolex/USET Four Star Eventing Championship held during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, presented by Bayer where he also was third with Custom Made.

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.