Gladstone, NJ—June 4, 2001—Olympic medalist Guenter Seidel and Pan American medalist Leslie Webb head the list of dressage riders who have qualified to compete in the USET Intermediaire I Championship during the first weekend (June 15-17) of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, presented by State Line Tack.

The following riders have qualified by earning the highest scores in a series of qualifiers held throughout the year. The riders (listed in the order of their ranking) are:

In addition to the USET Intermediaire I Championship, Dressage competition at the Festival will include the USET Grand Prix Championship, the Young Rider Team, and the Cosequin/AHSA Junior Dressage Team Championships.

The Festival will once again showcase the nation’s highest level of equestrian competition in five disciplines – dressage and combined driving, which are scheduled for the first weekend (June 15-17), and show jumping, endurance and reining, which are scheduled for the second weekend (June 21-24).

Along with world-class competition in the Singles and Four-In-Hand divisions, the Festival Driving Division sponsored by the Gladstone Equestrian Association (GEA) will feature the final Selection Trial for the 2001 Pairs Driving World Championship which will be held in Riesenbeck, Germany, August 16-19. The country’s best Pairs drivers will vie for the opportunity to represent the United States in this World Championship.

The Show Jumping competition will highlight the amazing height and speed of this exciting discipline during the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship. The Festival will also host the USET Junior and Amateur/Owner Show Jumping Talent Derbies both presented by BET on Jazz as well as the Merrill Lynch Futures Division.

Top endurance riders are expected to compete during the Sooner/USET Endurance 50 mile and 80 mile Championship rides which are sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference and the East Coast Trial Riders Association. This marks the first time that an 80 mile ride will be hosted by the Festival.

This year’s Reining Division will again feature the $100,000 Cosequin/USET Reining Championship presented by Bayer. Reiners have competed throughout the year in a series of qualifiers sponsored by Intervet for the opportunity to compete in this Championship competition. Additionally, the Reining Division will also include the highly popular Invitational Freestyle class and Nations Cup competition along with the addition of the Sooner/USET Futures Championship, Developing Riders classes and Young Rider Medal Final.

Every year, the Festival offers a wide variety of family entertainment for equestrian enthusiasts with various competitions in Reining, Dressage, Combined Driving, Show Jumping, and Endurance and although the Festival is geared toward equestrian competition, it is the goal of the USET to provide families the opportunity to enjoy equestrian sports along with a more traditional country fair and “Children’s Corral.” The fair includes over 70 vendors offering a large selection of crafts, clothing, jewelry, gifts and the latest in equestrian supplies for every age and interest.

Admission is $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for children who are 6 – 12 years of age with children under 6 attending free of charge. Parking is $5.00. Also available for purchase are reserved tables in the Reining, Pine Meadow and Dressage Clubs. Reserved table costs are $2000.00 for 8 people, $1000.00 for 4 people and $500.00 for two chairs.

If you want to see impressive equestrian competition in a beautiful country atmosphere, coupled with a weekend of family fun, then the place to venture to is Bayer/USET Festival of Champions in June. To learn more about this spectacular event call the Festival Hotline at (908) 234-0555 or visit the USET on line at www.uset.org.