Gladstone, New Jersey – June 25, 2001– A squad of United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping riders won seven classes at CSIO Drammen, Norway, June 21 –24, including the Samsung Nations Cup, beating teams from nine other countries. Riding for the USET at Drammen were four Developing Riders—Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, TX, Kim Frey of Upperville, VA; Candice King of Wellington, FL; and Aaron Vale of Camden, SC—as well as Olympic veteran Nona Garson of Lebanon, NJ. All five are in Europe as part of USET-funded show jumping tour.

The U.S. won the Nations Cup with a total of 4 faults, followed by Italy with 8 faults and Norway with 12. Vale won four classes, including the Grand Prix on Alliance owned by Alison Register, and three classes with Wanderlust owned by Lisa Van Camp. Additionally, King riding Penlyn Farm’s Elu de La Hardiere and Fenney riding Mike McCormick’s Myst each won one class.

The USET designed this tour especially for Show Jumping Developing Riders to provide them with European exposure, and especially the experience of riding on a team, which is so critical to future successes. The shows were chosen carefully to offer competition at a strong, but not elite level, where US Developing Riders could be competitive. It was a conscious decision to include one Senior rider (Garson) as the "anchor" rider for four developing athletes (Fenney, Frey, King, and Vale), and provide them with knowledgeable staff support (George Morris as chef d'quipe), so that the Developing riders could benefit from Garson’s and Morris’ experience.

Each rider received $25,000 in merit based funding, with additional need based funding available, up to a maximum total funding of $35,000.

“European tours are an essential component of the USET rider’s education. The program affords riders the opportunity to gain exposure to international competition and provides the experience necessary tp bring home medals,” said Sally Ike, Director of USET Show Jumping Activities.

The tour continues at CSIO Ikast, Denmark, July 6-8, and CSIO Falsterbo, Sweden, July 9-15 with Frank Chapot taking over the chef d'equipe duties from George Morris at both shows.

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.