Gladstone, NJ-July 30, 2001-United States Equestrian Team (USET) veteran Show Jumping rider and 1992 Olympic Individual Bronze Medalist Norman Dello Joio of Wellington, FL won the Refco King George V Gold Cup at The Royal International Horse Show (CSIO-Hickstead) in West Sussex England on July 29. Dello Joio was clear with Glasgow, owned by The Glasgow Group, with the fastest time of 55.53 seconds Dello Joio joins the ranks of past U.S. riders who have won the prestigious title. Previous U.S. winners include two time Olympic team Silver Medalist and USET Chef d'Equipe, Frank Chapot with Main Spring in 1974; Olympic individual Gold Medalist Bill Steinkraus who won the title in 1956 and 1964 on First Boy and Sinjon, respectively; Pan American Games Gold Medalist Hugh Wiley in 1958 and 1959 on Master William and Nautical, respectively; and Fred Bontecou in 1926 on Bally McShane.

Another major victory was scored for the U.S. when Candice King, in her first competition since participating on the 2001 USET Developing Rider European tour, won the Hasseroeder Queen Elizabeth II Cup riding Elu de la Hardiere, owned by Peter Nissen. She is the first U.S. rider to win the title since Mary Chapot in 1968. King was clear with the fastest time of 39.66 seconds to beat an international field of 28 riders.

Sally Ike, USET Director of Show Jumping Activities commented, " These victories of Norman's and Candice's are so significant for them as individual riders and for the United States. Candice was recently a member on the USET European Developing rider tour that won the seven classes at CSIO Drammen in Norway including the Samsung Nations Cup, beating teams from nine other countries. Her win at Hickstead proves the value of the education the riders receive on these tours. The USET designed the tour especially for Show Jumping Developing Riders to provide them with European exposure which is so critical to future successes."

Additionally, the U.S. was fourth in the Samsung Nations Cup of Great Britain at Hickstead. In addition to King and Dello Joio, team riders included Peter Wylde of Dover Plains, NY riding Fein Cera, owned by Fein Cera Group, and Eric Hasbrouck riding Ludwig, owned by Trelawny Farm.

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.