Gladstone, New Jersey-August 28, 2001- Heather Bergantz, of San Jose, CA has been named United States Equestrian Team (USET) Athlete of the Month for August. Bergantz won the individual Gold Medal at the 100-mile Pan American Endurance Riding Championship in South Woodstock, VT, on August 25, aboard Skip Lightfoot's Crystals Charm by a twenty-one minute margin in a ride time of 10 hours 39 minutes and 42 seconds.

The story of Bergantz and Crystals Charm reads like a fairy tale. The 9-year-old Arab gelding also known as "Big Red" was rescued from the slaughterhouse and purchased by Lightfoot for $600 over three years ago. After realizing Red's potential, Lightfoot called on Bergantz to take over training. Since then the pair has been making a name for themselves on the Endurance circuit winning the Haggin Cup in 1999 and now the Pan American Championship. Bergantz feels they have much more to do.

"Red has really come into his own this year", said Bergantz. "As long as he is sound next year he is going to the World Championships. Next year he will be really tough, he's not at the top of his game yet."

The Green Mountain Horse Center hosted the Championship that included 88 riders from nine nations - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Romania and Venezuela in addition to the United States.

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.