Gladstone, New Jersey—October 29, 2001—United States Equestrian Team (USET) riders Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI; Margie Goldstein-Engle of West Palm Beach, FL; Beezie Patton Madden of Cazenovia, NY; and McLain Ward of Brewster, NY excelled at CSIO Washington, October 23 –28, winning three classes and finishing second to the Irish team in the Samsung Nations Cup. Kraut started off by winning the $25,000 President’s Cup Qualifier on board Anthem, owned by Summit Syndicates, beating an international field of 32 competitors.

Ward, riding his horse Aachat 6, won the $25,000 Cosequin Puissance on Saturday evening, clearing a wall of 7’1”. However, Ward was unsuccessful in his bid to break the puissance record of 7’71/2” set by Anthony D’ Ambrosio in 1983. Ward and his 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood edged ahead of a field of eight horses and riders competing from Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and the USA in four attempts at the Cosequin Puissance wall. The Cosequin Puissance wall began at a height of 5’10” and ended with Ward’s sole successful winning jump of 7’1”.

Kraut and Madden won the $12,000 International-Open Jumper Fancy Dress Rotating Pair Relay. Kraut and Madden, dressed as the native American and cowboy from the Village People, finished with 4 faults and a time of 52.34 for a total of 56.34.

In the Samsung Nations Cup, the USET squad of riders finished second behind Ireland who finished with 4 faults, while the U.S. team had 8 faults. Third place went to Mexico with 22 faults. Engle rode Hidden Creek’s Jones, owned by Hidden Creek Farm; Kraut rode Anthem, owned by Summit Syndicates; Madden rode Judgement, owned by Iron Spring Farm; and Ward rode Rio, owned by Ward and Harry R. Gill. Frank Chapot served at Chef d’Equipe.

Another veteran USET rider, Aaron Vale of Camden, SC, won the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. Vale, who recently rode on 2001 USET European tour that won seven classes at CSIO Drammen, Norway, including the Samsung Nations' Cup, was clear with Nonix Le Parc, owned by Millstream, and had the fastest time of 31.420 seconds. Canadian rider, Jill Henselwood, riding Toys R Us, was second with a clear round and a time of 32.620 seconds in the jump-off. Third place went to Lynne Little of Frederick, MD riding Comtessa X, owned by Raylyn Farms and Mitchell Sayare, with a time of 34.510 seconds. Kraut and veteran USET rider Leslie Howard of Westport, CT tied for the International Open Jumper Leading Rider award and the International Open Jumper Team award was given 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.