Gladstone, NJ—May 17, 2002—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced the 12 dressage riders who have qualified to compete in the selection trials for the USET squad that will compete in the 2002 Dressage World Championships at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September.

The Trials will be held on June 1-2 and June 8-9 at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ. The trials start at 9:00 am each day and the test ride starts at 8:30 am.

Heading the list is Lisa Wilcox, on Relevant, who qualified with an average score of 73.145%. She is followed by Debbie McDonald on Brentina, owned by Peggy Thomas. McDonald and Brentina, who teamed to win two Gold Medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, had an average score of 72.949%. The top 12 qualifying riders, including two riders with two horses, are:

1. Lisa Wilcox
   Thousand Oaks, CA
   Relevant
   Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock
   73.145%
   
2. Debbie McDonald
   Hailey, ID
   Brentina
   Perry & Perry Thomas
   72.949%
   
3. Sue Blinks
   Long Valley, NJ
   Flim Flam
   Fritz Kundrun Dressage Sponsor Corp.
   71.073%
   

   Lisa Wilcox
   Thousand Oaks, CA
   Rhodiamant
   Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock
   70.815%
   

4. Betsy Steiner
   Wellington, FL
   Rainier
   Jane Forbes Clark
   70.524%
   
5. Guenter Seidel
   Del Mar, CA
   Nikolaus 7
   Dick & Jane Brown
   70.147%
   
6. Steffen Peters
   Escondido, CA
   Grandeur
   Lila Kommerstad
   69.308%
   

   Guenter Seidel
   Del Mar, CA
   Foltaire
   Dick & Jane Brown
   69.080%
   

7. George Williams
   Delaware, OH
   Rocher
   Charles & Joann Smith
   67.560%
   
8. Tina Konyot
   Palm City, FL
   Abrikos
   Frank Rugin
   67.065%
   
9. Lynda Alicki
   Wellington, FL
   Impressario
   Lynda Alicki
   66.834%
   
10. . Tom Noone
    North Abington, MA
    Fresco
    Francine Govostes
    66.200%
    
11. Christine Traurig
    Carlsbad, CA
    Etienne
    Kelly Trierweiler
    65.440%
    
12. Shelly Francis
    Woodstock, VT
    Gala
    Henry Smith
    64.786%
    

    
    Alternates:

13. Arlene Full Page
    Claire
    Arlene Page
    64.785%
    
14. Susan Dutta
    Thornwood, NY
    Gum Shoes DC
    Susan & Tim Dutta
    64.585%
    

Wilcox, who currently lives and trains in Germany, has elected not to come to the trials and has chosen to qualify at events in Europe, consistent with the selection procedures. Thus the 13th rider on the list, Arlene Full Page, is eligible to come. If another rider withdraws, the next rider on the list, Susan Dutta, will then be eligible.

Those with two qualified horses (Seidel) may compete on both horses. The Trials will also serve as the 2002 USET Grand Prix Championship.

“Dressage in the United States has come a long way in recent years,” said Maureen Pethick, USET Director of Dressage Activities. “In 1998, the highest average score coming into the Selection Trials was a 67.8% and the twelfth rider had a 63.00%. Those vying for positions on the 2002 WEG Team are making history in that six horses qualified with averages above 70%. This is clear evidence that our program is working and we are showing great improvement in our sport. With three consecutive Olympic Bronze Medals, it is now time to raise the bar and I am confident that the 2002 WEG Team will be one of our strongest ever with a true shot at a Silver Medal!” The competition on June 1 will consist of a Grand Prix to count for 30% of riders’ overall selection trial and Grand Prix Championship scores. On June 2 will be the Grand Prix Special to count for 25%. There will be a second Grand Prix on June 8, again to count for 30%. The final competition, on June 9, will be the Grand Prix Freestyle, which will count for the remaining 15% of riders’ scores.

Following the trials, up to six horse-and-rider combinations will then travel to Europe for further selection trials to determine the final team for the WEG. The final team will consist of four riders and one alternate.

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.