Gladstone, NJ—June 17, 2002—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) is pleased to announce that the 75-Mile USET Endurance Championship ride, to be featured at the 12th annual Bayer/United States Equestrian Team (USET) Festival of Champions, presented by State Line Tack, will also be part of the FEI Emirates World Masters Series. The nation’s best endurance horses and riders are expected to compete in the event to be held on Saturday, June 22 in and around the USET grounds.

The FEI Emirates World Masters, presented by Ambassador Endurance Management in Paris, France, is an exciting new series of rides, which offers a $1,000,000 bonus to the World Endurance Master. The conditions are similar to America’s Thoroughbred Triple Crown in that the rider must win three Master competitions and the Dubai Endurance World Cup in order to be crowned the “Master” and receive the bonus. This is the first year of the series and the response has been overwhelming, especially in the United States. “This is one of the most exciting things to happen to Endurance in a long time,” said Mary Lutz, USET Director of Endurance. “So far the response has been very positive and we look forward to hosting the event.” The finest horses and riders from the U.S. and Canada are expected to compete in the ride, which is also sanctioned by the American Endurance Ride Conference. Those competing include last year’s USET 80-mile Endurance Champion Sue Greenall of West Windsor, VT and the 2001 USET 50-mile Endurance Champion and two-time World Champion Valerie Kanavy of Ft. Valley, VA.

The Bayer/USET Festival of Champions is the only equestrian event in the country to spotlight five equestrian disciplines at the international level. The four day equine extravaganza will be held at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ from June 20 – 23, showcasing many of the nation’s top competitors in show jumping, dressage, combined driving, endurance, and reining. There will also be a demonstration of vaulting, the USET’s newest discipline.

Nowhere else can equine enthusiasts see the nation’s best compete in five disciplines of horse sports at one single event. Impressive equestrian competition, exciting activities and entertainment, and a beautiful country atmosphere all add up to a weekend of family fun at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, presented by State Line Tack. To learn more about this spectacular event please call the Festival Hotline at (908) 234-0555 or visit the USET on line at www.uset.org.

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.