Gladstone, New Jersey—October 22, 2002—Two-time World Endurance Champion Valerie Kanavy, who has previously won the USET Endurance 50-Mile and 75-Mile Championships, won the first USET Endurance 100-Mile Championship held October 19 at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Area in Fair Hill, MD.

Kanavy, of Fort Valley, VA, rode Bells Snitzel to a ride time of 11 hours and 29 minutes to top a field of 18 starters. Placing second was USET veteran three-day event rider and combined driver Lana Wright of Warwick, MD, who finished in 12 hours, 6 minutes and 20 seconds on the former Delaware Park racehorse, Nathan’s Pride. Third place went to 2001 Pan American Games team Gold Medalist Meg Sleeper who finished in 12 hours, 6 minutes and 24 seconds on Syrocco Blair.

This marked the first time that a 100-mile endurance ride was held at Fair Hill and the first time that the USET offered a championship at the FEI World Championship distance. Mary Lutz, USET Director of Endurance Activities, feels that this is a good step forward for the sport. “Participation in an FEI-sanctioned, USET Championship at the 100-mile distance will help develop more of our riders for international competition,” she said. “And somehow it is only fitting that our first USET 100 mile champion is Valerie Kanavy who has been our country’s most successful rider.”

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.