Gladstone, NJ-April 30, 2003-Chris Kappler of Pittstown, NJ, and Royal Kaliber have been selected for one of the four positions on the show jumping team that will represent the United States at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic. This marks the first time since 1990 that a place on a U.S. show jumping team competing at a continental or world championship or Olympic Games will be held by someone chosen subjectively.

"This is a historic moment for our sport," said United States Equestrian Team (USET) President Armand Leone Jr. "Subjective selections have worked extremely well in eventing and recent years have seen increasing calls for some subjectivity in our show jumping selection process as well. Last year, we had an option for a subjective choice for our World Equestrian Games jumping team, and although the Selectors chose not to use the option, our Show Jumping Committee felt strongly that this option will help us field stronger teams. Given Royal Kaliber's incredible success over the last two years, it is clearly in our country's best interest to put him on the team."

The Pan American Games selection process, developed initially by the Active Riders Committee and approved by the Executive Committees of both the United States Equestrian Team and USA Equestrian (USAE), allows "Selectors to nominate one or two horse-and-rider combinations to the team before the conclusion of the trials."

The Selectors felt that Royal Kaliber's performance, including wins in both the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational and the American Grandprix Association Championship within an eight-day period earlier this spring, warranted this. They recommended his selection to the Pan American team to the Show Jumping High Performance Committee who then endorsed the selection to the USET and USAE Executive Committees, both of whom supported the recommendations of the Selectors and Show Jumping High Performance Committee and granted approval.

To maintain his place on the team, Kappler and Royal Kaliber will come under the strict control of the United States Equestrian Team Show Jumping Chef d'Equipe. It is planned that they will compete at CHIO Aachen this summer where their performance against many of the world's best horses and riders will be reviewed. Their place on the Pan American team also hinges on Royal Kaliber's continued readiness and soundness based on the opinion of the Chef d'Equipe and the team veterinarian.

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, vaulters 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.