Gladstone, NJ-May 17, 2003-The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has nominated Margie Goldstein Engle, Chris Kappler, Lauren Hough and Laura Kraut, plus Beezie Madden as alternate, for the show jumping team that will represent the United States in the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, August 2-17.

The choices were made following the completion of selection trials in Lexington, KY, May 10-17. Executive Committee sub-committees of the USET and USA Equestrian approved the choices that will now be submitted to the U.S. Olympic Committee for final approval and selection to the U.S. Pan Am team.

Engle, of Wellington, FL, was chosen on Hidden Creek's Perin, owned by Hidden Creek Farm. Hough, also of Wellington, was chosen on Windy City, owned by Peppercorn Ltd. Kappler, of Pittstown, NJ, was chosen on Royal Kaliber, owned by Kappler and Kathy Kamine. Kraut, of Oconomowoc, WI, was chosen on Anthem, owned by The Summit Syndicate. Madden, of Cazenovia, NY, was chosen as alternate on Conquest II, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Patton.

Six rounds of trials were held over four days. Engle, Kraut and Madden placed one-two-three in the trials. 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, also allowed "Selectors to nominate one or two horse-and-rider combinations to the team before the conclusion of the trials." The Selectors chose to do so and nominated first Kappler, then Hough, to the team.

Final results and standings of the selection trials are available 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, 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.