Gladstone, NJ-June 4, 2003-The United States Equestrian Team (USET) is proud to announce a Vaulting High Performance Plan that will provide Gold and Silver Medal vaulting athletes with the opportunity to participate in a series of vaulting training camps and to receive financial grants. The Vaulting High Performance Program also calls for the issuing of grants to support vaulting competitions.

The first training camp will be held at John R. Keily Equestrian Center in Woodside, CA, from July 3-6. The training camps, open only to Gold and Silver Medal vaulters, will maximize performance through specific instruction on vaulting technique. These training sessions will also include instruction by such leaders of the sport as Jeff Moore, Adrienne Stang, and others on dance, nutrition, sports psychology, injury prevention, biomechanics, and strength and stretch issues.

The training camps are only one component of the High Performance Program, which also includes Competition and Training grants that will be available to athletes competing in USA Equestrian (USAE) and International Equestrian Federation (FEI) competitions in the United States. The grants will provide financial assistance to those vaulting athletes who have demonstrated the potential and/or ability to represent the United States in international competition. These Athlete Grants will be a maximum of $500 per vaulter and will be distributed upon receipt of documented expenses associated with participation in the approved competition.

The USET will also issue European Competition Grants to be distributed to vaulters and/or a chef d'equipe representing the United States at CVIs in Europe. These grants are a maximum of $1,000. Applications for grants for both U.S. and European competitions must be submitted by June 30, 2003.

While athletes and coaches will benefit from grants and training camps, the Vaulting High Performance Committee is also distributing grants to support vaulting competitions. The purpose of these grants is two-fold-to promote USA Equestrian and FEI competitions, and to provide financial assistance to managers of vaulting competitions, thus ensuring an outstanding event. There is a maximum grant of $500.00 for an event, and event managers must submit applications by June 30, 2003.

Through the combined efforts of the 2003 Training Grants and the 2003 Training Programs, as well as the Competition Grants, the USA's best vaulters will become better prepared to represent the Unites States at international vaulting competitions. "We are proud to have such talented athletes representing the USET in the Vaulting competitions on a National, as well as International level. We look forward to sharing their success and will support them at each and every event," said Sally Ike, USET Director of Vaulting Activities.

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.