Gladstone, NJ—June 21, 2003— After fishing first in the USET Intermediaire I, the second round of the 2003 Cosequin Pan American Games Dressage Selection Trials, 1992 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist Carol Lavell of Loxahatchee, FL, and Much Ado have taken the lead in the standings at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State Line Tack in Gladsone, NJ.

The pair went to the top of the field of 13 horse-and-rider combinations after posting a score of 71.150% in the class. Lavell earned the win despite a tack failure while on course. Although she was happy with her performance, she noted, “I looked a little weird in the change because my stirrup leather was getting longer and longer.”

Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, who won the first class of the Cosequin Selection Trials, the FEI Prix St. Georges held on Friday, June 19, stands in second place after finishing second in the USET Intermediaire I, aboard Kantor. The first pair to enter the ring, they posted a score of 69.500% to finish behind Lavell. New to the tour, Harrison-Naness is thrilled with her performance so far in Gladstone. “I’ve never had a top horse before. I’m working hard at it. I’ve been very dedicated to it, and I’m really excited,” she said as a smile lit up her face.

Jan Ebeling of Moorpark, CA, sits in the third and fourth place positions with his two mounts, Feleciano and Liberte. Aboard Feleciano, Ebeling posted a score of 68.850% to take the third position, while Liberte finished close behind with a score of 68.800%. Pleased with the performances of both his horses, Ebeling said, “I’m really happy with both of them. They are so different. Feleciano is like a cat; you just sit on him and look nice. Liberte is a big, powerful mover, he’s just different.”

After the third and final phase of the Cosequin Selection Trials, the USET Intermediaire Freestyle, on Sunday, June 22, the United States Equestrian Team will name the four-rider dressage team who will represent the United States at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic in August.

On Sunday, after the conclusion of the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) Championship for Riders with Disabilities, which is serving as the Selection Trials for the World Championships, the United States Equestrian Team along with the National Disability Sports Alliance (NDSA) will name the team, who will compete at the World Championships for Riders with Disabilities to be held in Belgium in September.

This year’s Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State Line Tack also features the $50,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship, a member event of the American Grandprix Association (AGA), and the USET Junior and Amateur-Owner Talent Derbies, both presented by BET on Jazz and both part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame Jumper Classic Series.

The Festival is also hosting the USET Endurance 75-Mile Championship, a Federation Equestre Internationale (International Equestrian Federation – FEI) sanctioned CEI** ride. The ride will take place in and around the USET grounds on Saturday.

The Bayer Reining Division features the $50,000 USET Reining Championship, the USET Futures Championship, presented by Intervet, and the Reining Young Rider Medal Final.

Along with top-level equestrian competition, spectators are also able to enjoy a day of family fun and entertainment. A wide range of gourmet dining options as well as a country fair featuring the New Jersey Equine Expo hosted by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture complement the equestrian activities taking place in three rings. The fair features equine demonstrations, falconry and blacksmith demonstrations, the Jersey Fresh Horse Expo, as well as vendors offering top-quality jewelry, souvenirs, and products for the home as well as the stable.

General Festival admission will be ten dollars for adults and five dollars for children under the age of twelve. Children under the age of six will again be admitted free of charge.

Full results of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State Line Tack are available on the USET website 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.