Gladstone, NJ-July 31, 2003- Three-time Olympic medalist Joe Fargis of Southampton, NY was named United States Equestrian Team (USET) Athlete of the Month for July. Fargis received this honor after he rode Edgar to the win in the $175,000 Cargill Grand Prix of the United States, presented by HBO, to conclude the Oaks Blenheim International CSI****.

Fargis topped an international field of 26 horses and riders. Only four entries, all U.S. Equestrian Team veteran riders, qualified for a tiebreaking jump-off by turning in penalty-free rides in each of the first two rounds. Fargis, who won individual and team Gold Medals at the 1984 Olympics and a team Silver in 1988, was then the only rider to go clean in the tie-breaking jump-off.

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.