Gladstone, New Jersey-August 1, 2000-Molly Ashe of Wellington, FL onboard Kroon Gravin, owned by Sandra O'Donnell, won the Banco Herrero Grand Prix in Gijon, Spain on July 30th.

Ashe, who is part of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Show Jumping Developing Rider tour, won the class with two clear rounds and the fastest jump off time of 40.37 seconds beating a field of 39 international riders.

Only four of the 39 rode clean in the first round to qualify for the jump-off. Ashe rode last in the jump off and knew the time she had to beat in order to win.

USET Chef d'Equipe Frank Chapot advised that she not go too hard, cautioning her to stay focused during the long gallop to the last fence. Ashe succeeded in going clean and turned in the fastest time to claim the win.

Following the Grand Prix, Ashe was named Leading Grand Prix Rider for the two weeks of competition at Gijon. The first week, she placed second to former World Champion Eric Navet of France.

The Show Jumping Developing Rider tour program is one of many programs that the USET has developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence. A Show Jumping Developing Rider is defined as a US citizen who has not represented the United States in Olympic, Pan American or World Championship competition, or in more than five Nations Cup either in Europe or Spruce Meadows. Alternates for the Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian Games, as well are riders who have competed in the Show Jumping World Cup Final, are still considered Show Jumping Developing Riders.

The riders named to compete in addition to Ashe on the USET Developing Rider tour are; Dick Carvin of Glendale, CA; Misti Cassar of Moorpark, CA; Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Fl; and Marilyn Little of Frederick, MD.

The riders' competition schedule throughout Europe is:

July 14-16 CSI-A San Sebastian, Spain

July 22-24 CSI-A Gijon, Spain

July 26-30 CSIO Gijon, Spain

August 9-13 CSIO-Dublin, Ireland

The USET Show Jumping Developing Rider program was created in 1995 to provide riders who have not yet reached the Olympic or World Championship level with exposure to the highest level of European international competition. The major focus of the program is the awarding of grants, which make it possible for promising riders to compete in Europe.

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.