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USET Holds
Successful Dinner In Support Of Show Jumping Developing Rider
Program
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Gladstone, New Jersey
—March 7, 2002—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) held
a highly-successful dinner in support of the USET Show Jumping Developing
Rider program on Wednesday evening, March 6 at the Equestrian Club in
Wellington, FL.
(l-r) Schuyler Riley, Ronny Beard, Danni Magill, Susan Lloyd and Mason
Phelps at USET Show Jumping Developing Rider Dinner in Wellington
photo courtesy of
Linda Wirtz
The dinner, coordinated
by Mason Phelps and USET Show Jumping Developing Rider program chairman
Ronnie Beard, introduced about 100 people to the Developing Rider program
and its importance to expanding this country’s base of show jumping
talent.
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 Developing
Rider program is the key to our future,” USET Vice President for
Show Jumping George H. Morris told those in attendance. “Exposure
to team competition in Europe, a key element of this program, gives riders
their ‘college education’ on what it is like to represent your
country in international competition. The success of the program over
the last seven years has been outstanding and it is essential that more
of our developing riders get the opportunity to have this invaluable experience.”
Veterans of the USET
Developing Rider program in attendance included Grand Prix riders Schuyler
Riley, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Candice King. All have achieved
great success since going on a USET Developing Rider tour and all credit
the experience for helping reach their current level of success.
Riley explained how
her experience on a USET Developing Rider European tour impacted her career.
“When I first went to Europe on a Developing Rider tour I was overwhelmed
by what I saw,” she said. “The whole experience of competing
under FEI rules, on a team situation and in a foreign setting was new
to me and going through it really helped me. We were fortunate to have
Francie Steinwedell with us and the chance to learn from someone who had
been through this type of thing before really made a difference.”
Riley achieved immediate
success upon returning from her first Developing Rider tour, winning the
Grand Prix de Penn National at Harrisburg. The next year, after her second
tour, she placed first and second at the American Gold Cup, further underscoring
the value of her experience in Europe.
USET Chief Development
Officer Gary Jaworski thanked all who attended while explaining that funding
support is needed in order for the USET to maintain this worthwhile program.
He thanked past supporters of the program like Danni Magill and Susan
Lloyd, both of whom were in attendance, and explained that contributions
in support of the program go entirely to covering riders’ expenses
with supplemental reimbursements available to riders on a basis of financial
need.
“This was a great
evening that introduced the Show Jumping Developing Rider program to people
who care about our country maintaining our show jumping success,”
Jaworski said. “I believe this group of supporters will provide the
finances we need to keep this program going.”
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 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
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