Robert C. Standish Resigns As USET Executive Director

Gladstone, NJ—February 6, 2002—Robert C. Standish has announced his resignation as Executive Director of the United States Equestrian Team (USET). Standish, who has held the position since April 1989, announced that his resignation is effective immediately.

“Working with the USET has been the highlight of my professional career,” he said. “I have enjoyed my interaction with the many wonderful people with whom I have worked and I have always been extremely proud to be associated with the USET. However, as the Team’s consolidation with USA Equestrian moves forward, I feel that the time is right for me to step aside and pursue some of my other goals such as spending more time with my family and various business and professional opportunities.”

As USET Executive Director, Standish had overall responsibility for the Team’s day-to-day activities including the administration of the Gladstone headquarters. He also played an active role in the Team’s fundraising and sponsorship efforts that included the creation of the USET’s highly successful Festival of Champions. Since its start in 1991, the Festival has become one of the nation’s most important multi-discipline equestrian events and has generated millions of dollars of sponsorship support. Under Standish’s leadership, the USET also added two new competition disciplines, Endurance and Reining, the Team’s first Western riding discipline.

“I am proud of all that we have accomplished during my years with the USET,” said Standish who will remain available to the USET as counsel. “We never wavered from our commitment to maintaining the highest possible standard in representing our country and in serving the interests of all Americans involved in equestrian sports. Wherever I go from this point on, I will remain devoted to the ideals of the USET.”

USET President Dr. Armand Leone, Jr., thanked Standish for his years of service and announced that the Team’s two current Assistant Executive Directors—Bonnie B. Jenkins and James R. Wolf—will assume Standish’s duties. “Bob Standish has meant a lot to the USET and he deserves much credit for his many contributions,” Leone said. “Rather than replace him, we are going to rely on the leadership of two outstanding individuals we currently have in place. Given the impending consolidation with USA Equestrian and the difficult financial situation currently facing the USET, we believe this to be the prudent course of action.”
Jenkins, who served as Executive Director of the American Horse Shows Association from 1992-1995, now becomes the Team’s Acting Executive Director with responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Team. Wolf, who has been with the USET since 1993, becomes the Team’s Director of Games Preparation, Athlete Programs & Logistics, and Eventing Activities. Gary Jaworski, currently the USET’s Chief Development Officer, will be responsible for Corporate Sponsor Relations.

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