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USET Names Horses and Riders for World Equestrian Games Dressage Selection Trials

Gladstone, NJ—May 17, 2002—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has announced the 12 dressage riders who have qualified to compete in the selection trials for the USET squad that will compete in the 2002 Dressage World Championships at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain in September.

The Trials will be held on June 1-2 and June 8-9 at the USET Olympic Training Center in Gladstone, NJ. The trials start at 9:00 am each day and the test ride starts at 8:30 am.

Heading the list is Lisa Wilcox, on Relevant, who qualified with an average score of 73.145%. She is followed by Debbie McDonald on Brentina, owned by Peggy Thomas. McDonald and Brentina, who teamed to win two Gold Medals at the 1999 Pan American Games, had an average score of 72.949%.

The top 12 qualifying riders, including two riders with two horses, are:

RIDER HOMETOWN HORSE OWNER SCORE
1.Lisa Wilcox Thousand Oaks, CA Relevant Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock 73.145%
2. Debbie McDonald Hailey, ID Brentina Perry & Perry Thomas 72.949%
3. Sue Blinks Long Valley, NJ Flim Flam Fritz Kundrun Dressage Sponsor Corp. 71.073%
Lisa Wilcox Thousand Oaks, CA Rhodiamant Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock 70.815%
4. Betsy Steiner Wellington, FL Rainier Jane Forbes Clark 70.524%
5. Guenter Seidel Del Mar, CA Nikolaus 7 Dick & Jane Brown 70.147%
6. Steffen Peters Escondido, CA Grandeur Lila Kommerstad 69.308%
Guenter Seidel Del Mar, CA Foltaire Dick & Jane Brown 69.080%
7. George Williams Delaware, OH Rocher Charles & Joann Smith 67.560%
8. Tina Konyot Palm City, FL Abrikos Frank Rugin 67.065%
9. Lynda Alicki Wellington, FL Impressario Lynda Alicki 66.834%
10. Tom Noone North Abington, MA Fresco Francine Govostes 66.200%
11. Christine Traurig Carlsbad, CA Etienne Kelly Trierweiler 65.440%
12. Shelly Francis Woodstock, VT Gala Henry Smith 64.786%
Alternates:        
13. Arlene Full Page   Claire Arlene Page 64.785%
14. Susan Dutta Thornwood, NY Gum Shoes DC Susan & Tim Dutta 64.585%

Wilcox, who currently lives and trains in Germany, has elected not to come to the trials and has chosen to qualify at events in Europe, consistent with the selection procedures. Thus the 13th rider on the list, Arlene Full Page, is eligible to come. If another rider withdraws, the next rider on the list, Susan Dutta, will then be eligible.

Those with two qualified horses (Seidel) may compete on both horses. The Trials will also serve as the 2002 USET Grand Prix Championship.

“Dressage in the United States has come a long way in recent years,” said Maureen Pethick, USET Director of Dressage Activities. “In 1998, the highest average score coming into the Selection Trials was a 67.8% and the twelfth rider had a 63.00%. Those vying for positions on the 2002 WEG Team are making history in that six horses qualified with averages above 70%. This is clear evidence that our program is working and we are showing great improvement in our sport. With three consecutive Olympic Bronze Medals, it is now time to raise the bar and I am confident that the 2002 WEG Team will be one of our strongest ever with a true shot at a Silver Medal!”

The competition on June 1 will consist of a Grand Prix to count for 30% of riders’ overall selection trial and Grand Prix Championship scores. On June 2 will be the Grand Prix Special to count for 25%. There will be a second Grand Prix on June 8, again to count for 30%. The final competition, on June 9, will be the Grand Prix Freestyle, which will count for the remaining 15% of riders’ scores.

Following the trials, up to six horse-and-rider combinations will then travel to Europe for further selection trials to determine the final team for the WEG. The final team will consist of four riders and one alternate.

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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