USET Gladstone festival, Endurance event

["Steph Teeter" <steph@endurance.net>]

Of note: - the Endurance competition will include an 80 mile division this
year.

Steph

==========
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:		Marty Bauman, (508) 698-6810,uset.pr@verizon.net
			Joanna Smith, (908) 234-1251,jsmith@uset.org

BAYER/USET FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS EXPANDS TO INCLUDE TWO WEEKENDS

The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has expanded the schedule of the
Bayer/USET Festival of Champions which will be presented this year by State
Line Tack, to now take place over two weekends, June 15-17 and June 21-24,
2001.

This year marks the 11th year of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions and it
will once again showcase the nation’s highest level of equestrian
competition in five disciplines – dressage and combined driving, which are
scheduled for the first weekend (June 15-17), and show jumping, endurance
and reining, which are scheduled for the second weekend (June 21-24).

Mr. Robert C. Standish, USET Executive Director commented on the Festival’s
new schedule, “ It became apparent to the USET that as the Festival has
grown in popularity, with both competitors and spectators alike, that it has
become necessary to add another weekend to the schedule to better serve
everyone.”

Along with world-class competition in the Singles and Four-In-Hand
divisions, the Festival Driving Division sponsored by the Gladstone
Equestrian Association (GEA) will feature the final Selection Trial for the
2001 Pairs Driving World Championship which will be held in Riesenbeck,
Germany, August 16-19.  The country’s best Pairs drivers will vie for the
opportunity to represent the United States in this World Championship.

In addition to the selection trials for international competition, the
Festival boasts the nation’s elite riders, drivers and horses competing for
USET Championship titles.  Spectators will witness the amazing height and
speed of equestrian show jumping during the $100,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping
Championship.  The Festival will also host the USET Junior and Amateur/Owner
Show Jumping Talent Derbies both presented by BET on Jazz as well as the
Merrill Lynch Futures Divison.

Dressage competition will include the USET Intermediaire I and Grand Prix
Championships, the Young Rider Team, Individual and Prix St. Georges
Freestyle classes.  In 2001, the USET will host the Cosequin/AHSA Junior
Dressage Team Championships.

Top endurance riders are expected to compete during the USET Endurance 50
mile and 80 mile Championship rides which are sanctioned by the American
Endurance Ride Conference and the East Coast Trial Riders Association.  This
marks the first time that an 80 mile ride will be hosted by the Festival.

This year’s Reining Division will again feature the $100,000 Cosequin/USET
Reining Championship presented by Bayer.  Reiners have competed throughout
the year in a series of qualifiers sponsored by Intervet for the opportunity
to compete in this Championship competition.  Additionally, the Division
will include the highly popular Invitational Freestyle class and Nations Cup
Competition as well as the addition of a Futures Championship class and
Young Rider Medal Final.

Every year, the Festival offers a wide variety of family entertainment for
equestrian enthusiasts with various competitions in Reining, Dressage,
Combined Driving, Show Jumping, and Endurance and although the weekends are
geared toward equestrian competition, it is the goal of the USET to provide
a weekend for families to enjoy equestrian sports along with a more
traditional country fair and “Children’s Corral.” The fair includes over 70
vendors offering a large selection of crafts, clothing, jewelry, gifts and
the latest in equestrian supplies for every age and interest.

Admission is $10.00 for adults, $6.00 for children who are 6 – 12 years of
age with children under 6 attending free of charge.  Parking is $5.00.  Also
available for purchase are reserved tables in the Reining, Pine Meadow and
Dressage Clubs.  Reserved table costs are $2000.00 for 8 people, $1000.00
for 4 people and $500.00 for two chairs.

If you want to see impressive equestrian competition in a beautiful country
atmosphere, coupled with a weekend of family fun, then the place to venture
to is Bayer/USET Festival of Champions in June.  To learn more about this
spectacular event call the Festival Hotline at (908) 234-0555 or visit the
USET on line at www.uset.org.