FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
BAYER/USET
FESTIVAL OF CHAMPIONS EXPANDS TO INCLUDE TWO WEEKENDS
Gladstone, New Jersey – January 19, 2001 – 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 22-24, 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 22-24).
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 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 Pair 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/US Show Jumping Championship, presented by
the AHSA and USET. The Festival
will also host the USET Junior and Amateur/Owner Show Jumping Talent Derbies
both presented by BET on Jazz.
Dressage competition will include the Intermediaire I and
Grand Prix Championships, the Young Rider Team, Individual and Prix St. George
Freestyle classes. In 2001, the
USET will host the 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 year’s Reining Division will again include the
$100,000 Cosequin/USET Reining Championship presented by Bayer, 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.
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.