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:

1 – 73.145% Lisa Wilcox, Thousand Oaks, CARelevant, owners, Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock2 – 72.949% Debbie McDonald, Hailey, IDBrentina, owners,, Perry & Perry Thomas3 – 71.073% Sue Blinks, Long Valley, NJFlim Flam, owners, Fritz Kundrun Dressage Sponsor Corp.

3 – 70.815% Lisa Wilcox, Thousand Oaks, CARhodiamant, owners,Gudula Vorwerk & Dr. Claus Crone-Munzebrock4 – 70.524% Betsy Steiner, Wellington, FLRainier, owner, Jane Forbes Clark5 – 70.147% Guenter Seidel, Del Mar, CANikolaus 7, owner, Dick & Jane Brown6 – 69.308% Steffen Peters, Escondido, CAGrandeur, owner, Lila Kommerstad

69.080% Guenter Seidel, Del Mar, CAFoltaire, owner, Dick & Jane Brown7 – 67.560% George Williams, Delaware, OHRocher, owners, Charles & Joann Smith8 – 67.065% Tina Konyot, Palm City, FLAbrikos, Frank Rubin9 – 66.834% Lynda Alicki, Wellington, FLImpressario, owner, Lynda Alicki10 – 66.200% Tom Noone, North Abington, MAFresco, owner, Francine Govostes11- 65.440% Christine Traurig, Carlsbad, CAEtienne, owner, Kelly Trierweiler12 – 64.786% Shelly Francis, Woodstock, VTGala, owner, Henry SmithAlternates:13 – 64.785% Arlene Full Page, Wellington, FloridaClaire, owner, Arlene Page14 – 64.585% Susan Dutta, Thornwood, NYGum Shoes DC, owners, Susan & Tim Dutta

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.