USET ESTABLISHES SHOW JUMPING DEVELOPING RIDER TALENT SCOUT PROGRAM TO IDENTIFY PROMISING RIDERS
Gladstone, New Jersey –March 7, 2001–The United States Equestrian Team (USET) has established a new Show Jumping Talent Scout program that will enhance the USET’s ability to identify promising Show Jumping riders for participation in USET programs, such as Show Jumping Developing Rider Training Sessions, as well as to choose the recipients of the Maxine Beard Award. The program will utilize Talent Scouts from diverse geographical areas to ensure a larger spectrum of talent throughout the country.
Selected as Talent Scouts for this year for the Midwest region are Diane Carney of Illinois and Donald Cheska of Wisconsin; the East region Talent Scouts are Missy Clark of New York and Leslie Howard of Connecticut; and the West region Talent Scouts are Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Karen Healey of California.
Sally Ike, Director of USET Show Jumping Activities commented, “I believe the Talent Scout program will help the USET judiciously identify talented riders throughout the nation. We wanted to continue to develop this valuable program, as it has continually proven its value in educating our U.S. riders. Just this past year four of the twelve riders who qualified to compete in the final phase of our Show Jumping Olympic Selection trials in California were past recipients of USET Show Jumping Developing Rider grants—Elise Haas, Alison Firestone, Todd Minikus and Francie Steinwedell Carvin, with Minikus qualifying as the first Alternate to the Olympic Team.”
The USET Show Jumping Developing Rider program was created in 1995 to provide riders who have not yet reached the Olympic or World Championship level with exposure to the highest level of European international competition as well as other developmental and educational opportunities such as training sessions.
A Show Jumping Developing Rider is defined as a US citizen who has not represented the United States in Olympic, Pan American or World Championship competition, or in more than five Nations Cup either in Europe or Spruce Meadows. Alternates for the Olympic, Pan American and World Equestrian Games, as well are riders who have competed in the Show Jumping World Cup Final, are still considered Show Jumping Developing Riders.
The Maxine Beard Award is given to two Show Jumping Developing Riders based on their potential to represent the U.S. in international competition, as well as their financial need. The award is given to allow these riders to observe European and international competition for educational purposes.
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.
