IntNewsGroup: USET Challenges for Official Designation as NGB for Equestrian Sport

["Lori & Rick Stewart" <rk-ld.stewart@usa.net>]

-----Original Message-----
From: asamuelson@rubenstein.com [mailto:asamuelson@rubenstein.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 12:24 PM
To: Alexander Samuelson
Subject: USET Challenges for Official Designation as NGB for Equestrian
Sport



FROM: 	United States Equestrian Team
		Pottersville Road, Gladstone, NJ 07934

Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Contact: Alex Samuelson, 212-843-8286
asamuelson@rubenstein.com

Classic Communications, Inc.
Marty Bauman, 508-698-6810
uset1994@aol.com

USET Challenges for Official Designation as NGB for Equestrian Sport

Viability of Equestrian Athlete Programs at Stake

Gladstone, NJ, February 22, 2001 - Today the United States Equestrian Team
(USET) petitioned the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to challenge
for official designation as national governing body (NGB) for equestrian
sport.

The decision by the American Horse Show Association (AHSA) to strip the USET
of the authority to continue its efforts for international equestrian
athletes upon the expiration of the Operating Agreement (Sunday, February
25) has forced the USET to file this challenge. Failure to do so would cause
a complete collapse of all USET athlete programs. With the World
Championship selection trials beginning in September, the best interests of
the athletes compel the USET to take this action.

According to USET Chairman and President, Finn M.W. Caspersen, "I have
publicly stated that I have always been reluctant to implement this action
to solve the NGB question.  However given the USET Board vote, the recent
circumstances, and after extensive consultation with athletes, trustees, and
legal counsel, it is the only option that will ensure the stability, funding
and infrastructure that is necessary for our athletes and our international
effort now and in the future."

The AHSA submitted a proposal to the USOC's Member and Credentials Committee
stating, "if the USET chooses not to become part of USA Equestrian (AHSA
Merger Proposal), the new NGB, the AHSA is fully prepared, immediately, to
assume all responsibilities for those function currently performed by USET."
The AHSA plans to take over the functions performed by the USET for the past
50 years on February 25, 2001.  The AHSA currently does not have programs,
infrastructure or personnel in place to provide the necessary support
athletes require.

The AHSA is not in compliance with the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur
Sports Act and USOC bylaws.  The AHSA is the currently titled NGB while the
USET is the organization responsible for and practiced in administering the
athlete programs for team selection, training, development and support.

Both organizations will be meeting this Saturday before the USOC Membership
and Credentials Committee on February 24, 2001 in San Antonio, Texas.  The
current operating agreement will expire the next day and the ability to
timely petition the USOC for a change of NGB status will expire in October
2001.

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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