Gladstone, NJ—March 18, 2004— The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation is proud to announce that Georgina Bloomberg of New York, NY, is this year's winner of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Developing Rider Award. Bloomberg was awarded this honor because of her competitive records to date and her promise for the future.

As recipient of the Maxine Beard Award, Bloomberg will receive a trip to the World Cup Final, which will be held in Milan, Italy, April 21-25. There she will get an insider’s look at a major international show jumping competition including the chance to observe operations in the horse show office, stabling, veterinary inspections and schooling. A highlight of the experience will be the chance to walk each course with the riders while receiving instructional comments from respected coaches such as George H. Morris.

Bloomberg has become a real force on the show jumping circuit. In 2003, she won the individual Gold Medal in show jumping at the North American Young Riders’ Championships in Bromont, Quebec, Canada. In 2002, she came in second in two major events in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida before helping her team win a Gold Medal at the North American Young Riders’ Championships in Wadsworth, IL.

Competing now on the Grand Prix circuit, Bloomberg started the 2004 season with second and fourth place finishes in the $35,000 Jacksonville International Grand Prix at Green Cove Springs, FL.

Bloomberg has been successful and shown great potential since her junior years. In 2000 and 2001, she was both Circuit Champion and Reserve Champion for Large Junior Hunters 16-17 at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Bloomberg was Grand Champion at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in 2001 with as well as being named Best Child Rider there and at the National Horse Show. In 2000, Bloomberg was Best Child Rider and Grand Champion, with Dialog L, at the Devon Horse Show.

The Maxine Beard Award was established by friends of the popular trainer Ronnie Beard in honor of Ronnie’s mother. It was developed to assist riders in their quest for equestrian excellence. Observing international competition is a crucial component in the education of an equestrian athlete.

The recipients of the award are chosen based on their potential to represent the United States in international competition. A Show Jumping Developing Rider is defined as a U.S. citizen who has not represented the United States in Olympic, Pan American or World Championship competition. 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 and are eligible for the award.

The U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing International High Performance horses and athletes in partnership with the US Equestrian Federation.

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