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Lavell
Takes Lead in Cosequin Pan American Games Dressage Selection
Trials at Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by
State Line Tack
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Gladstone, NJ—June 21, 2003— After fishing first in
the USET Intermediaire I, the second round of the 2003 Cosequin
Pan American Games Dressage Selection Trials, 1992 Olympic Team
Bronze Medalist Carol Lavell of Loxahatchee, FL, and Much Ado
have taken the lead in the standings at the Bayer/USET Festival
of Champions Presented by State Line Tack in Gladsone, NJ.
The
pair went to the top of the field of 13 horse-and-rider combinations
after posting a score of 71.150% in the class. Lavell earned the
win despite a tack failure while on course. Although she was happy
with her performance, she noted, “I looked a little weird
in the change because my stirrup leather was getting longer and
longer.”
Kristina Harrison-Naness of Burbank, CA, who won the first class
of the Cosequin Selection Trials, the FEI Prix St. Georges held
on Friday, June 19, stands in second place after finishing second
in the USET Intermediaire I, aboard Kantor. The first pair to
enter the ring, they posted a score of 69.500% to finish behind
Lavell. New to the tour, Harrison-Naness is thrilled with her
performance so far in Gladstone. “I’ve never had a top
horse before. I’m working hard at it. I’ve been very
dedicated to it, and I’m really excited,” she said as
a smile lit up her face.
Jan Ebeling of Moorpark, CA, sits in the third and fourth place
positions with his two mounts, Feleciano and Liberte. Aboard Feleciano,
Ebeling posted a score of 68.850% to take the third position,
while Liberte finished close behind with a score of 68.800%. Pleased
with the performances of both his horses, Ebeling said, “I’m
really happy with both of them. They are so different. Feleciano
is like a cat; you just sit on him and look nice. Liberte is a
big, powerful mover, he’s just different.”
After the third and final phase of the Cosequin Selection Trials,
the USET Intermediaire Freestyle, on Sunday, June 22, the United
States Equestrian Team will name the four-rider dressage team
who will represent the United States at the Pan American Games
in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic in August.
On
Sunday, after the conclusion of the National Disability Sports
Alliance (NDSA) Championship for Riders with Disabilities, which
is serving as the Selection Trials for the World Championships,
the United States Equestrian Team along with the National Disability
Sports Alliance (NDSA) will name the team, who will compete at
the World Championships for Riders with Disabilities to be held
in Belgium in September.
This
year’s Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented by State
Line Tack also features the $50,000 Rolex/USET Show Jumping Championship,
a member event of the American Grandprix Association (AGA), and
the USET Junior and Amateur-Owner Talent Derbies, both presented
by BET on Jazz and both part of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame
Jumper Classic Series.
The
Festival is also hosting the USET Endurance 75-Mile Championship,
a Fédération Equestre Internationale (International
Equestrian Federation – FEI) sanctioned CEI** ride. The ride
will take place in and around the USET grounds on Saturday.
The
Bayer Reining Division features the $50,000 USET Reining Championship,
the USET Futures Championship, presented by Intervet, and the
Reining Young Rider Medal Final.
Along with top-level equestrian competition, spectators are also
able to enjoy a day of family fun and entertainment. A wide range
of gourmet dining options as well as a country fair featuring
the New Jersey Equine Expo hosted by the New Jersey Department
of Agriculture complement the equestrian activities taking place
in three rings. The fair features equine demonstrations, falconry
and blacksmith demonstrations, the Jersey Fresh Horse Expo, as
well as vendors offering top-quality jewelry, souvenirs, and products
for the home as well as the stable.
General Festival admission will be ten dollars for adults and
five dollars for children under the age of twelve. Children under
the age of six will again be admitted free of charge.
Full results of the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions Presented
by State Line Tack are available on the USET website at www.uset.org.
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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