Gladstone, NJ - June 1, 2015 - The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) are pleased to announce the establishment of the 2016 Karen Stives European Developing Tour for Eventing.

In 2014, Karen Stives made generous gift of $1 million to the USET Foundation to establish the Karen Stives Endowment Fund for High Performance Eventing. This fund allows for grants to be awarded annually for an Eventing High Performance activity, which will have a direct impact on the United States' ability to win medals at International Championship CCI competitions. For 2016, the Karen Stives European Developing Tour is that program activity that will provide the international experience necessary for talented developing athletes to step up and be ready to represent this country in international championships, strengthening the pipeline of qualified riders capable of winning medals for the future.

In 2016, selected members of the USEF's Developing Rider Program (Eventing 18 and Eventing 25) will be able to use the Karen Stives European Developing Tour to gain international experience and achieve results at European events, in an effort to develop future team riders in a team environment. The U.S. Under -25 athlete/horse combinations selected will compete at the Rockingham CIC and Bramham International CCI3*-U25 in Great Britain in 2016.

In addition to competing at Rockingham CIC and Brahman CCI3*, riders will have the opportunity to explore other areas that will help further their education and experience as an athlete while in Great Britain.  Applicants will be asked to explain how they think they will benefit from the tour and what other learning experiences (apart from the competitions) they would like included during the tour and how they feel they would benefit from them.

Stives was a championship Eventing rider who was named the USCTA Rider of Year in 1981, 1987 and 1988. In 1982, she represented the United States at the Luhmuhlen World Championships, and in 1984 she anchored the U.S. Eventing Team that won the Team Gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics, while also winning Individual Silver. Stives also earned the Leading Lady Rider title in 1981, the Mercedes-Benz Horsewoman of the Year in 1984, and the prestigious Wofford Cup.  Following her retirement from international competition, Stives became an FEI judge and was the Chairman of the USET Three-Day Event Selectors' Committee for many years.

"Through the generosity and true understanding of Karen in terms of knowing what it takes to win on the world stage, many more developing eventing riders will have the opportunity to compete in Europe among the world's best, honing their skills and gaining valuable experience in the hopes that they too will have the chance to win Olympic Gold," said Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director.

The application and requirements for the 2016 Karen Stives European Developing Tour are available at by clicking here. All applications must be submitted by December 15, 2015.

Please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected] or 859-225-2052 with any questions regarding the Karen Stives European Developing Tour plans for 2016, or click here for more information.