Lexington, Ky. - The application deadline for the 2016 U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team Selection Trials is September 1. The Trials will be held at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo., December 4-5, 2015. A riders' meeting/draw will be held the evening of Friday, December 4, and the Selection Trials will take place on Saturday, December 5, with team member announcements that evening.

Online applications must be submitted through the My USEF Account for members on usef.org by clicking on the heading for Event Applications and then Saddle Seat World Cup Application. Selection information and other details may also be found at www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org. Applications must be submitted by September 1, 2015.

The World Cup is a bi-annual competition that originated in the early 1980s with an informal exchange of saddle seat riders in the United States and South Africa, and was named the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup in 1992. Originally a three-gaited saddle seat equitation showcase, it has expanded to include a five-gaited component as well. Teams from as many as five nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles. The 2016 Saddle Seat World Cup Competition is scheduled to take place in South Africa.

The 2016 World Cup Team efforts are proudly supported by United Professional Horseman's Association (UPHA) and the USA Equestrian Trust. To learn more about contributing to and supporting the 2016 Team efforts, contact Lori Nelson, USEF Assistant Executive Director, National Affiliates, at [email protected].