(Lexington, KY) – As part of the long-term high performance strategy to develop the best possible United States’ Equestrian Teams for the future, the USEF announced today a 2007 Show Jumping Developing Young Rider Tour. The goal is to send three riders between the ages of 18 and 25, and two senior riders to the CS13* Pforzheim, Germany June 1-3; CSIO4* Hamina, Finland June 15-17; and CSIO4* in Drammen, Norway June 21-24.

Applications are now being accepted and must be submitted to the USEF office in Gladstone, New Jersey by April 20, 2007. Selection of the riders will be based on the rider’s ranking on the April 27th, 2007 USEF Computer List provided their first ranked horse is available for the tour.

“A major commitment has been made by the USEF and the USET Foundation to be forward thinking and create new high performance developing rider and horse programs, said John Long, Chief Executive Officer of the USEF. “This is essential to maintaining our position as a major medal contender in future Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, the Samsung Super League, and all international competitions.”

The funding for this tour is outside of the 2007 Show Jumping High Performance budget. The additional funding is being raised by the USET Foundation as part of its “Campaign to Achieve Competitive Excellence.” Funds available by April 27th, 2007 will be spent on the tour.

“The USET Foundation is excited and committed to working with the Federation in making sure we have the funding in place to provide the international competition opportunities for this country's talented group of athletes which is essential if we are to maintain the tradition of excellence and be the best in the world." said Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director.

The application for tour, which must be submitted by April 20th, 2007, can be found on the USEF website at www.usef.org under High Performance-Show Jumping-2007 Developing/Young Rider Tour. Or, for more information contact Mrs. Sally Ike at (908) 326-1156 ([email protected]).

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~~~For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at (859) 225-6941, or via e-mail at [email protected].