Aiken, SC - The Salute to Driving fundraising event that will be held in Aiken, and Windsor SC, February 19-21, 2011, is quickly approaching. This début event will benefit this country's High Performance Driving programs for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The exciting weekend event will feature a beautiful dinner and auction on Saturday evening, multiple driving clinics with some of the world's top trainers, and a Combined Test Competition for all on Monday. The Salute to Driving event is being held to help raise awareness and educate different audiences about the discipline of driving.

Salute to Driving will kick-off its festivities on Saturday, February 19, 2011, with clinics by Michael Freund and Larry Poulin at Chateau Log and Courage to Lead Farms. Auditing these clinics is free, and Freund will lead the USEF long listed drivers while Poulin teaches the developing drivers. Other special events include a cones clinic by Suzy Stafford, a fun hazards demonstration, harnessing demonstrations, and a carriage exhibit.

Later in the evening, guests are invited to a fundraising dinner and auction at Wendy O'Brien's Trout Walk Farm in Aiken. The affair will get underway at 6:30 p.m. with a catered dinner and full bar. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on fabulous items during the live auction. Highlighted items includetwo lessons with top driver Michael Freund at Little Everglades or Live Oak 2011, two lessons with Chester Weber during Live Oak 2011, a dinner for eight presented by Jack Wetzel at his new log cabin in Aiken, a week long vacation in a large Victorian Home on the beach in Cape May, NJ, a week long vacation in Block Island, RI, during the months of September or October, a print, "Patriots Barn" by Jamie Wyeth, signed and remarked by the artist, and Brunch for four at the Green Boundary Club. Throughout the night there will also be over 20 raffle items available for participants including a photo shoot and dancing lessons.

On Sunday, February 20, the clinics with Freund and Poulin will continue, as well as a hazard clinic with advanced navigators Fran Doto and Jay Breggia. The harnessing demonstrations and carriage exhibits will be on-going, and the day will wrap-up with Michael Freund teaching a clinic on how to jog a horse properly.

Finally, on Monday, February 21, the Salute to Driving weekend will wrap-up with a thrilling Combined Test Competition open to all. Drivers at the training, preliminary, and advanced levels will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in the areas of dressage and cones in front of judges Michael Freund, Martha Hank-Nicoll, and Craig Kellogg. During lunch, there will be a wonderful "Pas de Deux" dressage demonstration featuring Eventing Olympic Gold Medalist Phillip Dutton (under saddle) and Shelly Temple driving her National Champion pony. Beginning at 10 a.m., Tracy Morgan will lead "Dressage By the Side of the Ring," which will continue through the afternoon and wrap-up the days events.

The Salute to Driving weekend will be the can't miss event of 2011. With a beautiful dinner, expert clinics, and an exciting competition, the Salute to Driving will surely be a weekend full of non-stop entertainment. For more information about the Salute to Driving event being held February 19-21, 2011 in Aiken, SC, please contact Beverley Lesher at 717-554-1241 or [email protected].

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that 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 United States Equestrian Federation.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET at www.uset.org.

ENDS