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USOC
Reaffirms USET’s Responsibility For International Equestrian
Programs
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GLADSTONE,
NJ—September 3, 2002--In a letter addressed to USA Equestrian
(USAE) President Alan F. Balch and United States Equestrian Team
(USET) President Armand Leone, Jr., the United States Olympic
Committee (USOC) has stated that the USET will continue to be
responsible for international equestrian competition.
The
letter is dated September 3, 2002 and signed by USOC President
Marty Mankamyer. It states that the USET and USAE are to "maintain
the status quo vis-a-vis the opportunity of athletes, coaches,
trainers, managers and administrators to prepare for and participate
in protected competitions, including World Championships and other
international events."
The
letter states that all USOC funding for equestrian sport will
be “sent directly to the USET” and that “the USET
will continue to maintain its current level of programming and
activities.”
The
USOC's letter specifically directs that “USA Equestrian shall
not interfere with the USET in its efforts to continue such program
activities."
The
letter comes on the heels of statements made by Balch in a USA
Equestrian press release dated August 29, 2002 that USA Equestrian
plans to assume control of all details of international programs
and oversight for all post-World Equestrian Games activities.
The
full text of the letter from USOC President Mankamyer follows:
“As
you are by now aware, the United States Olympic Committee (“USOC”)
Board of Directors voted to adopt the Report and Recommendation
of the Hearing Panel appointed to consider the Article VIII proceedings
involving your organizations.
In
light of the Board’s decision, it is our expectation that
USA Equestrian (“USAE”) and the United States Equestrian
Team (“USET”) will maintain the status quo vis-à-vis
the opportunity of athletes, coaches, trainers, managers and administrators
to prepare for and participate in protected competitions, including
World Championships and other international events. To that end,
any funds provided by the USOC for the sport of Equestrian shall
be sent directly to USET. Also, the USET will continue to maintain
its current level of programming and activities, including but
not limited to: 1) development and execution of selection procedures
and trials for athletes and staff for competitions to include
the World Championships, Pan American Games, Olympic Games and
other official team competitions (i.e. CIO’s); 2) development
and execution of all logistical preparation for the above mentioned
international events; and 3) maintenance of current USET grievance
procedures for athletes and staff for international competitions.
Further, the USAE shall not interfere with the USET in its efforts
to continue such program activities.
If
it appears that the sport of Equestrian is being adversely affected
by the actions of either organization or the above stipulations
are not being explicitly followed, the USOC will intervene as
necessary.
We
invite any athlete who believes he or she is being denied an opportunity
to prepare for or participate in a protected competition to contact
John Ruger. Likewise, an individual or organization that is adversely
impacted by the way Equestrian is being governed is invited to
contact me.”
Sincerely,
Marty
Mankamyer
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
.
