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USET
Withdraws NGB Challenge
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USA
Equestrian, Inc., the National Equestrian Federation of the United
States, announced today that the United States Equestrian Team
has withdrawn its Challenge to the status of the Federation as
the national governing body for equestrian sport.
The
USET filed its Challenge with the United States Olympic Committee
in February 2001, seeking to replace USA Equestrian as the NGB.
A panel of USOC trustees held a hearing in October 2001 and, after
mediation efforts failed, the panel issued a report in June 2002,
finding that the USET did not meet the qualifications to be the
NGB, but that the NGB status of USA Equestrian should be revoked
if it did not merge with the USET to create a new organization
within 180 days. After the USOC adopted this recommendation in
July 2002, the Federation appealed this decision to an arbitration
panel, as authorized by the federal Amateur Sports Act.
Last
Friday, the Superior Court of New Jersey held that the USET lacks
both proper authorization and proper documentation to continue
with the Challenge. Apparently as a result of this ruling, the
USET notified the USOC yesterday that it has decided to withdraw
its Challenge.
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
.
