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Trustees
of United States Equestrian Team Vote To Support Recommendations
of USOC Hearing Panel
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Gladstone,
NJ—June 17, 2002—Following last week’s release
of recommendations made by the United States Olympic Committee
(USOC) Hearing Panel reviewing the status of USA Equestrian (USAE),
formerly the AHSA, as the National Governing Body (NGB) for equestrian
sport, the Trustees of the United States Equestrian Team (USET)
passed the following resolution on Monday, June 17 during a teleconference
meeting:
"The
United States Equestrian Team Board of Trustees supports the recommendations
of the United States Olympic Committee Hearing Panel and votes
to use its best efforts to implement the resolution of the Hearing
Panel including the resignation of the USET Chairman, Mr. Frank
Lloyd, and the USET President, Dr. Armand Leone, Jr. The USET
Trustees look to the Board of USA Equestrian to implement a similar
motion in a timely manner, including the resignation of Mr. Alan
Balch as President."
The
USOC Hearing Panel ruled that USAE does not meet the criteria
for recognition as the NGB having delegated many, if not most,
of its responsibilities to the USET over the past half-century.
Accordingly, "the Panel recommends to the [USOC] Board that
the formal recognition now held by the USAE be revoked."
The
Hearing Panel recommended “that for the good of the sport
of equestrian, the current officers of each organization step
aside. Specifically, the Panel recommends that Alan Balch, and
Armand Leone and Frank Lloyd step aside from their roles at their
respective organizations and that those individuals not be permitted
to take part in the governance of the sport of equestrian for
a minimum of six (6) years.”
The
Hearing Panel provided for a 180-day probationary period prior
to formally declaring an NGB vacancy. The USOC has recommended
that in order to have any further role in the governance of the
sport of equestrian, USAE must work with the USET during this
probationary period to form a new organization to act as NGB.
The Hearing Panel recommended that any new organization that may
be formed to replace USAE as the NGB, "must be staffed by
employees with equivalent experience to those of the USET in the
areas relating to the international aspects of the sport..."
and, furthermore, must "establish a Board of Directors/Executive
Committee voting structure that sufficiently protects the International
Operating Division [USET]..."
With its June 17 vote, the USET Trustees accept the USOC recommendations
and pledge to work with USAE within the guidelines put forth by
the Hearing Panel.
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
.
