Source:  News Release

Jacqueline B. Mars and USET Foundation Establish "The Giltedge Challenge"

Gladstone, NJ -  - The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce a new fundraising initiative, "The Giltedge Challenge", made possible through the generosity of Jacqueline B. Mars. The goal of the initiative is to raise $1,000,000 for the discipline of Eventing. Mrs. Mars has pledged a half million dollars restricted to the Eventing High Performance Programs, if it can be matched by the Eventing community by June 1, 2013. To date, $354,000 has already been raised towards the $500,000.

The strategic plan developed by David O'Connor, U.S. Eventing Chef d'Equipe, and approved by the USEF High Performance Eventing Committee, lays out an ambitious and comprehensive program that addresses the critical factors for this country's elite and developing athletes to achieve excellence, and for the United States to be among the world's most competitive nations at CCI****'s, World Championships and Olympic Games.

Mrs. Mars, USET Foundation Trustee, Eventing horse owner and long time loyal supporter of equestrian sport, invites those who share her passion and commitment to Eventing to join her in support of the High Performance Eventing Program. Major gift commitments are eligible for the Challenge and may be paid over a four-year period. Due to the interest and appreciation of the Eventing athletes, a separate level of giving has been developed for the Long Listed Eventing Athletes.

"I am so pleased by the early and generous response to the Challenge, and appreciate the Wildasins, Broussards, Simpsons, Segals and Pollards joining me at this early stage. Giltedge was a horse who achieved amazing things through determination and a kind heart and the Eventing community is displaying those same traits, which is no surprise and incredibly rewarding", remarked Mrs. Mars.

The "Giltedge Challenge" will require extraordinary commitment and the support of those in the equestrian community who love the sport and desire to see our athletes, both equine and human, compete and win at the highest levels of international competition.

For more information on the USET Foundation and "The Giltedge Challenge", please call Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director (908) 234-1251.  

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.

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