Gladstone, NJ—September 9, 2002—The United States Equestrian Team (USET) show jumping squad won the Bank of Montreal Nations’ Cup at the Spruce Meadows Masters Horse Show in Calgary, Canada on Saturday, September 7.

The U.S. defeated a star-studded field of six teams featuring world-class horses and riders. The U.S. squad, selected based on results in the World Equestrian Games (WEG) selection trials, consisted of Alison Firestone of Upperville, VA, on Casanova, owned by Mr.& Mrs. Bertram Firestone; Laura Kraut of Oconomowoc, WI, on Anthem, owned by Summit Syndicate; Margie Goldstein Engle of Wellington, FL, on Hidden Creek’s Perin, owned by Hidden Creek Farm; and Schuyler Riley of Wellington, FL, on Ilian, owned by South Beach Stables.

The U.S. scored 20 total faults based on rounds of 12 and 0 by Firestone, 4 and 4 by Riley, 4 and 20 by Kraut, and 8 and 0 by Engle. The highest score each round was dropped.

Placing second with 32 faults was Germany with Switzerland coming in third with 35 faults.

This marks the first U.S. win in the Spruce Meadows Masters Nations’ Cup, annually one of the world’s most prestigious and most competitive events, since 1994. It was the sixth U.S. win there since the Masters hosted its first Nations’ Cup in 1977. Last year, the U.S. placed second behind Ireland.

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, vaulters 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.