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Fred
Merriam Named USET Athlete of the Month for August 2002
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Gladstone,
NJ—September 4, 2002—Fred Merriam of Newfane, VT, was
named United States Equestrian Team (USET) Athlete of the Month
for August after he won the Bronze Medal at the Worlds Singles
Driving Championships in Conty, France, August 28-September 1,
becoming the first U.S driver ever to win a World Championship
Individual Medal.
Merriam,
who drove Gaitwood Lightwing, owned by Nicholas J. Mercede, finished
the dressage phase in 13th place with a score of 47.00 penalties.
After his 17th place finish in the marathon with a score of 78.33
penalties, Merriam stood in 11th place overall. His clear round
in the cones phase, the only one of the day, boosted Merriam into
third place overall with a total of 125.33 penalties.
Out
of a competitive starting field of 54 drivers, Merriam finished
behind only the Gold Medal winner, Stéphane Chouzenoux
of France who had 123.29 penalties, and Marie Kahrle of Sweden
who took the Silver Medal with 125.17 penalties.
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
.
