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Fairclough
and Shields Win USET Selection Trials at Georgia International
CDE
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Gladstone,
NJ—April 11, 2002—James Fairclough of Newton, NJ and
Kate Shields of Middleburg VA, won the USET World Championship
selection trials at the Georgia International Combined Driving
Event in Conyers, Georgia.
Fairclough,
current USET Four-In-Hand Champion, was second to Chester Weber
in the Four-In-Hand World Championship selection trial after dressage.
Marathon day held a surprise as Fairclough and Weber finished
the marathon with the same score, leaving Weber with a 2.6 point
lead in the overall competition. Sunday’s cones competition
was the deciding factor in Fairclough’s victory, as Weber
had two balls down, to Fairclough’s one, giving Fairclough
the victory.
The
Four-In-Hand World Championship will be held as part of the World
Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, September 18-21.
Besting
a field of 10, Kate Shields, driving her own “Hastening Mayflower,”
won the selection trial for the Singles World Championship to
be held in Conty, France, August 28 – September 1 . Shields
won the dressage phase with a score of 41.7, followed by Fred
Merriam of Brattleboro, VT, with 44.0 and Kelly Valdes with 46.3.
The marathon was won by Merriam driving Winchester Stables’
“Gaitwood Lightwing”, which moved him into the overall
lead over Shields and Valdes, driving her “White Hall”.
Ultimately, with 16 penalty points accrued in cones, Merriam lost
his lead to Shields.
All
of the first three placing singles drivers had just participated
in a USET Training Session in Aiken, SC given by Lisa Singer,
and hosted by Jack Wetzel, the week before this competition.
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
.
