 |
United
States Drivers Place Second at CAIO/CAIP-A Breda
|
Gladstone,
NJ—July 15, 2002— The United States Equestrian Team
(USET) driving team of James Fairclough of Newton, NJ, Tucker
Johnson of Oldwick, NJ and Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, combined
to place second at CAIO/CAIP-A Breda in Breda, The Netherlands
out of a field of seven competing teams. This is the best finish
of an American Four-In-Hand team in a Nations cup type competition.
With
each phase allowing for one drop score, the team was third in
the dressage phase of the competition with a score of 90.72 penalties
combining Johnson’s score of 43.52 and Weber’s score
of 47.2. In the marathon phase, the U.S team again placed third
combining Johnson’s score of 90.14 penalty points with Weber’s
score of 98.92 penalty points to finish the second phase of competition
with a total of 189.06 penalty points.
In
the final phase, the cones, Fairclough and Weber left all cones
untouched and earned a score of zero for the U.S. After the three
phases of competition, the U.S had a combined score of 279.78
points, which placed them second behind the German team who finished
with a combined score of 269.37 points. Finishing in the third
position was the team from Switzerland with a score of 285.00
points.
Not
only did the U.S place high as a team, but they also earned impressive
individual honors. Out of a field of thirty-two competitors, Johnson
placed second with a combined score of 135.66 points over the
three phases. Weber earned eighth place honors with a total score
of 146.12 points and Fairclough finished twenty-second individually
with a combined score of 167.72 points.
The
team’s strong finish in The Netherlands bodes well for the
USET’s medal chances in the Four-In-Hand Driving at the World
Championships to be held at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez,
Spain this fall. “This second place finish against some of
the world’s strongest competition is encouraging as we look
towards the World Championships in Spain this fall,” said
Wendy Wares-Cooke, the USET Director of Driving Activities. “This
finish will give the U.S team added confidence in their quest
to bring home a medal. The U.S has shown that it can be a strong
presence among top competition,” she added.
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
.
