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Two
United States Drivers Tied for Third Halfway Through Dressage
Phase at 2002 World Equestrian Games
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Jerez
de la Frontera, Spain-September 18, 2002 - At the conclusion of
the first day of the Dressage phase of the Four-In-Hand Combined
Driving World Championship on Wednesday, two United States drivers
are tied for third place at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in
Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Tucker Johnson of Hobe Sound, FL
and Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, both received an outstanding score
of 39.36 penalties. Ijsbrand Chardon of The Netherlands is in
first with a score of 34.08 and Belgian driver Felix-Marie Brasseur
sits second with a score of 36.32.
The
third member of the United States team, James Fairclough of Newton,
NJ, is in 21st position with a score of 55.04. Fairclough was
at a disadvantage as he was the first to go in the order with
less than ideal conditions.
"You
can't make excuses," said Fairclough who drove a team owned
by Jane Forbes Clark. "But it was a little spooky because
it was half dark and half light with lights shining in your eyes.
Workers were cleaning the seats and making a little noise too.
Halfway through the test I lost the team a little bit and there
were some other little mistakes, but it was OK."
Johnson
with his team, which he co-owns with Mr. and Mrs. James Johnson,
was astounded by the third place position.
"If
you would have told me that Chester and I would be tied for third
with a 39, I would have been dumbfounded," said Johnson.
"I am so pleased. I could have driven better. I knew it was
would be challenging, it was a very different feeling inside the
arena. Compared to the warm-up ring, it was like going from a
Sunday walk in the park to a nightclub."
Weber
was the last to go for the U.S. team and was pleased with the
way the day unfolded.
"The
score I received, was where I was hoping things would shake out,"
said Weber. "It's so great to be on the same team with Jimmy
and Tucker, but there is only one leg done, we have to put our
heads down and keep on working."
The
Dressage phase concludes on Thursday and the exciting Marathon
phase is on Friday. The final day of Combined Driving, the Cones,
which determines the individual and team medals, takes place on
Saturday.
Comprehensive
coverage of all World Equestrian Games competition is available
on the USET website at www.uset.org.
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
.
