GLADSTONE, NJ-August 29, 2000-The United States Equestrian Team (USET) driving squad finished sixth at the FEI World Four-In-Hand Championship in Wolfsburg, Germany, August 24-27. Team members Tucker Johnson of Oldwick, NJ, Bill Long of Southern Pines, NC, and James Fairclough of Newton, NJ finished with a final score of 322.32.

Sweden took home the team Gold Medal with a score of 286.74. The Netherlands garnered the Silver Medal, followed by Germany with the Bronze. In individual competition, Thomas Eriksson of Sweden won the individual Gold Medal with a score of 136.68. Tucker Johnson and his team owned by Mr. and Mrs. James L. Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Duke, finished seventh with 160.02. Ranked third in the world in 1999 on the FEI Four-In-Hand list, Johnson finished fifth at the 1998 World Four-In-Hand Championship in Rome.

Bill Long drove his team owned by Triangle Bar Farms to a 12th place finish with his score of 163.10. Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, who qualified to compete with his own team as an individual for the USET, was close behind in 13th with a score of 163.14. James Fairclough and his team owned by Jane Forbes Clark placed 39th (with a score of 249.36) after turning over at the second hazard in the marathon. He and all his horses were unhurt and came back to score only 5 penalties in the cones 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.