FAIR HILL, MD-October 25,2001-Five-time U.S. Olympic veteran Bruce Davidson of Unionville, PA is tied for the lead half-way through the dressage phase of the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall Eventing Championship at the Fair Hill International. Davidson, on Squire’s Cap, is tied with Cathy Wieschhoff of Lexington, KY on Rainbow Magic. Each has a score of 55.8 penalties.

“I was so excited after my score was announced that I gave Bruce a big hug and said ‘I can’t believe I’m tied with you,’” said an elated Wieschhoff.

“He’s always been the best rider and I know that I had to have ridden well today to tie him for the lead.”

The eventing championship continues with the second half of the horses’ dressage phase on Friday, followed by the cross country phase on Saturday and the concluding stadium jumping phase on Sunday.

This year’s Fair Hill International has a record 101 eventing entries, with riders representing Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Belgium, India, Finland, Australia and the United States.

In driving, Jim Fairclough of Newton, NJ leads after the dressage phase of the USET Four-In-Hand Championship with a score of 47.04 penalties, while Kate Shields of Middleburg, VA leads in the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) Singles Championship with a score of 45.80 and five-time USET Pairs Champion Lisa Singer of Chadds Ford, PA leads in the Fair Hill Pairs Classic with 47.68 penalties.

In the AHSA Pony Driving Championships, Tracey Morgan of Beallsville, MD leads the Pairs division with 49.92 penalties and Jack Wetzel of Aiken, SC leads the Singles division with 47.00 penalties.

The Fair Hill International singles and pairs horse driving competitions serve as the final leg of the Jaguar Triple Crown of Driving, presented by Driving Essentials/Glinkowski Carriages. The Fair Hill International also serves as a USET selection trial for the 2002 Four-In-Hand and Singles Driving World Championships, to be held in Jerez, Spain and Conty, France, respectively.

While taking a break from the equestrian competition at the Fair Hill International, visitors are able to enjoy the variety of shopping and dining opportunities. The Country Shops feature vendors of tack, artwork, pet needs and fine apparel for a unique opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping. The Fair Hill Club provides a fine dining experience, while others seeking a more casual snack or meal will enjoy Blue Marlin Catering’s pubs around the Fair Hill grounds and the classic Maryland crab-cakes. The Equine Health Pavilion, sponsored by Cosequin, features educational opportunities with experts from the New Bolton Center at The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Smartpak (custom packager of daily supplements for equine feed), and Pennfield Feed together with Kentucky Equine Research, a leading equine nutrition, research and consultation company. Talks, demonstrations, and autograph sessions with international stars of eventing and combined driving will round out the opportunities in the Equine Health Pavilion.

Tickets for the Fair Hill International are available by the day, or as a four-day pass. On Friday, tickets are $8.00 per person; Saturday’s admission fee is $12.00; Sunday’s is $10.00. Children under 12 are admitted free. Parking is $5.00 per car.

The Fair Hill International is sponsored by Cosequin, the United States Equestrian Team, Banner Life Insurance, Bit of Britain, First Union Private Capital Management, Glenmede Trust, Jaguar, Nawpac, Outback Performance Wear with Gore-Tex Fabric by Outback Trading Company, Ltd., Pennfield Feeds, Practical Horseman, Scudder Financial Services, Southern States Cooperative, Supracor, Thornhill Enterprises, and Thoroughbred Charities of America, Ltd. For full results and more information on the Fair Hill International, please visit www.fairhillinternational.com.