Gladstone, NJ—June 27, 2002—Veteran United States Equestrian Team (USET) driver, Tucker S. Johnson of Oldwick, NJ, won the Four-In-Hand Dressage phase during CHIO Aachen.

Johnson, driving a team owned by Mr. & Mrs. James L. Johnson and Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Duke, topped the international field with a score of 37.28 penalties. German driver Michael Freund finished the phase in second place with a score of 40.32.

James Fairclough of Newton, NJ, drove a team owned by Jane Forbes Clark to thirteenth place, scoring 50.56. The third member of the U.S. team, Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, finished in 20th place with a score of 60.00, driving a team owned by Live Oak Plantation. Johnson’s and Fairclough’s scores combined for a team score of 87.84, putting the U.S. in 2nd place in the standings behind Germany’s 86.66 score.

Johnson set the stage for Thursday’s dressage victory by becoming the first U.S. driver to win a competition at Aachen, Germany, on Wednesday when he won that day’s Freestyle Dressage test. Although the Freestyle scores are not counted towards the team score, Johnson’s performance in the Freestyle set the standard for the team. Johnson, who was ranked number two on the FEI World Four-In-Hand rankings in 2000, and his teammates are encouraged by these two consecutive victories.

“These first two days at Aachen are very exciting for the U.S., as we anticipate a good finish for the United States,” said USET Director of Driving Wendy Wares Cooke. “It also builds our confidence for a medal in the Four-In-Hand World Championships at this fall’s World Equestrian Games.” Competition continues at Aachen through Sunday. Full results are available on www.uset.org and www.chioaachen.de .

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.