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.