Gladstone, NJ—September 3, 2002—Fred Merriam of Newfane, VT, driving Gaitwood Lightwing owned by Nicholas J. Mercede, won the Bronze Medal at the World Singles Championship in Conty, France, August 28 – September 1. This marks the first individual medal ever won by an American in a World Driving Championship.

Merriam finished the dressage phase in 13th place with a score of 47.00 penalties. After his 17th place finish in the marathon with a score of 78.33 penalties, Merriam stood in 11th place overall. His clear round in the cones phase, the only one of the day, boosted Merriam into third place overall with a total of 125.33 penalties.

Out of a starting field of 54 drivers, Merriam finished behind only the Gold Medal winner, Stephane Chouzenoux of France who had 123.29 penalties, and Marie Kahrle of Sweden who took the Silver Medal with 125.17 penalties. The other drivers on the United States Equestrian Team (USET) squad – Eleanor Gallagher of Southern Pines, NC, and Nancy Johnson of Lincoln, MA – finished 44th and 45th respectively. The United States finished in 13th place as a team with the team Gold Medal going to Sweden, and the Silver to Finland. Austria won the team Bronze.

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.