Jerez de la Frontera, Spain–September 19, 2002 – The United States is in first place following Thursday’s completion of the Dressage phase of the Four-In-Hand Driving World Championship at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

The U.S. team has a combined score of 78.72 penalties. The Netherlands is second with 79.04 and Germany is third with 83.36.

Individually, the results stayed the same as yesterday with Tucker Johnson of Hobe Sound, FL, driving a team he co-owns with Mr. and Mrs. James L. Johnson, and Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, driving his team, remaining in a tie for third place. The two U.S. drivers received an impressive score of 39.36 penalties on Wednesday, during the first day of Dressage. Ijsbrand Chardon of The Netherlands is still in first with a score of 34.08 and Belgian driver Felix-Marie Brasseur sits second with a score of 36.32.

The third member of the United States team, James Fairclough of Newton, NJ, driving a team owned by Jane Forbes Clark, is now in twenty-seventh position with a score of 55.04.

USET Chef d’ Equipe, Hardy Zantke, was thrilled with the U.S. team’s lead. “That’s the position we hoped to be in and it came true,” said Zantke. “We are very satisfied and happy with the position, but it was not a complete surprise. Of course, tomorrow is another important day.”

Zantke was speaking of the most exciting phase of Combined Driving, the Marathon, which takes place on Friday. The final day of Combined Driving, the Cones, which determines the individual and team medals, takes place on Saturday.

Comprehensive coverage of all World Equestrian Games competition is available on the USET website at www.uset.org.

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.