2002 World Equestrian Games

United States Drivers Make History With Team Silver Medal Win at 2002 World Equestrian Games

Jerez de la Frontera, Spain – September 21, 2002 – The United States Drivers made history winning the team Silver Medal in the Four-In-Hand Driving World Championship on Saturday at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. Until now the best finish for a U.S. Four-In-Hand team at a World Championship was fourth in 1984 and 1986.

All three drivers on the U.S. team went clear in Saturday’s concluding Cones phase finishing with a three-phase score of 286.52 penalties. The

Netherlands won the Gold scoring 275.01 and the Bronze went to Germany with 291.54.

James Fairclough of Newton, NJ, driving a team owned by Jane Forbes Clark, was the first to go for the U.S. team and set the tone by having a double clear. Fairclough had bad luck in the first two phases and really wanted to go clear to help the team.

“It was nice to go clear and take the pressure off the other guys,” said Fairclough. “I had a little bad luck the first two days and was the drop score. I’m really glad I was able to do this for them. I have been trying for twenty two years to get a Four-In-Hand medal. It’s nice to finally have one to hang on the wall.”

By the time Chester Weber of Ocala, FL drove his team in the cones phase, the Gold Medal was already won. A clear go by Weber would clinch the Silver for the U.S., but Weber also wanted the U.S.E.T. Four-In-Hand Championship title which was to go to the top U.S. finisher at these World Championships.

“I knew I could go clear,” said Weber. “I wanted to do well for the team, but I also wanted to win the National title. It was between Tucker and me and although we are friends on the ground, we fight in the carriage. It was great to be on this team though we are all such good friends.”

Weber finished fifth with a score of 143.33.