Driver Tucker Johnson Represents the United States at World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany

Aachen, Germany- August 24, 2005- After the first of three phases in the four-in-hand driving competition at the World Equestrian Festival, Tucker S. Johnson currently ranks in third place. Johnson is the only competitor representing the United States of America out of 25 exhibitors in the Combined Driving event at the six day competition. Including show jumping and dressage, the World Equestrian Festival offers more than $1.6 million dollars in prize money.

Johnson traveled from his residence in Hobe Sound, Florida to Aachen with his team of four horses: Dexter, Jonny, Spotlight, and Williams. Today the Johnson team completed the dressage test, which requires competitors to perform a series of choreographed movements within a rectangular arena. The team earned a score of 67.10 percent and was well-received by the crowd, which broke out into applause at the performance’s end. Chester Weber, another talented American driver, showed his support for Johnson at the Festival.

“We did well,” commented Johnson after his drive. “It was fun, and the horses went great. We’re looking forward to the rest of the competition. I feel so lucky to be here.”

Michael Freund of Germany took the top position with a score of 70, while Ysbrand Chardon of the Netherlands earned second place with 67.50 percent.

The Driven Dressage Competition is judged on the regularity of paces of the horses, harmony, impulsion, suppleness, lightness, ease of movement, and correct bending of the horses while in motion. Style, accuracy, and general control of the horses are also key factors in the scoring process. Along with the movement of the team, drivers are also graded on their dress, the condition of their harness and vehicle, and their presentations as a whole.

The most popular phase of the Combined Driving Championship is the Marathon, which takes place this upcoming weekend. The Marathon takes place over obstacles and is designed to test the fitness, stamina, and training of the horses. The competitor’s driving skill, judgment of pace, and general horsemanship during the competition is also taken into account during the scoring process of this section. After the Driven Dressage and Marathon portions, riders must complete the Obstacle Cone Driving phase.

Tucker Johnson is one of many fortunate riders who traveled to Europe with the help of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The USET Foundation provides funding and grants to high performance athletes and their horses through their partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation. The USET Foundation supports the training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of America's top athletes and horses for international programs and competitions.

World Equestrian Festival Driven Dressage Results:

1.) Michael Freund, Germany

2.) Ysbrand Chardon, Netherlands

3.) Tucker Johnson, USA

4.) Werner Ulrich, Switzerland

5.) Christoph Sandmann, Germany

6.) Zoltan Lazar, Hungary

7.) Gert Schrijvers, Belgium

8.) Marie Felix Brasseur, Belgium

9.) Koos De Ronde, Netherlands

Your contributions to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation support America’s High Performance athletes at international competitions. Please contribute online at www.uset.org.

Visit the official website of the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany at: http://www.chioaachen.de or for unique and up to the minute coverage visit Towerheads at: www.towerheads.com

PHOTO CREDIT: Tucker Johnson at the World Equestrian Festival n Aachen, Germany PHOTO BY: Ken Braddick-HorseSport USA