FAIR HILL, MD-October 26,2001-Darren Chiacchia of Springville, NY moved into the lead of the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall Eventing Championship at the Fair Hill International following the completion of the dressage phase on Friday.

Chiacchia, who competed in Europe this summer on a USET competition and training grant, received a score of 49.2 penalties from the three-judge panel for his ride on Windfall. Moving into second place with a score of 49.6 on Jenga was Bonnie Mosser of Coatesville, PA. Three-time U.S. Olympic veteran Karen O'Connor of The Plains, VA is third with a score of 55.4 on Grand Slam while Thursday's co-leaders, five-time U.S. Olympic veteran Bruce Davidson of Unionville, PA, on Squire's Cap, and Cathy Wieschhoff of Lexington, KY, on Rainbow Magic, are tied for fourth, along with Peter Green of Upperville, VA, with 55.8 penalties.

"Windfall is an amazing horse," Chiacchia said. "He's very steady and a beautiful mover. He likes the big show atmosphere."

The eventing championship continues with the cross country phase on Saturday and the concluding stadium jumping phase on Sunday.

This year's Fair Hill International has a record 96 entries (after scratches), with riders representing Ireland, Mexico, Canada, Belgium, India, Finland, Australia and the United States.

In driving, Jim Fairclough of Newton, NJ moved a big step closer toward winning his first USET Four-In-Hand Championship since 1994 with a strong performance in the marathon. Fairclough, who placed first in Thursday's opening dressage phase, also won the marathon scoring 103.30 penalties for a two-phase score of 150.34. Standing second entering Saturday's concluding cones phase is five-time champion Tucker Johnson of Oldwick, NJ with a score of 289.90.

"I am very pleased with my horses," said Fairclough who also won the Championship in 1982 and who has been runner-up eight times. "They were fabulous yesterday in dressage and they were able to overcome a few mistakes today."

Nancy Johnson of Lincoln, MA leads in the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA) Singles Championship with a score of 113.92 penalties following her win in the marathon which she finished with 63.52 penalties. Five-time USET Pairs Champion Lisa Singer of Chadds Ford, PA leads in the Fair Hill Pairs Classic with a score of 119.59 after placing second to Canada's Andre Paquin in the marathon. Pacquin stands second overall with 132.66 penalties. In the AHSA Pony Driving Championships, Tracey Morgan of Beallsville, MD maintained her lead in the Pairs division with a two-phase score of 126.25 and Jack Wetzel of Aiken, SC narrowly leads the Singles division with a score of 121.28. Allison Stroud of West Grove, PA is second with a score of 121.48.

The Fair Hill International singles and pairs horse driving competitions serve as the final leg of the Jaguar Triple Crown of Driving, presented by Driving Essentials/Glinkowski Carriages. Saturday will feature a dramatic showdown for the Jaguar Triple Crown title as Johnson and Singer are neck-and-neck entering the final day. Johnson, who entered Fair Hill with a score of 226.48, leads Singer, a two-time Triple Crown champion, who entered Fair Hill with a score of 227.22. Their scores in Saturday's cones phase could ultimately determine this year's winner.

The Fair Hill International also serves as a USET selection trial for the 2002 Four-In-Hand and Singles Driving World Championships, to be held in Jerez, Spain and Conty, France, respectively.

While taking a break from the equestrian competition at the Fair Hill International, visitors are able to enjoy the variety of shopping and dining opportunities. The Country Shops feature vendors of tack, artwork, pet needs and fine apparel for a unique opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping. The Fair Hill Club provides a fine dining experience, while others seeking a more casual snack or meal will enjoy Blue Marlin Catering's pubs around the Fair Hill grounds and the classic Maryland crab-cakes. The Equine Health Pavilion, sponsored by Cosequin, features educational opportunities with experts from the New Bolton Center at The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Smartpak (custom packager of daily supplements for equine feed), and Pennfield Feed together with Kentucky Equine Research, a leading equine nutrition, research and consultation company. Talks, demonstrations, and autograph sessions with international stars of eventing and combined driving will round out the opportunities in the Equine Health Pavilion.