2002 World Equestrian Games

The Americans Join Germany and Holland on the Medal Podium

What a great World Equestrian Games we are having. The Medals continue to add up for our U.S. riders here in Spain. Today it was the Drivers who had their chance on the podium…and a proud group they were. By the time it was over the U.S. team of Jimmy Fairclough (Newton,NJ), Tucker Johnson (HobeSound, Florida) and Chester Weber (Ocala, FL) had earned for the U.S. first ever World Championship Silver Medal. Individually they would not stand on any of the three podiums but they were not far behind. Claiming the Gold would be World Champion Isjbrand Chardon (The Netherlands), Christoph Sandmann (Germany Weber. Fairclough finished 25TH. The Team Gold Medal went to The Netherlands and Germany won the Bronze.

After the Dressage Phase Chardon would take over the lead (34,08) he would never relinquish. Belgian driver Felix-Marie Brasseur stood second (36,32), and Weber and Johnson were tied for third (39,36). Fairclough was in the 27th spot.

Once Dressage was over, they knew they'd have to face a tough marathon. This was a World Championship and as such the course designer used his creativity to design a tough and technical course. Johnson and Weber had some tough spots but none of their problems cost them too dearly. But for Fairclough a mistake at the first water obstacle #4 when he went through gate F in the wrong direction kept him low in the order (26th). The other two were sitting third and fourth.

It was Eriksson who would win the Marathon Phase but because of his high dressage score the lead was still held by Chardon. Sandmann placed second in the Marathon which also moved him up to the second spot overall.

As for the Americans, they were going strong. Johnson finished 8th in the Marathon and Johnson 9th. Fairclough moved from his 27th position after dressage to the 26th spot. Fortunately, Tucker's and Johnson's dressage scores allowed them to keep their 4th and 5th place positions.