Mill Spring, N.C. – The U.S. Driving Team steered their way to the lead on Friday following the dressage phase, the first of three phases that will culminate in the world championship team title at the FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) Tryon 2018. Led by Chef d’Equipe Barry Hunter, the U.S. team of James Fairclough, Misdee Wrigley Miller, and Chester Weber aimed for high marks in the U.S. team’s strongest phase of the event. Accomplishing their goal, the U.S. Driving Team heads into Richard Nichol’s marathon course on Saturday with a score of 77.10. The Netherlands sit in second with a score of 87.43, with France in third on a score 101.40.
First in for the U.S. and third in the order, James “Jimmy” Fairclough (Newton, N.J.) with Bento V, his 2006 Dutch Warmblood gelding; Caletta 5, his 2002 Austrian Warmblood mare; Citens, his 2007 KWPN gelding; and Dapper, his 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding, drove down centerline to home crowd applause. Fairclough was pleased with his performance, putting in a solid test for the U.S., even with the change from grass to stadium footing.
“I felt [the horses] performed really well,” said Fairclough. “All in all they did well. I had a couple of mistakes, a break in the walk, but the back was good and I was really pleased with them. This footing, the way that they rolled it and packed it, is quite good. I don’t mind it at all.”
Fairclough’s score of 53.15 puts him in 11th headed into the second phase.
The only female driver to ever be named to a four-in-hand combined driving U.S. Driving Team, and competing in her second WEG, Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) with Beau, her 2006 KWPN gelding; Bravour 54, her 2006 KWPN gelding; Bolino D, her 2006 KWPN gelding; and Daan 8, her 2008 KNHS gelding, completed the second test for the United States. Though she felt that she had made some small errors in her strongest phase, her score of 42.00 still reflected a solid test and put her in fourth place individually, and the only female driver to break the top eight.
“Overall, I’m really pleased,” said Wrigley Miller. “The horses were so amazing and they were really great for this test today. We gradually brought them along and they were ready for the test…I love my horses; they were great. [There is] a lot of atmosphere here, which I think is great.”
Looking to marathon, Wrigley Miller commented, “It’s a beautiful course. Richard Nichol has built a beautiful course. The obstacles are challenging, but very fair, very drivable. Tomorrow, I am worried about the heat and the footing because as we have been walking these obstacles, you feel that because of the humidity and the heat, it is just heavy going. I think that is going to cause a bit of a problem. The obstacles themselves, of course, are magnificent…it is such an honor to be here representing the United States.”
WEG veteran Weber (Ocala, Fla.) was the final U.S. driver into the ring. He and his experienced team of Asjemenou, his 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding; Splash, Jane Clark’s 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding; First Edition, his 2009 KWPN gelding; and Boris W, his 2006 KWPN gelding, needed strong marks to keep the U.S. team in the lead. Weber was the first U.S. driver to break the 30’s, and his score of 35.10 put the U.S. team solidly in the lead and Weber in second individually.
“I am really pleased with the horses,” said Weber. “We have been working towards this result all season with scores hovering around the 40 mark and I couldn’t be more pleased with 35 at the [WEG]. The horses felt really good and I couldn’t be more pleased with them…I’m over the moon about it.”
The U.S. Driving Team will contest phase two of the combined driving world championship, the marathon phase, on Saturday, September 22 beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET. The marathon phase will be streamed live on FEITV and broadcast on NBC Sports.
Competition Information
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Quotable:
Fairclough on being at the WEG and the U.S. Team:
“I started in [1980 and] here I am. I love it! It’s great! Misdee [Wrigley Miller] is doing a fantastic job, especially with dressage, and Chester [Weber], we go back a long time. I think it’s a great team and I think we have three great cones drivers and that will help on Sunday.”
Fairclough on looking ahead to the marathon phase:
“I don’t think we are all used to the tracks that we have – we have a lot of grass tracks. Those carts weigh 600 kilos, so they cut into the turf. The finish at A, if they leave it in, is uphill and in grass. So [the horses] never get a break. They have to pull the whole time. And the same between the hazards, we are always on grass and you are cutting into that turf with these tires. It’s going to pull heavy and it’s going to be hot. We are going to have to conserve [the horses] when we can and drive a very calculated course.”
Wrigley Miller on what she loves about combined driving:
“The challenge. The challenge of taking four horses over three different days of challenges for them, and being able to come out alright – I just love that. I love the time that I have to spend with my horses. As you guys know, it takes hours and hours of training in this sport, it is not easy. And I just love the hours that I get to spend with my horses.”