Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the athletes selected to represent the Defender U.S. Driving Team at the 2026 FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand Horses hosted in Aachen, Germany, from August 19-23, 2026. The team will be led by Chef d’Equipe Marcie Quist and Team Leader Steven Morrissey.

The following athletes have been selected to represent the Defender U.S. Driving Team at the 2026 FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand Horses and are listed in alphabetical order.

James Fairclough (Newton, N.J.)

Taren Lester (Citra, Fla.)

Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.)

The following athlete has been selected as the first alternate.

Jean Thornton (De Lion Springs, Fla.)
 

Competition Information
The 2026 FEI Driving World Championships for Four-in-Hands will be the first of two driving world championships this year and will be hosted during the second week of the 2026 FEI World Championships Aachen. Competition will begin on Thursday, August 20, with the first day of dressage beginning at 11:00 a.m. GMT+2/5:00 a.m. ET, followed by the second day of dressage on Friday, August 21, also beginning at 11:00 a.m. GMT+2/5:00 a.m. ET. Marathon will begin at 11:00 a.m. GMT+2/5:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, August 22, before competition concludes on August 23, awarding both team and individual medals following the cones phase, which will begin at 9:30 a.m. GMT+2/3:30 a.m. ET.

Website | Schedule | Results | US Equestrian’s Content Hub

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The USEF International High Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.