James Fairclough knew he had a few cones in hand in the advanced four-in-hand division going into the final phase, but he also knew that anything could happen.

While he was cautious with Jane Clark’s warmbloods in the muddy footing, he showed how it should be done, earning just 3 time penalties.

“I used a carriage with delayed steering for the cones for the first time,” said Fairclough, of Newton, N.J. “So it was nice to play with that.”

Chester Weber, leading after dressage, opted out of the class due to the wet weather conditions and shipped his horses back to his Florida base.
Fairclough won the marathon and said his horses were still fresh despite the terrain.

Organizers had modified the marathon, shortening Section A and removing the fifth hazard, the steeplechase, and Fairclough matched his pace to the elements.

“It was slippery so I just trotted, because I didn’t want anybody to hurt themselves,” said Fairclough, who plans to compete at the U.S. Equestrian Federation National Four-In-Hand Championship (Ky.) in October.