FAIR HILL - Darren Chicchia of Springville, N.Y., moved into the lead of the U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Fall Eventing Championship after the completion of the dressage phase at the Fair Hill International yesterday.

In the USA National Single Horse Driving Championship, Fred Merriam of Newfane, Vt., individual bronze medalist at the 2002 World Singles Driving Championship, completed the dressage phase in first place.

Chiacchia moved ahead of Sydney Olympic gold medalist David O'Connor of The Plains, Va., when he received a dressage score of 36.80 penalties on Windfall, a 10-year-old, black stallion.

The eventing championship continues with the cross country phase today and concludes with the stadium jumping phase tomorrow.