Photo: Chester Weber, the seven-time US National Four-In-Hand Combined Driver, donated a “Carriage Ride for Two” during the silent auction at the “Once upon a Dress” gala at Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)
Ocala, FL (March 9, 2010) – Anne King grew up riding horses and has always had an interest in carriage driving. When King learned that Combined Driver Chester Weber, the seven-time US National Four-In-Hand Champion, was going to offer a “Carriage Ride for Two” during the silent auction at the “Once upon a Dress” gala at the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club, she didn’t hesitate about bidding.
“As soon as I heard about the carriage ride with Chester, I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” King said, adding that she and her husband, Chris, thoroughly enjoyed their time with Weber. “I am really interested in driving and it was very exciting meeting Chester and visiting Live Oak.”
King said Weber was the ultimate host while she and her husband visited Live Oak, showing them the barn and introducing them to all of the horses that make up his famous and award-winning Team Weber. “Then Chester took us out on the marathon carriage with the four-in-hand,” King said. “I had lots and lots of questions and Chester answered all of them. The whole experience was really wonderful and we had a great time.”
Weber’s carriage drive was part of a silent auction at the gala, with all proceeds benefiting the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA), a nonprofit organization that promotes the arts in Marion County. “Chester was an early supporter of MCA, hosting the Horse Fever auction at Live Oak in March of 2002. The Horse Fever auction raised over $850,000, and allowed the MCA to begin an endowment that now exceeds $500,000 to the benefit of the entire arts community,” said Paula King, board member for the MCA.
Weber is known for being a force in the combined driving world as well as an equestrian who is very willing to give back to the community. An active member of the Ocala equestrian community, Weber serves on the Equine Advisory Board of Central Florida Community College.
Weber is also an active member of the Unites States Equestrian Federation, serving on the Board of Directors, the High Performance Driving Committee, the National Driving Committee, the Safety Committee and he serves as Chairman of the Active Athletes Committee and the Dressage Search Committee. In addition, he is active in the development and promotion of the Live Oak International Combined Driving Event.
Weber was named a USEF Equestrian of Honor, and throughout 2009 he raised the bar to a new standard as an ambassador for the USEF. With Jamaica, his 2008 USEF Horse of the Year, Weber made public appearances that supported rescue organizations and horse adoption and took part in a variety of charities including the “Kiss the Horse for Literacy” fundraising campaign.
The recent winner of the FEI Horse Team at the Sunshine State FEI Combined Driving Event, Weber now has his sights set on defending his title at the national championships at the end of March and competing in the World Equestrian Games in the fall. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com.
For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
www.chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139
Newsroom Associate
Staff Writer
support@horsesinthesouth.com