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Chester WeberCombined Driver Chester Weber Drives Away with Becky Grand Hart Trophy, Equestrian of Honor and USEF Four-In-Hand Horse of the YearJane Forbes Clark’s Splash Named USEF Four-in-Hand Driving Champion  USEF President David O’Connor (left) and Chester Weber. (Photo courtesy of Geoff Oliver Bugbee/USEF) Ocala, FL (January 23, 2012) — Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, had a stellar 2011 on both the national and international field, ending the year with the highlight of being named a 2011 USEF Equestrian of Honor. As America’s most decorated combined driver, Weber also won the Becky Grand Hart Trophy, an award presented to international-level non-Olympic athletes. Weber was presented the Becky Grand Hart Trophy during the United States Equestrian Federation’s Annual Pegasus Awards ceremony. The prior evening, Weber’s team of horses made a clean sweep of the National Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horse of the Year category. Splash, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, took home the Championship with Weber’s horse Reno W earning the Reserve Championship. Uniek, also owned by Clark, along with Weber’s horses Rolex W, Para and Boy W rounded out the Four in Hand Horse of the Year honors. WIHS Silent Auction Holiday Edition Is Now Open for Bidding
 McLain Ward. Diana De Rosa Photography Online auction offers fabulous, one-of-a-kind and equestrian-themed holiday gifts Washington, D.C, Dec. 16, 2011 – Looking for that perfect gift for a loved one (or yourself)? The Washington International Horse Show silent auction is offering a wonderful selection of fun, one-of-a-kind and equestrian-themed items for the holidays. How about a private riding lesson with Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward or a weekend getaway at the Blackthorne Inn in Upperville, Va., with two polo lessons and a special dinner at the Fox’s Den Tavern? And for the non-equestrian on your list, who wouldn’t love tickets to NBC’s Saturday Night Live, or the ultimate father/son getaway at the Otesaga Hotel & Resort, golf at Leatherstocking Golf Course and a private tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. For one week only, Dec. 13-20, these and a dozen other specially selected items are available for your bid in the WIHS Silent Auction Holiday Edition, an online auction allowing you to join in the fun and place bids from your computer or smart phone at home, at the barn, at work or anywhere you have Internet access. Chester Weber Wins Katydid CDE Four-In-Hand with New Team of Horses Chester Weber drove away as the winner of the Four-In-Hand Advanced Horse Teams with a new team of horses during the 2011 Katydid CDE. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com) Aiken, SC (November 10, 2011) – Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, drove away as the winner of the Four-In-Hand Advanced Horse Teams with a new team of horses during the 2011 Katydid CDE in Aiken, South Carolina. Weber’s new team, including three horses owned by Jane Forbes Clark and two by Weber, proved their future star power by winning the dressage, marathon and cones during the event. Weber, who has proven he can dominate the Four-In-Hand field regardless of the horses he is driving, said he was pleased with the effort his new team gave. “Boris W is a five-year-old that I have had in training in Ocala for a year. This was his first show and I have high hopes for him. I drove him in the left lead in dressage and cones,” Weber said. “Caletta is an eight-year-old Austrian bred mare owned by Jane Clark and I drove her all three days in the right wheel. Caletta previously competed at the World Equestrian Games with Jim Fairclough.” Caletta’s full sister, Celina, also made the team and the 10-year-old competed all three days in the left wheel. “The other two were Boy W and Jane Clark’s Splash and I drove them together in the lead of the marathon,” Weber said, adding that he feels he has added great depth to his stable with the combined talents of Team Weber and Team Clark. Chester Weber Donates Carriage Ride to Silent Auction at Sebastian Ferrero Foundation 2011 Noche de Gala Combined Driver Chester Weber donated a carriage ride to the silent auction at the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation’s 4th annual fundraising event, Noche de Gala. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber) Ocala, FL (November 8, 2011) – Horst and Luisa Ferrero, founders of the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, will soon enjoy a carriage ride with world champion combined driver Chester Weber at his scenic Live Oak Farm in Ocala, Florida. Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, donated a carriage ride to the silent auction at the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation’s 4th annual fundraising event, Noche de Gala, and the Ferreros won the bid to spend an afternoon driving with the Four-In-Hand Champion. The 4th Annual Noche de Gala “Enchanted” was held Saturday, October 22nd at Besilu Collection in Micanopy, Florida, benefiting the Shands Hospital for Children at the University of Florida. The evening proved to be a success and a night to remember, with more than 1,000 guests, 120 sponsors and over 150 volunteers. Thanks to the support of the community, the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation was proud to give a $1.5 million gift to support the next phase of the children’s hospital — the pediatric intensive care unit. Combined Driver Chester Weber Joins European Website Panel Chester Weber and his team competing at the CAI Riesenbeck. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber) Ocala, FL (November 4, 2011) – The European equestrian website HorsUs has asked combined driver Chester Weber to join their panel of famous equestrians. Weber will take part in the website’s “Ask It” panel where he will answer questions sent it by fans of the website www.HorsUs.eu. As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Weber has a vast amount of experience he will be able to share on the website. “I am looking forward to seeing the questions that I have to answer,” Weber said. “I know that each member of the panel answers five questions sent in by visitors to the website and I think this is a great way for riders and drivers to get help with specific challenges they may be facing with their own horses.” Australian Combined Driver Boyd Exell, a contemporary of Weber’s, is also part of the “Ask It” panel. Weber, a highly competitive driver who is known for setting goals and accomplishing them, said he likes the idea of equine enthusiasts getting the chance to get assistance from professionals. “Thanks to websites like HorsUs, the public has access to the best competitors without the need for them to travel to clinics,” Weber said, adding that he enjoys sharing his experience and expertise with others. “I love the sport of combined driving and anytime I can help someone with a question, I am happy to do so. Our sport will only grow through education and I want to be part of that process.” Chester Weber Donates “Jamaica Perpetual Trophy” to Winner of the USEF National Championship Combined Driving Single Horse Chester Weber is donating a sterling silver trophy to the winner of the USEF National Championship Combined Driving Single Horse. (Photo courtesy of JRPR) Ocala, FL (October 27, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, is donating a sterling silver trophy to the winner of the USEF National Championship Combined Driving Single Horse. Entitled the “Jamaica Perpetual Trophy,” the trophy honors Weber’s legendary equine partner Jamaica who was named the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year. The Jamaica Perpetual Trophy will be awarded at the Katydid CDE held November 4th through 6th in Aiken, South Carolina. Weber, who has made tremendous contributions to the sport of combined driving, said he is thrilled to be donating the trophy. “Jamaica is retired now and living happily at my farm in Ocala, but he will forever be a horse that stands out in my career for his desire to lead my team and win,” Weber said, adding that Jamaica is now 20 years old. “Although Jamaica never competed as a single horse, he had the honor of being the only Four-In-Hand horse ever singled out to win the USEF Horse of the Year title. Jamaica’s fame really helped to promote the sport of combined driving over the years and I am pleased that his contribution will carry on in the form of this trophy.” 2011 CHIO Aachen Marathon Driving to Air on HRTV Chester Weber competing at the CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Franz Steindl) Ocala, FL (October 19, 2011) – On Thursday, October 20th, HRTV will air the 2011 CHIO Aachen Marathon Driving followed by a re-airing of “Holding the Reins,” which showcases Chester Weber, America’s most decorated competitor in the sport of Combined Driving. The show will air at 9:30pm Eastern and Pacific, in addition to a 1:30am air on Friday morning, 10:30pm Pacific. The two shows highlight the sport of Combined Driving at its most competitive. HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, will run the CHIO Aachen Marathon, the most demanding phase of Combined Driving that combines agility, teamwork, and stamina. “Holding the Reins” is a 24-minute look at the exciting world of combined driving – which is considered one of the fastest growing sports in the industry – and features the story of how Weber grew up on a Thoroughbred racehorse farm to become one of our country’s leading drivers. Weber has had great success both nationally and internationally, bringing home numerous wins under the American flag. At the 2011 CHIO Aachen, Weber won the dressage phase and finished third individually at the prestigious competition. On the same European tour Weber won the CAI Vecses, CAI Altenfelden, and the CAI Riesenbeck. Most recently, the decorated driver served as Chef d’Equipe to the Pony and Pony Pairs Teams at the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica, Slovenia, where Pony Team USA took home the Team Bronze Medal and Suzy Stafford, competing as an individual for Team USA, took home the Individual Bronze Medal. The goal-oriented Weber has his sights set on being the best in the world and during the HRTV show the United States Driving Chef d’Equipe, Ed Young, discussed Weber’s ambitions. “I think we will see Chester become the World Champion,” Young said. Canadian Eventer Kim Logue Wins Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience to Train with Chester Weber through Gift of the Horse Website Contest Kim Logue is Chester Weber’s biggest fan and won an essay contest for an opportunity to train with the legendary combined driver. (Photo courtesy of Ze’ev Gedalof) Ocala, FL (September 8, 2011) – Canadian rider Kim Logue may just be the biggest fan of Combined Driver Chester Weber, a fact she proved when she won a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend two days on Weber’s Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida, training with the legendary combined driver. Logue won the contest on the Gift of the Horse website by writing an award winning essay explaining why she is Weber’s biggest fan. In her winning essay she said, “Chester Weber is a champion many times over, but there are other reasons I am his number one fan. He has been the introduction to the sport of Combined Driving, not just for me, but also for countless enthusiasts. I can vividly remember an entrancing demo during the Symphony of the Horse Charity Fundraiser in Gainesville, Florida where he was wearing a headset mic and whipping around the arena describing the sport in general, as well as the specific methods he was using moment by moment, with his team in action, to give a taste of the sport.” Logue went on to write that she admires that fact that Weber believes in cross training his horses and she added that she is his number one fan, “because of the respect and appreciation he has shown for his carefully selected staff team. I am his number one fan because he is known to provide horses to students from time to time, including Canadians! I am his number one fan because he is known to invest in horses being shown in other sports, including by Canadian riders. I am his number one fan because some of the most amazing photographs published of him are taken by his wife.” Pony Team USA Drives to Team and Individual Bronze Medal at the 2011 FEI Pony Driving World Championships Chef d’Equipe Chester Weber (far left) with Pony Team USA at the 2011 World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica, Slovenia. (Photo courtesy of Marie de Ronde-Oudemans) Lipica, Slovenia (September 30, 2011) – The United States’ reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the sport of combined driving just got stronger thanks to a stellar performance at the 2011 FEI Pony World Driving Championships. After the marathon, the US Pony Team was placed third and they defended that finish through the cones, bringing home the Team Bronze Medal. Their total of 402.3 earned them the medal behind Germany with a 359.4 and The Netherlands with a 375.4. Suzy Stafford, who was competing as an individual for the United States, brought home her second consecutive Individual Bronze Medal after a brilliant cones phase boosted her from fourth to third. Stafford won an Individual Bronze Medal in Germany in 2009 and an Individual Gold Medal at the 2005 World Pony Driving Championships in England. Chef d’Equipe Chester Weber was pleased with the US Teams’ successes. “The single Pony and Pony Pairs and pony teams all put in excellent performances here in Lipica,” Weber stated. “Team Bronze is a fantastic achievement for the Pony Team, and is highlighted by Stafford’s Individual Bronze Medal. The Pairs Team also had a great show, and both Teams gained invaluable experience showing and training on the international level.” Weber, who finished second in the FEI World Cup Standings this year for Four-in-Hand Combined Driving, also served as Chef d’Equipe for the Pony Team in 2007 and 2009, and this was his first year as Chef for the Pairs Teams. Weber is a seasoned international competitor in the Four-in-Hand, and returned to the States to win the US Four-in-Hand Reserve National Championship. While competing in Europe he was mentored by the US Four-in-Hand Chef d’Equipe, Ed Young. “I have been working with Ed since 2006, and with Michael Young, the Team Coach, since 1998,” Weber said. “We were determined to use our knowledge and experience to improve the US Pony and Pairs Teams, and I think we did just that. My hopes were that we could create a medal finish for the US while exposing our drivers to the sport at the highest level and increasing their depth of experience. Clearly the standings for both Teams and Suzy Stafford medaling in the individual competition are a mark of our success.” For more information on the US Pairs and Pony Team and results from Lipica, visit http://usefnetwork.com/featured/2011DrivingWorldChampionships/. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com. For more information contact: James Fairclough, Josh Rector and Chester Weber Set to Drive at The Laurels at Landhope Chester Weber shows his winning form in the Four-In-Hand competition at the Riesenbeck CAI. Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber. Lexington, KY – Three Americans – James Fairclough, Josh Rector and Chester Weber – will be among the best drivers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico to gather in Kennett Square, PA, tomorrow through Sunday for the 25th Anniversary Laurels at Landhope International Combined Driving Event, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the U.S. At the FEI-recognized event in a beautiful country setting just 40 miles from Philadelphia, drivers will compete in a series of three events with combinations from single horses and ponies to four-in-hands. The “Laurels” features competition in Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced divisions, with the signature event the U.S. National Four-In-Hand Championship – a driving competition for teams of four horses. James Fairclough first made history at the 2002 FEI World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, as part of the group that won the Team Silver medal. Prior to this, the best finish the U.S. had ever garnered at a Four-In-Hand World Championship was fourth place in 1984 and 1986. Fairclough (Newton, NJ) has represented the U.S. at the Four-In-Hand World Championship seven different times between 1980 and 2002. 2010 was a stellar year for Fairclough – he started with a second-place win at the Little Everglades CDE and ended with a Team Silver medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. |
