Category Archives: Driving

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, JRPR, USEF

Award-Winning Combined Driver Chester Weber Appears on HRTV Show Filmed at Live Oak Stud

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Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF Combined Driving National Champion, will appear on an HRTV show filmed on location at Live Oak Stud, Weber’s home, in Ocala. (Photo courtesy of Ray Jowers Ocala Digital Art Masters and Camera Club)

Ocala, FL (February 21, 2011) – Television crews and cameras descended on the rolling hills of Live Oak Stud in Ocala recently, to not only film a show about the farms success in the race horse world but to also interview Combined Driver Chester Weber and capture footage of his famous equine teammate Jamaica. While the show will chronicle the success of Weber’s mother, Charlotte Weber, the owner of Live Oak Stud who has solely guided the 4,500-acre Thoroughbred farm for the last four decades, it will also touch on Weber and his achievements in the combined driving world.

Raised on the family’s Thoroughbred operation, Live Oak Stud, Weber dreamed of being a jockey when he was young. At 6’2” he physically outgrew that possibility, so Weber turned his heart and his attention to driving. Weber soon discovered that driving brought out his competitive nature and he fell in love with the speed and challenge of combined driving.

Considered a force to be reckoned with in the Combined Driving world, Weber is the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Driving Champion. He has competed in three World Equestrian Games, was the first American to win the prestigious German Fahrderby at Riesenbeck and he also accomplished what no other American had done before when he won the Individual Silver Medal at the 2008 World Driving Championships.

Continue reading Award-Winning Combined Driver Chester Weber Appears on HRTV Show Filmed at Live Oak Stud →

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, JRPR, USEF

Combined Driver Chester Weber Adds a “Unique Splash” to His Driving Team

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Two new faces welcomed at Live Oak Combined Driving. Splash (left) and Uniek (right) are now part of eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Chester Weber’s Team. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)

Ocala, FL (February 15, 2011) – As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Chester Weber has made history with his team of horses. Now, the highly-successful and decorated driver is adding two new equine teammates to his barn with the goal of increasing the depth and talent of his world-class combined driving team.

Uniek (pronounced unique and called Nick around the barn) and Splash, two bay, 16.2-hand KWPN horses bred in Holland, are now part of Team Weber thanks to the generosity of Jane Forbes Clark, an active supporter of high performance equestrian sports as well as President and CEO of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. “Following the 2010 World Equestrian Games, Jane and I had a long conversation with the U.S. team coach, Michael Freund, and we identified Nick and Splash as two of the most talented horses in the sport,” Weber said. “We were lucky enough that they seem to fit with the group we have going in size and color. Jane had previously leased the horses but when we made the decision to move forward she purchased them.”

Nick and Splash bring international experience to the table, a component that benefits Team Weber. “With these new horses added to my existing team, our goals for 2011 are to prepare ourselves for the 2012 World Championships in Riesenbeck and to continue to insure our preparedness for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in France,” Weber said. “It would also be nice to win a ninth USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Championship.”

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Driving, JRPR

Champion Combined Driver Chester Weber Named to USET Foundation Board of Trustees

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Combined Driver Chester Weber has been named to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Board of Trustees. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (February 9, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF Foundation National Four-In-Hand Driving Champion, has been named to the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Board of Trustees. The USET Foundation supports equestrian athletes, promotes international excellence and builds for the future of equestrian sports.

The eight High Performance equestrian disciplines supported by the USET Foundation are dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, para-equestrian and vaulting. As one of the leading drivers in the United States, Weber’s experience — as well as his passion for promoting his sport — will serve as a benefit to the USET Foundation Board of Trustees.

“Chester and our other Trustees are people that have shown their leadership with the United States Equestrian Team through their involvement as ambassadors in International High Performance activities, and for their charitable support of our United States Equestrian Teams,” said Bonnie Jenkins, Executive Director of the USET Foundation. “We expect that Chester will continue to help us achieve our mission of supporting athletes, promoting international excellence and building for the future.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13232

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Dutch Driver IJsbrand Chardon Has Won Four-In-Hand FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier in Bordeaux

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Chardon went for it all the way in Bordeaux. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

CHARDON IN TOP FORM IN BORDEAUX by Cindy Timmer

Dutch driver IJsbrand Chardon won last night’s FEI World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux in breath taking style. Wild card driver Chardon stayed ahead of Tomas Eriksson in second guaranteeing the Swede the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Werner Ulrich knocked two balls down in the winning round to finish third.

The atmosphere was superb on Saturday evening in the Palais des Expositions in Bordeaux. The drivers put on a perfect show, cheered on by the many enthusiastic spectators and the great music.

Second wild card for Coudry

As in Geneva, French four-in-hand driver Thibault Coudry had been given a wild card to compete in front of his home crowd in Bordeaux. The 30-year old farmer and truck driver drove a good round with his team of Polish warmblood horses and a French trotter. But the competition in Bordeaux was too strong this year for the 2010 winner of the French World Cup leg who ended in fourth.

Battle for Leipzig

Dutch driver Theo Timmerman, Sweden’s Fredrik Persson and Tomas Eriksson and Switzerland’s Daniel Würgler all had a last chance in Bordeaux to claim the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Würgler knocked three cones down in the course, designed by German course designer Falk Böhnisch, to lose his chance for Leipzig. Despite the use of one of Boyd Exell’s top horses Pascal in he lead of his team, Fredrik Persson could not manage to qualify for the Winning Round. By coming sixth, Persson also knew his chances for a starting place in the Leipzig line-up were gone. Timmerman had improved his team compared to the warm-up round, but he finished fifth despite his efforts.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13193

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Disciplines, Driving, Events

Shelly Temple Wins 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Single Pony

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Shelly Temple and Cooper race across the water hazard on their way to winning their 2nd national championship

For the third time, LR Ami B-Line, a Morgan gelding owned, trained, and competed by Shelly Temple, has been named the USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving-Single Pony. Cooper was honored twice previously in 2006 and 2007.

The 2010 HOTY honor capped a successful season for Shelly and her Team Catalyst.  She won the National Championship for Combined Driving Single Pony for the second time in her career. Shelly, Cooper, and Shelly’s husband, Fran Doto, won many combined driving events across the U.S. in a variety of divisions, including:

  • Advanced Single Pony, Laurels at Landhope, Pennsylvania
  • Advanced Single Pony, Iron Horse CDE, Illinois
  • FEI Single Pony, Live Oak International CDE, Florida
  • Preliminary Pair Pony, Pine Tree CDE, North Carolina
  • Preliminary Pair Pony, Katydid CDE, South Carolina

Continue reading Shelly Temple Wins 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Single Pony →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, Vaulting

FEI World Cup Finals Make History in Leipzig

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Leipzig (GER), 4 February 2010 – For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, four FEI World Cup Finals will be held under the same roof. The Rolex FEI World Cup Final Jumping, the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Dressage, the FEI World Cup Final Driving and the FEI World Cup Final Vaulting will all be held in the German city of Leipzig between 27 April and 1 May 2011.

A maximum of 43 riders from 14 qualifying leagues will line out for the Final of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series. And the host nation of Germany, the most prolific winners of the coveted title with eight victories in total and seven of those recorded over the last nine seasons, looks set to challenge strongly once again. Last weekend in Zurich (SUI), defending champion Marcus Ehning recorded the fifth German victory from the nine qualifying legs staged so far in the Western European League. Ehning is one of four riders who have clinched the trophy on three occasions during the 33-year history of this series which, this season, sees 132 qualifying competitions taking place around the globe.

At the Final, the fate of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title is decided over three tough competitions culminating in a thrilling Grand Prix on the last afternoon. It is the ultimate accolade in the sport of indoor international Jumping, and the one they all want to win.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13184

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, JRPR, USEF

Combined Driver Chester Weber Wins “2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses” Title

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Chester Weber won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the recent USEF Horse of the Year awards ceremony in Lexington. (Photo: Jennifer Thompson, DVM)

Lexington, KY (February 3, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber may be in the running for the most decorated Combined Driver in United States history, but he doesn’t just settle for winning awards. Weber is also an extremely active member of the United States Equestrian Federation and in January was elected to serve on the USEF Executive Committee at the USEF National Convention in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Combined Driving is my passion but my passion also extends to promoting and protecting all equestrian sports and serving on the governing body of the USEF,” Weber said, adding that he was thrilled when his team of horses won the 2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses title during the convention in Lexington. “It was great to receive recognition in front of all of our sport horse peers.”

Weber’s horses that made up the 2010 Horse of the Year winning team included Para, Boy W, Grumus and Horus du Bois. “I am very proud of all of my horses,” Weber said, adding that he wants to thank his entire team, from staff to sponsors, for helping Team Weber win the award.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Wins “2010 USEF Horse of the Year for Combined Driving Four-In-Hand Horses” Title →

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners

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Jane Forbes Clark awards Whitney Stone Cup to Tucker Johnson with Brownlee O. Currey. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception on Friday, January 28, 2011, to honor the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the recipients of the Foundations’ Gold Medal Club Anniversary Awards, the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, and the Whitney Stone Cup. The reception was held at Player’s Club in Wellington, FL.

The reception opened with lovely remarks by Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark, recognizing the efforts of all the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during WEG, as well as their team of supporters. The United States earned a Team and Individual Gold Medal and an Individual Silver Medal in Reining, an Individual Gold Medal in Vaulting, a Team Silver and Individual Bronze Medal in Driving, and two Individual Bronze Medals in Dressage.

The party also recognized members of the Gold Medal Club, the most loyal and generous supporters of the USET Foundation. These individuals have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. Special awards were presented to those supporters recognizing their giving at the Gold Medal Club level for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, Phelps Media Group, World Equestrian Games

Tucker S. Johnson Will Be Honored with the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup from USET Foundation

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Tucker S. Johnson earned the Individual Bronze Medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games during the Four-In-Hand Combined Driving competition. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle.

Gladstone, NJ – January 10, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Combined Driver Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, Florida, is the recipient of the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport. Johnson is a tremendously accomplished driver who helped lead the United States to a Team Silver Medal as well as receiving an Individual Bronze Medal during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

This is the second year that Johnson has received the Whitney Stone Cup, after being awarded the prestigious honor in 2001. Johnson now plans to retire from the competitive sport as he spent 2010 achieving many milestones. Along with other achievements, Johnson guided his Four-In-Hand team to a second place finish at the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

After helping the United States win a Team Silver Medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, Johnson went on to a repeat performance at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. He was a member of the Silver Medal Team and after earning a 150.06 over the three phases of competition he took home the Individual Bronze Medal, achieving his personal best at a World Championship event.

Continue reading Tucker S. Johnson Will Be Honored with the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup from USET Foundation →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, Fundraisers, JRPR, Training/Clinics

Chester Weber Donates “Two Days of Training” at Upcoming “Salute to Driving” USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline

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Chester Weber will donate “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. He is shown here at the 7th US National Championship at the Kentucky Cup. (Photo courtesy of My Elizabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (January 7, 2010) – Combined Driver Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, will donate a package for “Two Days of Training” during the silent auction at the upcoming Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline. Weber will give the winner of the silent auction two days of training with either his or her own horses or with Weber’s horses.

The Salute to Driving USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline is a weekend for all levels to learn and have fun. The event includes two days of Advanced/FEI level and ADS Lower level clinics, a benefit party, Combined Test, plus other various activities to help educate equine enthusiasts from other disciplines. Salute to Driving will be held on Chateau Log Farm and Courage to Lead Farm in Windsor, South Carolina and the Country Dinner Benefit will be held at Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina. The event will take place February 19-21, 2011.

“I am really looking forward to the Salute to Driving weekend and especially offering a package for ‘Two Days of Training’ at the silent auction. I believe the USET is a very worthy cause and the money raised during this weekend will go toward sending the US driving athletes to international competitions,” Weber said. “During the weekend there will be developing drivers clinics given by Larry Poulin and a two-day advanced long listed drivers clinic with Michael Freund, so it should be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

Continue reading Chester Weber Donates “Two Days of Training” at Upcoming “Salute to Driving” USET Fund Raising for the Driving Discipline →