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Chester Weber Honored at USEF Convention

Team Weber on their way to victory in the CAI-A4 Saumur. (Photo courtesy of PixelVisuel.com)

Ocala, FL (February 3, 2014) – For Chester Weber, the year of the horse is every year.  At the 2014 USEF Annual Meeting in January at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington, his contributions to his sport and equestrian community were recognized, including a televised celebration during Friday evening’s ceremonies on January 10 that saw Weber saluted by his peers as one of America’s Equestrians of Honor for 2013.

Weber was named an Equestrian of Honor and candidate for the USEF Pegasus Awards Equestrian of the Year title after recognition by the USEF with its 2013 Becky Grand Hart Award for international success in a non-Olympic discipline. The nomination stemmed from exceptional performance in the international arena and a dedication to community service and improving the equestrian industry.

The USEF ceremony noted: “Weber added to his legacy in 2013 with a campaign that saw him win at home and abroad. Always regarded for his skill on the first day, he proved his proficiency in Dressage by going undefeated in the phase throughout the year. He started off the season with victories at the Little Everglades CDE and Live Oak International CDE before traveling to Europe where he won the Saumur CAI-4A and Caen CAI-A4. Also in Europe, he produced third-place finishes at CHIO Aachen and CAI Beekbergen. He finished the season earning a tenth USEF Four-in-Hand National Championship at the Kentucky Classic CDE.”

Weber has also been appointed to the new 2014 USEF Board of Directors, following the streamlining of its membership from 54 to 19 individuals, in accordance with amendments to the Federation’s governance structure at the USEF Mid-Year Meeting to create a more agile and efficient organization.

He joins a core of equestrians including USEF president Chrystine Tauber, vice president Ellen Di Bella, and secretary/treasurer Bill Hughes in determining the forward motion of horse sports.

The 10-time USEF National Four-in-Hand Champion, 2012 World Driving Championships Individual Silver and Team Bronze Medalist and 2010 World Equestrian Games Silver medalist has always made time to play a role in the leadership of his sport and has served on numerous boards and committees, but it is his philanthropic side that is perhaps even better known.

In 2001 he purchased Jamaica, a partbred Hackney rescued from slaughter in Holland. When he failed as a Bruges carriage horse, he was purchased by Weber and with the plucky rescue horse in harness, Team Weber went on to collect national titles and a Silver Medal at the 2008 World FEI Championships. Jamaica was named Farnam Platform Horse of the Year by the USEF and, in keeping with his dedication to the equine industry and his horse’s history as a rescue, the Florida horseman donated Jamaica’s Horse of the Year prize — a year’s worth of feed – to local horse rescues in Ocala.

“My commitment has always been to present American horses and horse sport in the best possible light and to lead by example that great horses are everywhere.  Their greatness can be reached through training and care.  Jamaica’s story, from slaughterhouse to medals podium, raised awareness about rescues, which play a big role at our grassroots level.

“I was humbled to have been nominated as an Equestrian of Honor and to be appointed to serve on the Federation’s Board of Directors. It’s a new year and a new chapter, and I am ready,” Weber says, because every year, for him, is a year of the horse.

Follow Team Weber on their road to the 2014 World Equestrian Games at www.chesterweber.com and via Facebook.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139

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