Tag Archives: Driving

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Driving, FEI, FEI, JRPR

Suzy Stafford Long-Listed for 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia

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Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered Arabian-Morgan mare Miss Josephine. (Photo courtesy of Meredith Fetters)

Chester County, PA (May 19, 2011) – Gold medalist Suzy Stafford has been long-listed for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half Arabian mare Miss Josephine. Stafford operates her Stafford Carriage Driving facility out of Chester County in Pennsylvania from April to December and is stationed in Aiken, South Carolina from January through April.

“I am very excited that Josephine has been long-listed for the Pony Driving Championships,” Stafford said. “I have owned her since September of 2010 and she doesn’t have quite the show experience that many of the other ponies I have competed had, but she does have the quality and the talent to win. I am confident she will be ready for the World Championships by September.”

Although their partnership is relatively new, Stafford and Josephine have already proven they have the drive to win. The pair won the Reserve National Single Pony Championships at Live Oak International earlier this year and as the most consistent competitors in three selection trials held in Florida, Stafford and Josephine drove away as the winners of the Triple Crown of Driving sponsored by Live Oak International, the Sunshine State CDE and Little Everglades CDE.

Continue reading Suzy Stafford Long-Listed for 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Slovenia →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Stable Scoop Episode 143 by Omega Alpha – She Drives Like the Boys

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Listener Aubrie joins us to share her inspirational story in losing 1/2 her body weight and getting in shape. Plus, Dr. Wendy Ying shares what it is like to be a competitive driver and a fascinating conversation on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine. Listen in…

Stable Scoop Episode 143 – Show Notes and Links:

  • Host: Helena Bee, Glenn the Geek and Jennifer H.
  • Photo Credit: Wendy Ying driving her four-in-hand team
  • Guest: Wendy Ying – visit her website.

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  • Guest: Listener Aubrie Miller on her weight loss and fitness program. Here are her before and after pictures. She went from 200 lbs to 115 lbs. What an inspiration.

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Listen, Download or Subscribe:

*Featured/Spotlights, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Equestrian Assistance, JRPR

Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc.

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Combined Driver Chester Weber is sponsored by Charles Owen, Inc., and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Ocala, FL (May 12, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber has partnered with Charles Owen, Inc. for many years and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving champion, Weber and his team of award-winning horses competed in the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 and helped the U.S. team clinch the Silver Medal.

“Charles Owen has been a proud sponsor of Chester Weber and his team for several years now,” said Danielle Santos, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Charles Owen. “Charles Owen produces top quality safety helmets and body protectors with an impressive appearance that riders and drivers want to wear. Chester and his team are perfect examples of how safety can look stylish and traditional.”

Santos added that Charles Owen seeks to sponsor individuals that not only support the brand, but also give back to their sport and community. “Chester is a perfect example of this,” she said, adding that Weber is not only one of the leading drivers in the United States but is also a passionate supporter of driving as well as an active member of many USEF committees and he serves on the USET Foundation Board of Trustees.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc. →

Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting

Elections and Allocation of FEI Championships and Finals

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Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011 – Carmen Barrera (ESA) and Roberto Luiz Giugni (BRA) were elected chairs of regional groups V and VI respectively by the FEI Extraordinary General Assembly which was held on 6 May 2011 in Lausanne (SUI).

The following FEI Championships and Finals were allocated by the FEI Bureau during its meeting on 5 May:

2012

JUMPING

FEI European Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children, Ebreichsdorf-Magna Racino (AUT), August (exact dates TBC)

DRESSAGE

FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, Bern (SUI), 8-15 July

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, JRPR, Products/Services

Champion Combined Driver Chester Weber Joins Arenus as Official Arenus Ambassador

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Chester Weber is seen here presenting the Arenus Performance and Conditioning Award at the Live Oak International CDE. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

St. Louis, MO (May 5, 2011) – Arenus, a premier provider of innovative health and nutritional products for pets and horses, is pleased to announce that champion combined driver Chester Weber has joined Arenus as an official Arenus Ambassador. As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, Weber has proven to be an unstoppable force in the world of combined driving and most recently won the FEI Horse Team division at Live Oak International, one of the premiere combined driving events in North America.

As the United States’ most decorated combined driver, Weber also holds an illustrious international combined driving record. During the Four-In-Hand FEI World Championships in Beesd, The Netherlands, Weber became the first American to win an individual medal. Weber not only finished first in the dressage phase, but also took home the Individual Silver Medal. In addition to this prestigious win, Weber has been ranked in the top ten internationally since 1999.

Weber, who has driven for the United States in three World Equestrian Games, is pleased to be an Arenus Ambassador. “We have used Arenus products for quite a while and believe they are quite beneficial. We know the Arenus products are ones we can really trust,” Weber said.

Continue reading Champion Combined Driver Chester Weber Joins Arenus as Official Arenus Ambassador →

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Equine Assisted Therapy, Eventing/H.T., Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC

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VTRC's Skippy. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – May 4, 2011 – The Spring Horse Driving Trial at Port Mayaca Polo Club, Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th, will include a charity luncheon to benefit the new driving program at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The Luncheon will be held Saturday the May 14th during the Dressage and Cones portion of the competition in Okeechobee, FL. The competition will begin at 9 am and the luncheon will be served from 12 until 2pm. The competition is similar to 3 day eventing, including dressage, cones which is similar to the stadium jumping portion, and a cross country portion, including obstacles that will be driven on Sunday starting at 9am.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the start up of VTRC’s new handicap driving program. The addition of a driving program will allow the center to meet the needs of people who may not be able to ride but will enjoy the camaraderie of the barn and the excitement of competition. VTRC Director of Development Susan Guinan has been committed to starting a driving program at VTRC for sometime. She began driving in the 1980s, and has competed at Gladstone and Devon and many other shows along the east coast. She continued her driving while living in England and was involved with the RDA driving program. She is pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to VTRC.

Continue reading Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC →

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

Chester Weber’s Biggest Fan Will Win a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience to Train with the Legendary Driver for Two Days in Ocala

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Chester Weber is taking part in the Gift of the Horse website contest and one winner will get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend two days at Live Oak, training with the legendary combined driver. (Photo courtesy of My Elizabeth Weber)

Ocala, FL (May 3, 2011) – In the world of combined driving, Chester Weber stands out above the rest. Now, thanks to a contest being held on the Gift of the Horse website, Weber’s biggest fan can win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend two days on Weber’s Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida, training with the legendary combined driver.

Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion, has joined together with the world’s most recognized and admired horsemen and women to contribute prize packages for their biggest fans. The contest is being sponsored through the Gift of the Horse, a unique and exciting event designed to be fun, interactive, educational and most importantly give back to the equine industry through the generosity of Gift of the Horse sponsors and donors. 100% of proceeds raised through Gift of the Horse will go directly to The American Youth Horse Council which impacts over 400,000 children in programs such as 4-H, National High School Rodeo, Pony Club and most Breed/Youth Organizations.

“Chester Weber is an icon and an inspiration to horse owners of all breeds and disciplines. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Chester perform in person and the thrill and excitement the crowds experience when Chester comes thundering into the ring is unparalleled,” says Jacqueline L. Robbins, President of Equine Publishing, LLC. “He is an asset to Gift of the Horse and it is an honor to have him in the line up of top horsemen that have generously contributed amazing prize packages. Spending two full days with Chester Weber and his team is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13794

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

Boyd Exell Claims Hat-Trick in FEI World Cup Driving Final

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Leipzig (GER), 1 May 2011 – Boyd Exell from Australia has successfully defended his FEI World Cup Driving title in a thrilling finish in Leipzig (GER) to become only the second driver to score a hat-trick of World Cup victories. The popular Australian sped to victory in front of an enthusiastic and ecstatic crowd that packed the Leipzig Messe to capacity. Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz drove two brilliant rounds with his team of Lipizzaner horses to finish second, ahead of IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands.

Happy to be first
Jozsef Dobrovitz was happy to go first in the Final round. In Budapest he had won the warm-up competition but made mistakes in the Final round, so he felt the starting grid Leipzig would favour him. His only goal in the first round was to equal Boyd’s time on the first night and to stay clear as well. Dobrovitz put in an amazing performance to meet both his goals and pile the pressure on his opponents.

No expectations
Second starter IJsbrand Chardon was determined to make up for his mistake on the first night, but his leader horses started pushing against each other in the warm-up arena and there was not enough time left for IJsbrand to fix it. The result was three knockdowns on course, but Chardon kept on driving at such high speed that he finished in a record time of 113.89 seconds, to slot into second behind Dobrovitz. Chardon had no expectations of making it to the Winning Round but Georg von Stein (GER), Werner Ulrich (SUI), Koos de Ronde (NED) and Tomas Eriksson (SWE) all made mistakes, which kept Chardon in second place. After Exell had conquered the course in a fast time despite one knockdown, it was clear that the colourful trio was going to battle it out in the Winning Round.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13776

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

Exell Sets the Tone in Leipzig

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Boyd Exell on his way to victory in the warm up round of the FEI World Cup Driving Final in Leipzig. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

Leipzig (GER) 29 April 2011 – Title defender Boyd Exell from Australia has won the warm up round of the FEI World Cup Driving Final in Leipzig this evening. The current four-in-hand World Champion was the only driver who finished the course in a clear round. Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson came second driving his brand new marathon carriage. Dutch driver Koos de Ronde finished third.

Ring rusty
The competitors were all a bit ring rusty after a break of several months. Some drivers competed in the last World Cup competition in Bordeaux at the start of February; others had an even longer break after the show in Mechelen at the end of December.

Wild card replacement
Home driver Georg von Stein replaced wild card driver Christian Plücker who unfortunately had to withdraw only two days ago because of two injured horses. Plücker had won the special indoor competition at the German Equestrian Centre in Warendorf in February and had herewith claimed the wild card. Von Stein finished second and was therefore the first candidate to replace Plücker. Von Stein had kept on training his horses so it was not difficult for him to prepare his team for his first ever World Cup start. Von Stein finished fifth in tonight’s competition, behind Switzerland’s Werner Ulrich.

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI, Media/Radio/TV Sources, Show Jumping, Vaulting

FEI TV Goes behind the Scenes at Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Finals 2010/2011

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Leipzig (GER), 28 April 2011 – FEI TV’s Phil Ghazala captures the excitement at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Finals in Leipzig (GER) with a fascinating behind-the-scenes reportage featuring interviews with riders, course designer Frank Rothenberger, visits to the stables and some of the 300 trade stands.

Watch it on the FEI’s YouTube channel here.

Fab Four
For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping, Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage, FEI World Cup Driving and the inaugural FEI World Cup Vaulting will take place under one roof in Leipzig (27 April to 1 May), bringing together four world-class disciplines for a fabulous festival of sport.

Live Coverage
Watch high quality, uninterrupted LIVE coverage on FEI TV according to the following timetable (all times are in GMT):

Continue reading FEI TV Goes behind the Scenes at Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Finals 2010/2011 →