Tag Archives: Laurie Astegiano

US Eyes Victory at the Saumur CAIO4*

Chester Weber on his way to a win in Saumur last year (Photo Courtesy of Chester Weber)

Saumur, France – The United States has fielded an exciting team for this week’s Saumur CAIO4*, which will run June 5-9, in Saumur, France. Chester Weber, Lisa Stroud, and Misdee Wrigley-Miller have their sights set on top Team and Individual placings in Four-in-Hand competition, while Laurie Astegiano will represent the U.S. as an Individual in the Pony Team division.

Weber (Ocala, Fla.) heads to Saumur on strong form after claiming victory at the Royal Windsor Horse Show two weeks ago. He will look to display the form that has earned him 11 National Four-in-Hand Titles, as well as multiple World Championship Team and Individual medals, over the weekend.

Stroud (West Grove, Penn.) has vast experience in the Pony Team ranks, having garnered nine National Titles and Team and Individual World Championship medals. In 2014, she has stepped up to the Four-in-Hand ranks and spent the last few months competing in Europe, contesting the Horst CAI3* and the Windsor CAI3*.

Wrigley-Miller (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.), the 2014 Four-in-Hand Reserve National Champion and 2012 USEF National Pairs Champion, also began driving in Four-in-Hand competition this year, having joined Weber and Stroud in Windsor two weeks ago.

Rounding out the U.S. effort in Saumur is Astegiano (Roussac, France), who was the winner of the Pony Team division at last year’s premier French driving competition. As she tries to earn a repeat victory, she will look to display the form that has earned her two Team Bronze medals at the World Championships.

Learn more about the Saumur CAIO4* here: http://www.saumur.org/cai/accueil-gb.html.

Follow the U.S. Driving Team here.

Weber and Astegiano Dominate at Saumur CAI-A4

Chester Weber wins in Saumur (Photo Courtesy of Chester Weber)

Lexington, KY – Drivers from the United States put the world on notice over the weekend in France as they stormed to victory in both the Four-in-Hand and Pony Team divisions at the Saumur CAI-A4. Chester Weber cruised to victory in a world class Four-in-Hand division, finishing on a three-day total of 128.5, while in Pony Team competition Laurie Astegiano ended on an overall score of 145.93 to earn her first Saumur victory.

Weber (Ocala, FL) demonstrated why he is a nine-time USEF Four-in-Hand National Champion and two-time FEI Four-in-Hand Driving World Championship Silver medalist with his impressive performance in France. Driving a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, Weber scored 36.22 in the dressage to lead the field of 21 from the very start. He once again dominated on Saturday’s marathon, posting the best score of the Four-in-Hand division, 89.28, to head into the final cones phase the overnight leader. A single ball down in the cones for an additional three penalties meant Weber scored a wire-to-wire victory on a score of 128.5.

Weber will look to continue his success in Europe, as he next heads to Aachen, Germany for the Aachen CAIO-4.

Laurie Astegiano competes at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championship (Marie de Ronde)
Laurie Astegiano competes at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championship (Marie de Ronde)

Astegiano (Roussac, France) has a history of solid performances in Saumur, including a second place finish in 2012, but had not been able to earn top honors until this year. The two-time FEI World Pony Driving Championship Team Bronze medalist grabbed the early lead with her team of ponies winning the dressage phase on a score of 56.26. The following day she placed second on the marathon with a score of 85.56. In the cones phase, Astegiano added just 4.11 penalties to complete the prestigious competition on a score of 145.93 and claim first place honors.

For more information about the Saumur CAI-4A, visit: http://www.saumur.org/cai/accueil-gb.html.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Driving Team here.