U.S. four-in-hand driving champion Chester Weber maintained a full schedule at the World Equestrian Festival held July 1-6 in Aachen, Germany. In addition to competing successfully, Weber spent time signing autographs at the Life Data Labs, Inc.®, display.
Fresh off another undefeated year in the United States, Weber traveled to Europe in June to begin preparations for his European tour including CHIO Aachen, CAI-A Riesenbeck July 31- August 3, and culminating with the World Championship Teams competition in Beesd, Netherlands, September 3-5. Weber has not lost any competitions on U.S. soil since 2006. He is also the reigning Four-in-Hand Driving National Champion, a title he has won six consecutive times. His winning ways continued overseas, where Weber won the Time Shuttle prize for dressage at the CHIO Aachen this past week. Dressage is the first phase of the rigorous three-day event. After his win Weber remarked, “It has been a goal of mine for years to win the Time Shuttle prize for dressage. Time Shuttle has sponsored it in Aachen for years and it is now another box checked in my career. Moreover, receiving the yellow quarter sheets and apron in the main arena with more than 40,000 spectators is a feeling that is hard to duplicate.”
Weber earned third-place overall in the Four-In-Hand Combined Driving competition, less than a point behind the second-place finisher. Weber and Tucker Johnson were the only two American Driving competitors at the World Equestrian Festival this year. This made the team competition even more difficult for the U.S. team. Every other country in the Nation’s Cup competition has three entries, allowing for one drop score. The pressure was on Weber and Johnson, who rose to the challenge and earned a third-place finish. The team from the Netherlands won first place, followed by Hungary. Weber remains confident that the U.S. will be successful at the World Championships, saying, “From a Nation’s Cup stand point the Dutch are strong, but I believe we are the only nation capable of beating them due to our strong dressage performances.”
It was not surprising to find Weber signing autographs at the Life Data Labs booth at Aachen. Life Data Labs, Inc. has been a great supporter of Weber’s team for well over a decade. The company produces the well-known Farrier’s Formula® hoof supplement along with a full line of hoof care products and other nutrient supplements. Weber’s drive for excellence ensures that he uses only the best products for his horses. Weber has been using Farrier’s Formula to make certain his horses’ hooves stay in top condition for several years. Signing autographs gave Weber a chance to converse with admirers. He said, “The fans are great! I enjoy asking kids about their horse interests while attempting to create some personal contact with everyone that stops by.”
With the Aachen success to bolster the team, Weber now prepares his team for the CAI-A Riesenbeck in Germany where they have previously had great success. For more information about Chester Weber’s European show schedule visit his website at www.chesterweber.com.