Chester Weber's classy veteran Dutch Warmblood Jamaica, was honored in a retirement ceremony on Sunday at the Live Oak International CAI.

Now 20, the flashy bay gelding made a prolific rise to the world stage and was part of Chester Weber's Silver medal-winning four-in-hand team from the 2008 FEI World Four-in-Hand-Championships. Jamaica was initially bought to be a tourist carriage horse, rescued on his way to the slaughter house. He made it clear right away that the patience required for this job wasn't for him. It was this tenacity and strength of character that made him the star of Weber's string. He was honored by the entire equestrian community for his achievements in 2008 when he was named the Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year.

He was a member of seven USEF National Championship efforts for Weber, and Weber's career flourished with Jamaica as part of his team.

"Jamaica has had a huge impact on my international and national driving career," said Weber. "His difficult nature has often taught me that one has to approach challenges with creativity and persistence. While active in our barn we never stopped learning about him and how to create a win-win partnership."

Jamaica will live out his retirement at the Webers' Live Oak Stud in Ocala, FL, sharing his opinions with a field full of other retired driving and race horses.

ENDS

Please contact Joanie Morris at [email protected] for more information.