Back in the US after a very successful European tour, Chester Weber continued his winning ways by driving his team to victory in the Advanced Horse Fours at the Hermitage Classic in Louisville, Kentucky. (PicsofYou.com)
Weber competed Senate, Boy W, Ringo, Boris W and Splash at the Hermitage Classic, held a the Hermitage International Training Center in the Bluegrass State. “I was very pleased with Ringo and Boris and their performance at Hermitage. They are both coming along nicely and have exhibited attributes that show they have more than enough quality to get into the Normandy World Equestrian Games top team,” Weber said.
Weber said he enjoyed Hermitage, his first competition since the World Championships in Riesenbeck. “It was nice to be back on the box seat again,” Weber said, referring to competing on home turf. “The Hermitage event is in its infancy, however, I believe the facility has the potential to be as nice as Riesenbeck.”
Since 2010, the annual Hermitage Classic has featured three days of combined carriage driving competition on the grounds of the historic Hermitage Farm. The competition offers levels from Limit Preliminary to USEF Advanced. Dressage and cones arenas are located on flat fields while the marathon course meanders through the historic farm grounds.
In addition to the beauty of the historic grounds, Weber said he was impressed with the event’s hospitality. “The hospitality element of the competition was on the level of the Live Oak International. Steve Wilson and his family are in the hospitality industry through their investments in the hotel and spirits businesses and it was evident that the know how to host a party,” he said.
Weber, who is known for setting goals and achieving them, said his next stop on the combined driving competition circuit includes the Lexington Classic. “We plan to take the same five horses to Lexington after we take part in a weekend clinic with team coach Michael Freund at Hermitage in Louisville,” Weber said.
As one of America’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber entered unchartered territory earlier this year when he won the USEF Four-In-Hand Championship for the ninth time. Weber is currently competing teams made up of his own horses and horses owned by Jane Forbes Clark. The combined forces of Team Weber and Team Clark has proven to be a brilliant move and a positive step for American four-in-hand combined driving.
For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com.