By Wendy Wares-Cooke

Lexington, VA - Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida bested a field of five international drivers to win the CAI-B Oak Hill, October 8-9. Weber was named the USEF National Four-in-Hand Champion for 2005, and won his third consecutive Vanderbilt Trophy from the USET Foundation. Reserve Champion was James Fairclough of Newton, New Jersey.

"As someone who thinks you make your own luck, I feel that this third straight championship is clear evidence that team work and a sound plan make the dream work," Weber said. "Thanks to Michael Freund, Olof, Taz, Michiel, Emma, and the recent addition of Madeline, we have been able to achieve our goals."

A dressage score of 36.05 gave Weber a commanding lead over his fellow drivers by 21.34 points. Friday's downpours and Saturday's intermittent showers left the hilly marathon course a greasy mess, which was the cause of numerous eliminations. However, the Live Oak Plantation entry stayed its course, and Weber lengthened his lead to 36.45 points over his closest challenger, James Fairclough.

With Teo Timmerman of Holland being eliminated on Saturday, and Jim Richards of Atlanta, Georgia withdrawing from Sunday's competition, the CAI-B and contest for the National Championship was down to three drivers. Weber and his team of Dutch and German Warmbloods were not to be denied. Completing the cones course with 8.50 penalties, Weber secured his USEF Gold Medal win for the 2005 National Four-In-Hand Championship with a final score of 115.68.

USEF Silver Medal and Reserve National Champion was James Fairclough with a total score of 155.63. USEF Bronze Medal winner was Gary Stover with a score of 206.46.

For more information, please contact Sarah Lane, Public Relations Manager, on (859) 225-6974 or via e-mail at slane@usef.org. USEF press releases can be found on our website, www.usef.org .