Articles: Press Release
Weber Sets Record with Seventh Straight USEF National Four-in-Hand Driving Championship
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Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 4, 2009
By Joanie Morris
Lexington, KY It wasnt easy, but Chester Weber never wavered and netted his
seventh straight USEF National Four-in-Hand Driving Championship at the
Kentucky Cup and Lexington Driving Classic. Webers win also bodes well for
the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, as this event served as the
test event for next years WEG also to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Weber beat long time teammate Tucker Johnson (and another driver going for a
record seven wins) by 10 points, but the rivalry challenged Weber all
weekend.
Tucker made me work really hard for this, said the winner after adding 2.30
penalties in the Cones.
Australian driver Boyd Excell proved he will be a force to be reckoned with
in 2010 as he split the American pair in the overall standings with the team
American Keady Cadwell hopes to drive next year.
Historically Weber finds the Cones the most challenging of the three phases
and felt the pressure Sunday, but he never flinched, even though he had a
very fresh horse on his team for the finale.
Jamaica, the 2008 Farnam/USEF Horse of the Year is 18 this year and sat out
the first two phases, a decision that meant for a good feeling left wheeler
on Sunday.
Jamaica was at the left wheel and was very difficult, said Weber. He must
have been too fresh from not running the marathon. I guess that is what I
get for trying to save an 18-year-old.
An emotional Larry Poulin retired from the sport on the highest of high
notes he wired the Pair Horse Championship field in an immaculate
performance.
I made it through the sport and finished on top, said Poulin simply after
his win. Its not all about me it is about my horses. It has been five years
for them to be here,
Poulin comes from a family of prolific dressage riders, a sport he will
return his focus to now that he is hanging up his carriage.
The 2009 National Championships also draws Suzy Staffords pony, Courage to
Leads, career to a close. On the strength of an amazing marathon
performance, the were 10 points clear of dressage winner Shelley Temple.
I wanted her to go out a champion, said Stafford, a two-time Individual
medalist at the last two World Championships.
A new face won the Single Horse Championship, as Fritz Grupe maintained the
lead he commanded on the first day despite the fact that his horse has only
been driven as a single three times.
The National title made the four day trip from California easier to bear.
Its great to be here in KY and to get a medal, said Grupe. I was scheduled
to be on a fishing trip in Alaska, but he was driving so well I decided to
come. It is encouraging to know those of us from the West are competitive.
Grupe won his championship by just more than five points, making this the
closest of all the FEI classes.
There were two other titles defended at the 2009 USEF National Driving
Championships,
In the Pony Champs, Tracey Morgan and Lisa Stroud both extended their
streaks, sweeping the Pairs and Team Championships respectively. Both
popular drivers won by very comfortable margins.
ENDS
For complete results, please see:
http://www.alltechfeigames.com/content.aspx?id=3136
To view Chester Webers win:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/videos/watch/1284697793.aspx
For photos, blogs and videos, please visit:
http://www.clubequestrian.com/coverage/kentucky_cup_driving_2009.aspx
Please contact Joanie Morris at jmorris@usef.org with questions.
Additional reporting by Kathy Meyer.
The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide
leadership
for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the
pursuit
of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a
foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare
of its human and equine athletes.
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