Riesenbeck, Germany - One of the United States' most accomplished drivers, Chester Weber of Ocala, Florida, has become the first American to win the CAI Riesenbeck, one of the most prestigious titles in four-in-hand driving known as the "Fahrderby." He won by a considerable margin despite deep footing in the dressage and muddy footing in the marathon. His final score was 525.10. Peter Tischer of Germany was second with a score of 568.34 and Ludwig Weinmayr of Germany was third with 596.20.

The official results for Riesenbeck can be viewed at http://www.zrufv.riesenbeck.de , click on "Fahrderby."

The Fahrderby format calls for 5 tests, with the two additional tests for pairs. Weber got a comfortable lead in the dressage and was third in the marathon enabling him to hold on to his lead. He then went clear in the cones. "My dressage has been good all year, it's my strong suit, but we were the last starter of over 40 to go in the dressage and the ring looked like a plowed field. Others had difficulty with it but my team handled it," said Weber.

Weber said he believes this win indicates that the United States' driving team should be in contention at CHIO Aachen next week, and at the World Championships in Hungary, August 3rd through the 8th.

Results for the upcoming CHIO Aachen show can be viewed at www.chioaachen.de. The US team to compete in the World Driving Championships in Hungary will be selected after Aachen. The short listed horse and rider combinations for the United States Olympic Dressage and Show Jumping teams will also be competing at Aachen.

ENDS
For more information, please contact Maria Partlow, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications on (859) 225-6941 or via email at mpartlow@usef.org. USEF press releases are available on our web site - www.usef.org.

The United States Equestrian Federation Inc.(USEF), as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

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The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.