Gladstone, NJ-September 22, 2003-Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, emerged victorious in the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Four-in-Hand Championship at the Gladstone Driving Event in Gladstone, NJ, September 19-21.

At the Event, held at Hamilton Farm Golf Club and Equestrian Center, home of the USET Headquarters and Olympic Training Center, Weber won the dressage phase of competition with a score of 39.36 penalties. He placed second to Tucker Johnson of Hobe Sound, FL, in the marathon, scoring 100.34 penalties to Johnson's 99.83. Weber had a clear cones round to clinch the win with a final score of 139.70 penalty points.

James Fairclough of Newton, NJ added pressure to Johnson's hold on the Reserve Champion title by going clean in cones. Unfortunately, Johnson had two balls down, giving Fairclough the Reserve Champion title (9th time), as Johnson dropped to third place.

Weber was a member of the United States' Silver Medal Four-in-Hand team at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Spain. His win at the Gladstone Driving Event was Weber's first in a USET Four-in-Hand Championship. He won the USET Pair Horse Championship in 1996 and 1998.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.