Chester Weber has continued top form at Live Oak International with a thrilling win in the Four-in-Hand Marathon, taking yet another step closer to the Advanced Four-in-Hand USEF National Championship for a record 17th time.
The Driving Marathon started the day at Live Oak International and didn’t disappoint the sea of spectators that came to watch the drivers compete.
The weather cooperated today, and it was a perfect day for the Marathon at Live Oak International”
said Chester Weber.
I couldn’t be happier with the performance that my team put in today. It all came together and with the cheers and support of the spectators and sponsors on course, today was extra special.”
Chester Weber had the fastest time across all seven hazards with his team Julius, Amadeus, Boris and Reno finishing with an impressive score of 113.39. Second to Chester was Canadian Gerben Steenbeek who finished the Marathon with a score of 144.11 and USA’s Paul Maye was third, with a score of 155.90.
Show Jumping
Germany’s Andre Thieme rode Cellisto, to an impressive victory leading the jump-off of eight riders in the $36,600 Live Oak International CSI3* Longines World Ranking Class.
Andre is a familiar face at Live Oak International having not missed a year since show jumping was introduced at the event:
Normally I’m not so quick. I knew the short turns were going to be the decider today and Cellisto is in good shape and has promising scope. I knew I was quick, but I was early in the jump off. The incentive of the NetJets Inc. leading Rider Award $10,000 award helped. I knew if I had a good ribbon today, I’d be a little closer to that.”
Said Andre Thieme.
Ireland’s Bertram Allen took home the second prize on Gun Powder.
This is my first show with this horse and this very exciting. He jumped well yesterday and today the course was lovely. I got close but not close enough” said Bertram Allen.
USA’s Adrienne Sternlicht and Bennys Legacy took the third spot.
FEI Marathon
In first place in the FEI Single Horse Marathon was Taylor Bradish from the USA with a score of 91.12. In second, also from the USA was Suzy Stafford with a score of 93.31 and in third was USA’s Jennifer Thompson with a 97.43.
Defending National Champion Jennifer Keeler from the USA took the win in the FEI Single Pony Marathon with a score of 91.40 and Rebecca Gutierrez took second place with a 95.31. Both from the USA. USA drivers Jacob Arnold took the top prize in the FEI Horse Pair with a score of 102.90 and Robert Burrows took home second place with a score of 153.20.
Katie Whaley from the USA was first in the FEI Pony Pair Marathon with a score of 96.70 and also from the USA, Mary Phelps with a score of 107.57 was second. The Obstacles which is the final phase of the combined driving at Live Oak International will kick off tomorrow morning, March 8 at 8:30 am.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.