The Advanced Four-In-Hand National Championship came to a thrilling close this weekend at Live Oak International. Chester Weber captured the Advanced Four-In-Hand National Championship title, while Sarah Batstone-Roberts made history by claiming the first-ever USEF Combined Driving Youth National Championship title with her Chincoteague Pony gelding, Winston.

Advanced Four-In-Hand National Championship

Photo – Team Weber competing in the Marathon Phase at the Advanced Four-In-Hand National Championship at Live Oak International (©US Equestrian/Avery Wallace)

Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) delivered a masterful performance across all three phases of competition to claim the Advanced Four-In-Hand National Championship title at Live Oak International. Weber and his experienced KWPN string set the tone from the outset, posting a dressage score of 32.99 to establish an early lead.

Weber maintained his command through the demanding marathon phase heading into the final day. On the closing day of competition, the combination navigated the cones course to complete the championship on a final score of 159.35, securing the national title.

“Everybody asks if it gets easier, and I think that if you take yourself seriously, you focus on each competition just as much as you did on the previous one,” said Weber after winning his 23rd Advanced Four-In-Hand National title. “We try to always focus on winning national championships and performing in international matters — that’s the mission and vision of our organization. Showing up here and being able to dominate this was an important deal for us, and we have high hopes for what can happen in Aachen at the World Championships this summer.”

Team Weber’s Four-In-Hand team throughout the weekend consisted of:

• Amadeus (Talos x Lion’s Dana International)
• Julius V (Bocellie x Talina)
• Kadora (Manno x Zadora)
• Nico Teusje C (Cizandro x Adjudante Teusje C)
• Despardo (Desperados x Mabella)

Jimmy Fairclough (Newton, N.J.) and his Dutch Warmblood team put in a competitive effort throughout the weekend, ultimately finishing in second place with a final score of 205.98. Fairclough’s team competing over the weekend included Lothario I & S (Emilano x Fabiola), Hendrik (Manno x Boukje), Magic Boy (Eebert x Cristina Burga), Kallee (Delviro x Curiosa), and Kirando (Delviro HBC x Miranda).

Results

Stay Connected 
Keep up with U.S. driving by following USA Driving on Facebook and US Equestrian on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Use #USADriving.