Chester Weber Does it Again - USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion for the 18th Time

Chester Weber has been the dominant force in the four-in-hand in the U.S. for years, and he kept his legacy going at the USEF National Four In Hand Driving Championships at the Garden Stae CDE 2021. With his team of KWPN geldings Amadeus, First Edition, Ideaal, Julius V, along with Reno, a gelding of unknown breeding, Weber started the weekend strong with an impressive 37.67 score in the dressage phase. He held his lead through the marathon, and although he was bested by eventual reserve champion, James Fairclough, in the cones phase, Weber’s final score of 145.47 was good enough to maintain the overall lead and take home the championship.

Weber stayed close to home over the past year, focused on working with younger and newer horses to his program with this championship serving as his goal event for the season. When asked how it feels to win an 18th National Championship, he said, “It feels a little better than the 17th!"

“One of our big goals for the program is national titles, so we prioritize that every year and yet again, we were able to get this done,” he added. “Driving has deep roots in New Jersey. It’s where I was introduced to combined driving and it’s nice to be back in the Garden State and competing there. Jimmy and I had some good sport and both of us tried our best.”

Looking ahead, Weber is aiming for a successful outing at the Live Oak International at his home base in Ocala, Fla., next March. After that, he hopes to compete for the 2022 FEI Four-In-Hand World Championship in Italy.