USET Foundation Vice President, Jim McNerney and Chairman, Brownlee O. Currey, presented Chester Weber with the 2015 Whitney Stone Cup Photo Credit: Emily Riden

Wellington, FL – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that No. 1 Driver in the World, Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, is the recipient of the 2015 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport. Weber is currently ranked the FEI No 1. Driver in the World. Winning the Silver Medal at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, and winning at Aachen, Saumur, Windsor, and Live Oak are just a few standouts from Weber’s outstanding list of accomplishments. His win at Live Oak made history by claiming his 11th FEI Four-in-Hand Horse USEF National Championship.

Weber was presented with the award during the USET Foundation Gold Medal Club Reception on January 25th, in Wellington, Florida. “It’s a huge honor,” Weber said. “I’ve been around the Foundation and the sport for many years and I have a great deal of respect for the people that have won it in the past. Looking at the list, it’s very humbling. I could not be prouder of my entire team and the horses for achieving this honor.”

2014 Driving Silver medallist at the Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games Chester Weber. Photo: Mary Phelps

This year Weber fulfilled a personal goal that he has had since he was young. Weber grew up looking up to people who had won at Aachen and had their name permanently on the wall, which very few Americans had done. Weber was the first American to win the Four-in-Hand driving at Aachen and now has his name permanently on the wall just like the people he looked up to while growing up.

An important factor contributing to Weber’s success and winning this award was his supportive team. “I am really proud of the horses and the entire team, from vets to the blacksmiths, everybody for making this happen. I am humbled to be the driver but I see my sport as a real team sport and it takes a village to get this done.”

In 2010, Weber partnered with owner Jane Forbes Clark, creating an unstoppable partnership. “The whole thing is a partnership and Jane always has lots of wisdom,” Weber said. “She has been doing horse sport at the top levels for decades and she really always has great advice when you find yourself in situations that are pivotal. She keeps her eye on what the real goal is, and championships are what she is about, and what we’re about.”

Clark was pleased with Weber receiving the 2015 Whitney Stone Cup award. “I am so happy for Chester that he has been awarded The Whitney Stone Cup,” Clark said. “It is a wonderful tribute to his commitment to great horsemanship, winning, and the United States Equestrian Team!”
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Whitney Stone Cup Winners
The Whitney Stone Cup is awarded in honor of the late Whitney Stone, who served as President and Chairman of the Board of the United States Equestrian Team from 1953 to 1973. Mr. Stone was instrumental in the creation of a civilian equestrian team when the Army retired from competitive horse sports after 1948. Previous Whitney Stone Cup winners are:

1980 – Michael Matz
1981 – James C. Wofford
1982 – Norman Dello Joio
1983 – Melanie Smith (Taylor)
1984 – Carole Grant
1985 – Joe Fargis
1986 – Conrad Homfeld
1987 – Katie Monahan Prudent
1988 – Bruce O. Davidson
1989 – Gregory A. Best
1990 – William Long
1991 – Hap Hansen
1992 – Lana DuPont Wright
1993 – Carol Lavell
1994 – J. Michael Plumb
1995 – Robert Dover
1996 – Anne Kursinski
1997 – Leslie Burr Howard
1998 – David O’Connor
1999 – Valerie Kanavy
2000 – Karen O’Connor
2001 – Tucker Johnson
2002 – Guenter Seidel
2003 – Peter Wylde
2004 – Debbie McDonald
2005 – Chris Kappler
2006 – Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden
2007 – Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden
2008 – Miranda (Randy) Caldwell
2009 – Steffen Peters
2010 – McLain Ward
2011 – Tucker S. Johnson
2012 – Christine McCrea
2013 – Rich Fellers
2014 – Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden