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Breaking NewsCombined Driver Chester Weber Featured
Chester Weber and Horse of the Year Jamaica P
Small Equines A Big Hit
Choice of Champions International
Combined Driver Chester Weber Ends Year
Combined Driver Chester Weber Featured in World-Renowned Equestrian Photographer Gabriele Boiselle Calendar2010-01-22 World-renowned equestrian photographer Gabriele Boiselle has captured the bond between Combined Driver Chester Weber and his animals, and the tender moment is being preserved in one of Boiselle’s 2010 calendars. The photo captures Chester Weber holding his wife’s Miniature Schnauzer, Steffi, standing with his equine partner Jamaica. The expressive photo appears in Boiselle’s 2010 Combined Driving (or Fahren, German for ‘four-in-hand’) calendar.
Boiselle has spent almost three decades traveling and photographing horses around the globe, sharing her images with her fans through calendars, books, DVDs, an online photo archive and live photoseminars. Her company, Edition Boiselle, is based in Speyer, Germany, near Frankfurt.
For 2010, Boiselle has created 24 different wall calendars, including the calendar featuring Weber and other combined drivers. “For many years I have personally been so fascinated by carriage driving and in particular by the four-in-hands that I actually traveled to the USA to take photographs at the special Live Oak competition,” Boiselle said, adding that each of the breathtaking pictures tells an individual story.
Weber’s story is well known to his fans, and ranges from his unprecedented success in the combined driving world to representing the USEF as an Equestrian of Honor. Weber’s fans aren’t quick to forget about Jamaica, either, Weber’s equine teammate who was rescued from a slaughterhouse before becoming part of Weber’s winning team. Jamaica’s rags-to-riches story included being named the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year.
“I am honored to appear in Gabriele’s calendar. She took the photo during the Live Oak International competition last March,” said Weber, the seven time USEF National Four-In-Hand Driving Champion. “Gabriele is a gifted photographer.”
While Boiselle photographed Weber in a “still” moment, the determined combined driver isn’t one to stand idle for too long. Weber’s plans for 2010 include defending his USEF National Four-In-Hand Driving Championship for an eighth time and representing the United States at the World Equestrian Games. Weber’s calendar companions will be along for the ride, as Weber plans for Jamaica to be part of his competitive team during 2010. According to Weber’s wife, My Elisabeth, their dog Steffi will also take part in Weber’s 2010 successes as Steffi accompanies Weber to his combined driving competitions in the US and in Europe.
For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com. For more information about Boiselle and her photography and calendars, visit her US Web site at www.boiselleusa.com. Top Chester Weber and Horse of the Year Jamaica Photographed by Internationally Known Equine Photographer Barbara Bower2010-01-14 Jamaica and Chester Weber, the well-known record-setting horse and combined driver, made headlines in 2009 not only for winning the United States National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Championship for the seventh time but also for Jamaica’s rags-to-riches story of being rescued from a slaughter house before joining Weber’s team. The bond between Weber and Jamaica is deep, and thanks to the photography skills of internationally known equine photographer Barbara Bower, their partnership has been captured on film for the enjoyment of equestrian fans everywhere.
Bower, who traveled to Weber’s Live Oak Stud in Ocala for the photography session, said she enjoyed watching the relationship between the famous duo. “Photographing Chester and Jamaica was very easy. You could tell that there was a very strong bond between them, of mutual respect and compassion,” Bower said.
In addition to being known as a rescue horse, Jamaica is also known for his quirky personality and temperament. Bower said it was easy to see that Jamaica, who was named the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year, enjoyed being in the limelight. “Jamaica knew he was a star and I could tell how much he appreciated the attention he receives,” Bower said. “He is also very curious and was wondering what I was doing there. While walking down the road he turned around to see what I was doing behind him. You could almost here him ask the question.”
Bower said she is pleased with the photos of Chester and Jamaica and hopes his fans also enjoy them. “The story behind Jamaica being rescued really makes the relationship between Chester and Jamaica even more unique,” Bower said, adding that combining her two passions of photography and animals is her greatest joy.
While their images have forever been captured on film, Weber is intent on continuing to make headlines and break records. Weber’s goals in 2010 include winning the United States National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Championship for an eighth time and competing in the 2010 World Equestrian Games. Weber plans for Jamaica to join him in both competitions, just as he did at all seven national championships and at WEG in 2002 in Spain and in 2006 in Germany.
For more information on Weber and Jamaica, visit their Web site at www.chesterweber.com. For more information on Bower and her photography, visit her website at www.equineartistrybybarbara.com. Top Small Equines A Big Hit During Small World Showcase At SUCCEEDŽ USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser2010-01-06 A group of little equines put on a big show at the SUCCEED® USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser in Wellington recently, treating spectators to a Small World Showcase featuring American Shetland Ponies and American Miniature Horses. The Holiday Gala, held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, starred some of the biggest names in the equestrian world, offered fun demonstrations, team competitions, holiday surprises and silent and live auctions that raised money for the USET Foundation.
The Small World Showcase wowed the crowd with an array of Miniature Horses driving carriages, including United States National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion Chester Weber who drove Santa Clause into the ring in a sleigh pulled by four perfectly matched miniature reindeer. The reindeer were actually Miniature Horses owned by Linda Kern of Caribbean Dreams Miniature Horses in Loxahatchee, Florida, and Santa Claus was none other than USEF President David O’Connor.
“The crowd was thrilled when Chester drove David O’Connor into the ring. Chester is always so supportive if the USET and it was great that he took time out of his busy schedule to attend the event. The Miniature Horses and Shetland Ponies that took part in the gala were the talk of the town, it was a great event,” said Johnny Robb, Director of Marketing for the American Shetland Pony Club and American Miniature Horse Registry (ASPC/AMHR).
In addition to the displays of carriages driven by minis, the 2009 Grand National Champion Classic Shetland Stallion Pan’s Phantom of the Opera also appeared. Bruce Ekstrom and Chuck McAllister, of Tuigpaarden Farm in Ocala, also did a driving presentation with two high stepping American Show Ponies. “Chuck’s ponies really wowed the crowd. The American Show Ponies created quite a buzz with all of their flash and high stepping,” Robb said.
Highlife Farms, home to World Class Sport Horses and one of the country’s most prominent breeding farms, donated a Miniature Horse named Highlife’s Silver Belle to the gala’s auction. The pinto mini filly raised $5,000 for the USET. “I believe in what the USET does and I am very supportive of their endeavors. I donated the mini filly to the auction to help with the fundraiser and the future of the USET,” said Joan Sims, owner of Highlife Farms in Orlando.
“The gala was a great place to introduce our small equines to a whole new audience we owe a special thanks to all the members of the ASPC/AMHR who participated with their small equines, including Linda Kern from Caribbean Dreams and the miniature members of the Florida Whip,” Robb said.
For more information on small equines, visit their Web site at www.shetlandminiature.com or call (309) 263-4044. Top Choice of Champions International Sponsors Hackney Horse and American Show Pony at Tuigpaarden Farms2010-01-06 Choice of Champions International, a company that specializes in producing supplements designed to aid sport horses, is now sponsoring two world champions — a Hackney Horse and an American Show Pony at Bruce Ekstrom and Chuck McAllister’s Tuigpaarden Farms. The two high-stepping equine are the first of their breed to receive a sponsorship from a major corporation.
“I am more than pleased about the sponsorship,” Ekstrom said. “Choice of Champions has entered a whole new market by sponsoring breeds that haven’t acquired sponsorships in the past. The Hackney Horse, now a listed endangered species has, in the past hundred plus years, had a most profound effect on the improvement of other breeds. Thus, in an attempt to save this honorable Breed, we have been campaigning our horses nationally. Our Hackney horse stallion, Halstead’s Viking has been undefeated, since using Choice of Champions products.” Ekstrom added.
In addition to the sponsorship of Halstead’s Viking, Choice of Champions is also sponsoring the double registered American Show Pony and American Hackney Pony, Seamair All That Glitters. This mare is the reigning World Grand Champion Harness American Show Pony and The National Shetland Pony Congress ASPR Harness Champion,” said Ekstrom, whose Tuigpaarden Farms has locations in Ocala, Florida and Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Ekstrom added, “Glitter is also the first pony to have won both of these open titles being shown by the same amateur adult in the same year. To top this off she garnered the Amateur Gentleman’s Harness Pony Stake at the Illinois State Fair, thus, creating a triple crown for this 47” equine.”
Halstead’s Viking and All That Glitters maintain an active show schedule and Ekstrom said that is why he relies on Choice of Champions’ Ulser Shield, a supplement that promotes the horse’s digestion and nutrient absorption. Ulser Shield is an acid suppressant, mucosal protective and top dressing for horses prone to ulcers. “The product helps with horses that are being shipped a lot. Just like people that get stressed when they travel, so do horses. The Ulser Shield keeps them on a more routine regime so they will perform at their peak,” Ekstrom said.
The newly sponsored horses also use Lung Aid from Choice of Champions, a comprehensive conditioner for the lungs that promotes equine respiratory health. Lung Aid contains vitamins and antioxidants designed to help horses fight off infections, increase endurance, increase lung capacity, and boost the immune system. “It also helps competitive horses recover faster from intensive training and competing and that was what Bruce was looking for,” said Allyn Maix, President of Choice of Champions.
Maix added that she is pleased to sponsor the two world champion horses. “I used to show Morgans and I have a great affection for driving horses,” Maix said. “Bruce and Chuck are also dedicated to producing world champions and for providing the best possible care for their horses. It is perfect sponsorship match for Choice of Champions.”
Many world class Choice of Champions clients utilize a three-phase supplement regime from Choice of Champions, which includes using Super Joint Solution, Ulser Shield and Lung Aid. Super Joint Solution is a unique liquid that repairs joint damage and is absorbed right into the horse’s mouth. It helps horses stay free of soreness and stiff joints in all part of their bodies. “The Super Joint Solution has a very high milligram content of a complete combination of things beneficial for joints. Many horse owners have found they no longer have to inject thanks to Super Joint Solution,” Maix said.
Choice of Champions International, co-owned by Maix and Sylvia Firestone, is based in Wellington, Florida, and produces a full line of supplements designed to fit the needs of a variety of horses that compete in many different disciplines. Maix encourages horse owners, riders and trainers to try their products, and free samples are available by visiting the Choice of Champions website at www.choiceofchamps.com or calling 1-800-868-1077. Top Combined Driver Chester Weber Ends Year By Helping To Raise Money For USET2009-12-31 Chester Weber is well known for supporting the equestrian industry, and the seven-time United States National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving Champion finished up 2009 by donating time to the SUCCEED® USET Holiday Gala Fundraiser in Wellington. Weber drove a four-in-hand matching team of Miniature Horses into the ring during the gala, bringing in USEF President David O’Connor who was dressed as Santa Clause.
“I believe in supporting the USET and the USEF and am always happy to do my part,” said Weber, 2008 USEF Equestrian of Honor. “The gala was a wonderful event and a lot of money was raised which will help equestrians in a variety of disciplines.”
During the gala, Weber also offered a “day of training with Chester Weber” that was auctioned off to raise money for the USET Foundation. Bruce Ekstrom, a world champion driver of Hackney Horses, Hackney Ponies and American Shetland Ponies, bought the package for $2,000.
“Bruce is also an avid supporter of the equestrian community and I am sure we will have a great day training together,” Weber said. “Bruce has a lot of small equines which are really fun to drive, just like the team I drove at the gala that belong to Linda Kern of Caribbean Dreams Miniature Horses.”
The goal-oriented Weber is now looking toward 2010, and has his sights set on winning an unprecedented eight U. S. National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving title as well as participating in the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. A veteran of two prestigious World Equestrian Games, Weber is ranked Number One on the USEF Selectors Committee WEG Four-In-Hand list. “I feel honored to be at the top of the ranking list. I interpret the pole position as us being on the right track with regards to the selectors opinion,” Weber said.
Despite his ranking, Weber’s goal is to turn Team Weber into a stronger more competitive team in the New Year. “Our goals are to try to win two medals at WEG and in order to realize those goals we will have to continue to step our game up,” he said. “We have added two new horses in the stable, two new staff members and several sponsoring partners that all show encouraging potential to make us stronger as a team than we have ever been.”
For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com. Top 
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