Chester Weber impressed today at Live Oak International with a thrilling win in the Four-in-Hand Marathon and takes one step closer to the Advanced Four-in-Hand USEF National Championship for a record 17th time. Germany’s Andre Thieme rode Cellisto to an impressive victory leading off the jump off of eight riders in the $36,600 Live Oak International CSI3* Longines World Ranking Class.
The Driving Marathon started the day at Live Oak International and didn’t disappoint the sea of spectators that came out and travelled from hazard to hazard 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 today 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.
With a fast time in the jump-off of 35.29, Andre Thieme and Cellisto take the blue ribbon today in the 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 and he went for the win today.
“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 today. “I had a miscommunication with my horse yesterday, but I have a lot of confidence in him and our partnership. Today was business as usual with him” said Adrienne Sternlicht. “I could have left out a stride in two of the lines in the jump-off, but I hadn’t seen anyone go before me. I was very happy with him today.”
Show jumping continues tomorrow with the thrilling $100,000 CSI-W3* Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Ocala. It is the last chance for U.S. riders to qualify for the 2020 Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas so the pressure will be on. Spectators will be in for some excitement.
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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