OCALA, Fla.--Chester Weber thrilled a large gallery of spectators with an impressive marathon performance at Live Oak International to win the Four-in-Hand Marathon on Saturday, March 5.
Chester Weber on the MarathonOn the same day, the second last to go in the jump off, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle rode Ivory TCS to catch Ireland's Bertram Allen on EmmyLou who had been leading in the $37,000 Live Oak International CSI4* World Ranking Class.
Weber completed the FEI Four-in-Hand course of seven hazards with his team First Edition, Goveneur, Amadeus, and Ideaal with a total score of 152.02 to win on his home turf once again.
“The sun was out, and it was a perfect day for the Marathon at Live Oak International,” said Weber. “My horses and team performed at the top of their game, and it all came together. Live Oak International is an exceptional Marathon as the cheers and spectator support make being on course extremely special.”
WITH A lightning-fast time of 34.32 in the jump off, Coyle, a familiar face at Live Oak International having won at the tournament in 2020. won the $37,000 World Ranking Class.
“I was delighted Ivory TCS was able to win today. It’s always brilliant to go to a competition with confidence especially when you are working with animals. I won the World Cup qualifier at Live Oak International in 2020, the last time I was here, so that obviously puts on a little more pressure,” said Coyle. “I own this horse with Ariel Grange, which is cool for me. When I walked the course at first, I said this isn’t going to be so easy. It’s always tough to beat the clear rounds in front of you, and today that was Bertram. Bertram is always very fast in the jump off so if he is in the lead, you’ve got to pull something out and do something good.”
Allen was second on EmmyLou with a time of 35.58 and Germany’s Andre Thieme was third on Conacco with a time of 37.10.
The CSI1* division continued with Bull Run’s Jireh ridden by Kristen VanderVeen winning the CSI1* $5,000 Classic Champion Grand Prix with a time of 34.72.
“Bull Run’s Jireh is a new horse that I have only had for a month or so, and I have only done two shows before this. With the atmosphere here at Live Oak International I was really pleased with how he responded today,” said VanderVeen.
Lawson Whitaker was second on Brownies and Cream in 34.98 and Brooke Kemper was third on Eton in 36.14.
The Marathon once again brought out a large crowd of spectators to see drivers navigate each hazard.
The FEI Horse Pair win went to Jacob Arnold with a score of 159.92, and in second was Paul Maye with a score of 178.64.
Taylor Bradish and Katydid Duchess with a score of 144.51 won the FEI Single Horse with Italy’s Gabriele Grasso second with Hendrik and a score 147.26, while third was Carrie Ostrowski and Gellerduht, scoring 156.02.
For the FEI Pony Single Marathon class, Jennifer Keeler did it again with Zeppo with a score of 166.39, having previously won in 2020.
Dana Diemer finished second with Mack the Knife with a score of 174.99, and Deboarah Lawrence drove Top Secret 53 to third.
The FEI Pony Team win went to Mary Phelps with a score of 242.77 and the FEI Pony Pair winner was Katie Whaley with a score of 162.77.
In first for the Intermediate Horse Team was Jean Thornton with a score of 212.31.
Canadian Jerome Drolet was first in the Intermediate Horse Pair was with a score of 198.27 and Janelle Marshall Intermediate Pony Single 125.38.
Andy Marcoux won the Intermediate Horse Single with a score of 144.46 with Margaret Shenker in second with 146.61 and Allison Stroud in third with a score 147.88.
