The Good HorsePerson: 3/8/09

Friday, March 13, 2009

Star Athlete Profile: Combined Driver Chester Webber

Chester Weber won the four-in-hand division at the Sunshine State Combined Driving Event at the Florida Horse Park last weekend.
I have been admiring Webber since seeing his exhibition at the Washington International Horse Show in D.C. last October. The four-in-hand dressage is really something to see...a really impressive example of obedience and submission.

In 2008, Webber became the first American to win an individual medal the Four-In-Hand World Championship, held in the Netherlands. He was also named Equestrian of Honor by the United States Equestrian Federation for dominating most of the combined driving divisions throughout 2008. One of his competition horses, Jamaica, was named 2008 Horse of Honor. Jamaica was a former tourist carriage horse rescued from the slaughterhouse and trained by Webber into a world class combined driving athlete.

Webber intends to qualify for the 2010 Alltech FEI Word Equestrian Games to be held right here in the states at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tickets go on sale beginning September 25, 2009.

Who is The Good HorsePerson?

The Good HorsePerson is the blog of dressage trainer and instructor Amanda Chambers. Amanda has been teaching and training in dressage and basic horsemanship for over a decade. Amanda earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals riding her Appendix Quarter Horse Gotta Love Me, who she trained and rode to multiple regional award wins, including USDF Regional Reserve Champion at Fourth Level, the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions FEI YR Individual Medal and USDF Regional Jr/YR Champion at Intermediare I. Today, Gotta Love Me is still going strong at age 21, competing successfully at Third Level with his amateur owner.

In 2002, Amanda rode the Holsteiner gelding Lombado to wins at both the CBLM and USDF Regional Championships at Second Level. Amanda was also Reserve Champion at Second Level with the Holsteiner mare Izabelle.

From 2004 to 2007, Amanda rode the Thoroughbred gelding Grande Finale (trained by USEF "S" judge Elizabeth Madlener) to year-end high score awards at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Levels. In 2006, Amanda and Grande Finale were Virginia State Champions at 3rd Level and in '07 they were Reserve State Champions at 4th Level. Also in 2007, Amanda rode two other Thoroughbreds who placed in year-end awards at Training and First Level, including Parker's Way, who scored up to 69% at 1st Level and 1st Level Freestyle including a win at First Level, Test 4 in a 15 horse class at a licensed PVDA show. A junior student of Amanda's was Reserve Champion at year end awards at Training Level riding Thoroughbred gelding Alchemist.

In 2008, Amanda rode the Thoroughbred mare Star Style to seven wins at Training and First Level, including High Score of a licensed PVDA show with 73%.

In 2009, Amanda rode the Trakehner gelding Golden Hour (by Happy Hour) owned by Fred & Debbie Ellis and trained by Elizabeth Madlener. Golden Hour won 9 Training Level Open Classes with a high score of 78% and placed 3rd nationally for Trakehners at Training Level.

Amanda holds a B.A. in English Literature from Franklin & Marshall College. When she is not riding, teaching or competing in dressage, she works as a marketing manager and does freelance writing for equestrian publications.