Live Oak International – Ocala’s Chester Weber wins 20th championship title

The weather was a bit dicey during this year’s Live Oak International, but even a few rain showers couldn’t dampen the excitement for onlookers or the high spirits of the competitors.

A highlight of the event was when Ocala’s own Chester Weber clinched his 20^th USEF Four-in-Hand Horse National Championship title. His winning team of horses included Amadeus, First Edition, Julius V and Kadora.

“I’m very pleased with the team of horses as they presented themselves well throughout the tournament.  This is the first time that this group has competed together. I’ve had all the horses individually at different shows as we were trying to determine our best mix for going to Europe this year,” Weber said in a news release. “A lot of hard work and dedication has gone into these 20 Championship titles. We’ll stay focused and work towards championship title number 21. We have next year’s World Championships in our sights, and I’m excited for the team’s potential.”

The 32nd annual Live Oak International again showcased combined driving and show jumping competition and attracted some of the best drivers and riders in the world. The event was the last leg before the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in April.

Live Oak International took place March 16-19 at Live Oak Stud, west of Ocala. The event is organized by co-presidents Weber and his niece Chloe Reid, who is a member of the U.S. Show Jumping Team.

Among the winners of the event, according to news releases, were:

• Taylor Bradish won the cones phase in the FEI 3* Single Horse, with Leslie Berndl in second place and Catherine Levasseur in third.
• Jacob Arnold took first in the FEI 3* Horse Pair cones phase, with Gabriele Grasso in second and Paul Maye in third.
• Andre Thieme won the CSI 4*-W $222,600 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Ocala presented by Lugano Diamonds. Taking second was Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso and in third was Santiago Lambre.
• The $5,000 EPIC Insurance Group Leading Lady Rider Award was presented to Nicolette Hirt, who accumulated the highest number of points over the three days of show jumping competition.
• The Anna Klose Leading Owner Award was presented to Johan Sebastian Gulliksen.
• The $5,000 Leading Rider Award went to Andrew Thieme for posting consistent results throughout the competition.
• Aaron Vale took home the win in the CSI4*$55,000 Longines Grand Prix Qualifier 1.55m speed class. Will Simpson finished second and Daniel Coyle placed third.
• Simpson took the win in the CSI4* $5,000 Welcome 1.40m Power & Speed, with McLain Ward in second and Coco Fath in third.
• Tori Corts took home the win the CSI1* $2,500 Waldron Private Wealth Welcome 1.30m Power & Speed class, with Sophia Ayers finishing second and Jordan Coyle in third.
• In the Friends of the Tournament Youth Driving Division, Ashton Maye took the top spot in the 12 and under dressage phase. First in the 13–16-year-old group was Alexia Guillemette.
• The Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital Intermediate Driving Dressage Pony Single was won by Denise Loewe, with Sarah Reitz in second.

For the complete list of winners, go to longinestiming.com/equestrian/2023/live-oak-international-ocala