Chester Weber and Robin Groves Win USEF Selection Trials for Driving at Garden State CDE

By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - Chester Weber continued his undefeated assault in the Four-in-Hand Combined Driving division in the U.S. finishing more than 30 points clear of the competition at the Garden State CDE held in Allentown, NJ.

The Ocala, FL driver won his third consecutive Selection Trials for the 2008 World Horse Championships (Four-in-Hand) – to be held in Beesd, Holland September 3-7. Weber’s dressage was spectacular, scoring 37.76, impressing the Ground Jury of Marsoe Larose, Danuta Nowicka, Sem Groenewoud, Debbie Banfield and Shelly Temple. Weber never looked back, putting in his typical professional performance at the Horse Park of New Jersey through Dan Henrickssen’s course.

In the Advanced Single Horse division, Robin Groves jumped up from third place after the dressage, to second after the Marathon and took home the victory by way of a perfect trip through the cones on Sunday. The Brownsville, VT driver drove confidently Thor’s Toy Truck (owned by Lana Wright) after overnight leader Leslie Berndl lost her lead with a disappointing Cones performance. This section also served as a selection for the 2008 World Horse Championships (Singles) to be held in Jarantow, Poland August 28-31.

Other Advanced winners included: Lisa Singer in the Pair Horse Division, Sherri Dolan in the Single Pony, Tracey Morgan in the Advanced Pair Pony and Lisa Stroud in the Pony Four-in-Hand.

The USEF was fortunate to be able to use the Horse Park of New Jersey for training and evaluations for the Single Horses during the week surrounding the event. Heather Walker, the event organizer, generously helped facilitate the use of the Horse Park for the drivers and their horses. This training and evaluation was an important step on the road to Poland.