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Raised
on his family's expansive Thoroughbred operation, Live Oak Stud,
Chester Weber came about his love of horses naturally. Consistently
among Florida's leading breeders by the earnings of its Thoroughbred
race horses, Live Oak has been in the Weber family since 1968. The
farm is situated in Ocala, the heart of Florida's horse country
which boasts an abundance of champions in many different breeds
and disciplines.
Surrounded
by the exploits of Live Oak's successful runners, as a child Weber
dreamed of becoming a jockey, although he physically outgrew that
possibility. Soon it became clear that it wasn't the race horses
which stirred his heart and ignited his competitive nature. In the
1980s and early 90s, Live Oak bred and raised quality show Clydesdales.
It was in working with the draft horses that Weber first discovered
his passion was not in the saddle but in the carriage.
With
perseverance and practice, he honed his driving skills, quickly
advancing from showing draft horse teams to the speed and challenge
of combined driving. The Clydesdales initially launched Weber's
driving career, but it has been his stable of top European warmbloods
which has enabled him to compete successfully at the highest levels.
In
addition to a full competition schedule, Weber works diligently
to organize the annual combined driving event, CAI Live Oak, which
is held at the farm every March. One of only two international events
in the United States which is sanctioned by the Federation Equestre
Internationale, CAI Live Oak regularly serves as a USET and Canadian
Equestrian Team selection trial for the various driving divisions.
As one of the country's largest carriage driving events, the show
draws high praise from contestants who travel from around the world
to compete there. The event continues to attract a growing number
of enthusiastic spectators
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