Top Drivers Go Head-to-Head in Kentucky Cup Driving Competition.

Chester Weber Maintains His Lead After Marathon

Lexington, KY – October 5, 2009 –   Chester Weber of Ocala, FL, is one step closer to victory in the 2009 Kentucky Cup test event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games—and a record 7^th USEF National Championship.   

Weber was in the lead after the first day of competition, the dressage phase, and maintained his lead in the overall standings with a two phase score of 129.05 after the Marathon.

“This track is going to be wonderful for next year,” said Weber. “The obstacles are well constructed, super horse friendly and positioned so that the spectators will be able to see all the action. My horses did extremely well today. In fact when I came off #4 (Mick’s Mountain) going down the hill, I thought I was in Europe.”

Tucker Johnson, Hobe Sound, FL, remains in second place behind Weber after the second day of competition. His marathon score of 93.42 was just enough to keep him in that spot with a total of 135.40.

Boyd Exell, from Australia, was in third place behind Weber and Tucker Johnson for the Kentucky Cup title after dressage, and even though he turned in the fastest Marathon performance, he fell a little short in catching the leaders.  He finished the day with a Marathon score of 88.04 and a two phase total of 135.91.

Mike McLennan, Brenham, TX, made a big move in the Marathon phase with his homebred Quarter Horse/Friesian crosses. Standing in 6^th place after dressage with 63.36, he managed to move within striking distance of the leaders by posting a 92.55 score for the Marathon. 

“The heavy ground was a little difficult for my horses,” commented McLennan. “Coming from Texas we are used to something different, especially since we haven’t had rain for two years. But we only lost one shoe out there and somebody found it, so we are ok. The course was great – you can’t get any better than that.”

The Cones phase, to be contested on Sunday afternoon, will decide the Kentucky Cup and who will be the next US Four-In-Hand National Champion. With both 1^st place Weber, and 2^nd place Johnson both standing at six National Championships each – the competition should be intense.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games are the world championships of eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale. HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan is the current president of the FEI. The Games are held every four years, and this will be the first occurrence in the United States. The Games run for 16 days in 2010, Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, October 10. 

The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million, and other current sponsors include Alltech, Rolex, John Deere, Ariat International, Inc. and UK Healthcare. 

For more information on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and for full results and start orders for this test event, please visit www.alltechfeigames.com.