A Winner is – Chester Weber, the United States’ most celebrated Combined Driver and the nine-time USEF Four-In-Hand National Champion, is not only a gifted driver but also a driver who consistently takes the sport of Combined Driving to the next level. Chester became the first American to ever win an individual medal at the World Driving Championships in 2008 when he won the Individual Silver Medal in the Four-in-Hand World Driving Championships in Beesd, The Netherlands. He topped his own record again winning the Individual Silver Medal and the Team Bronze Medal at the 2012 Four-in- Hand Driving World Championships at Reisenbeck, Germany.  During his 2012 European tour, Chester was dubbed “ Mr. Dressage” as he dominated the dressage phase at CAI Lahden, CAI Beekbergen and won the dressage at CAIO Aachen with a record-breaking score of 33.54.  He remains undefeated in 2013 on US soil as he once again heads to Europe to take on the best of the best in the world.

A True Team Player- Chester took the sport of Combined Driving to an entirely new level during the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky in October when he proved that he is a world-class competitor whose greatest desire is to see American driving succeed. On the first day of the Combined Driving competition, a standout dressage test had Chester tied for second place with Ijsbrand Chardon of The Netherlands. During the marathon, things turned disastrous for Chester when one of his horses put a leg over a trace and a groom had to dismount to help the horse, which added points to Chester’s score and put him out of the running for an individual medal.

Losing the ability to win an individual medal was a blow to the goal-oriented and driven driver, but always the consummate competitor he put aside his disappointment and attacked the cones phase with a vengeance in hopes that his score would propel the U.S. team onto the medal podium. Always graceful under pressure, Chester’s cones phase proved to be the silver lining of the weekend as his award-winning score pushed the U.S. team into second and helped them take home the Silver Medal.

Paying It Forward Is A Way of Life- While Chester’s ability to dominate the competitive field has built a large fan base for the driver, it is his heart and generous spirit that his fans speak about most. In April of 2011, Chester heard about a fund raising event for the local Humane Society in his hometown of Ocala, Florida, and he offered to give his winning Silver Medal from the World Equestrian Games to the event, saying it would be better to auction the ribbon off and raise money than to have it hanging in his tack room. The ribbon became part of an online auction and was purchased by an anonymous bidder. The new owner of the ribbon said he had experienced Chester’s overwhelming generosity at a show earlier in the year and purchased the ribbon out of respect for Chester’s exceptional horsemanship and sportsmanship. The anonymous auction ribbon winner then returned the ribbon to Chester and thanked the driver for showing not only drivers, but human beings everywhere, how life should be lived.

As an all-around sportsman and a talented competitor at the top of his sport, Chester continues to be an avid promoter of Combined Driving. Despite a rigorous training schedule and a steady competitive schedule, Chester is a tireless showman and participates in driving exhibitions across the nation to promote Combined Driving, a sport he calls his “true passion.” Chester also willingly offers free clinics and carriage rides to countless charities for fundraising purposes, always stepping up to offer his services to support worthy causes.

A Driving Force in Horse Sport- Chester is not only committed to promoting Combined Driving, but is an avid supporter of all equestrian sports and he serves on the United States Equestrian Team Foundation (USET) Board of Trustees. Chester also serves on the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) High Performance Driving Committee, the National Driving Committee, the Safety Committee, the Hearing Committee, the Licensed Officials Committee and the Driving Technical Committee. Chester is also the chairman of the Active Athlete’s Committee and served on the Dressage Search Committee. In addition, Chester serves on the advisory board of the prestigious Equestrian Quarterly magazine.

Inspiring a Nation- Chester has twice been named as a USEF Equestrian of Honor, but he always shares the limelight with his horses, most famously his horse, Jamaica, who was named the 2008 USEF Horse of the Year and in 2013 was inducted into the EQUUS Foundation Hall of Fame. Jamaica’s fame from slaughterhouse horse to Silver Medalist caught the attention on the nation’s equestrian community.  A Breyer horse was created in his likeness and was debuted at the 2010 World Equestrian Games and Jamaica’s shoes, a presidential gift from president Obama hang in the Royal Stables in England.

Hometown: Ocala, Florida

Number of years riding: Driving Horses for 27 years

Career accomplishments to date: Individual Silver Medal FEI World Driving Championships 2008 and 2012; Team Silver Medal USA at WEG 2002, 2011, Team Bronze medal 2012 World Championships; 9 time USEF National four in Hand Champion, 2 time USEF National pair champion

How you got started in your event: Too big to be a jockey at just under 200 lbs and 6 foot 2 inches

Length of time you’ve been sponsored by Ariat:  Since 2010

Favorite Ariat product (by name):  Navy down filled vest

Proudest career moment: Winning my 1^st individual medal at the FEI World Championships in 2008

Tell us about your first horse: Crumpy, was a pony that I began riding with my sisters and brothers, he was one of the best teachers to date

You ride because:  it is my passion

If you weren’t a professional rider, you would be a: Chef

Favorite mentor or idol growing up: In the driving sport? Michael Freund

Favorite place to travel: Maldives, I have only been there once but I don’t sit still well and there I could be calm in my body and mind

Name one fun fact that people don’t know about you: I worked in 1996 for a restaurant company as a line cook

Favorite way to unwind outside of the barn: Cooking, Tennis, Snow or water skiing

Good luck charm: Changes all the time, I am not really supersticious

3.      Number of years riding: 23 Years since I started, 8 Years in the PBR

4.      Career accomplishments to date:  2006 PBR Rookie of the Year, 2009 PBR World Finals Champion, see PBR website for more..

5.      How you got started in your event:  Started riding sheep when I was 3 and kept moving up.  I did other events in High School Rodeo:   bareback, roped calves, team roping, and steer wrestling.  I liked bull riding the best.

6.      Length of time you’ve been sponsored by Ariat: 2 months

7.      Favorite Ariat products (by name): Tek Fleece hoodie and pullover, all the jean, and boots, but my most favorite are the socks:  Slim line.

8.      Proudest career moment: when I won the 2009 world finals, I am the only bull rider to ever ride all 8 bulls at the world finals.

9.      Tell us about your first bull ride: I was 13 years old it didn’t last very long I was jerked down about the 4^th jump hit in the face, hung up, and drug for awhile.  It didn’t start as planned.

10.       You ride because: I ride because I love it.  I always say if you ever tryit , it will get in your blood.  It’s not bad that I can make a living doing it.
11.  If you weren’t a professional bull rider, you would be a:  Still rodeo:  rope or steer wrestle.

12.  Favorite mentor or idol growing up: Lane Frost and Jerome Davis

13.  Favorite place to travel: Las Vegas

14.  Name one fun fact that people don’t know about you:  I like to read.

15.  Favorite way to unwind outside of bull riding: Hanging out with my wife and daughter, riding horses, working cows, and just hanging out at home.

16.  Good luck charm: my wife Lexi.

Hometown: Westlake Village, CA.

Number of years riding: 20

Career accomplishments to date: Winner of the 2010 $35,000 Blenheim Summer Classic II Grand Prix, 2008 Talent Search Medal Finals champion, 2008 NAYRC individual gold medalist, 2008 NAYRC team gold medalist, 2008 NAYRC style of riding award winner, 2007 CPHA Foundation Dan Abbey Sportsmanship award winner, and 2007 USEF National Hunt Seat Medal Finals reserve champion.

How you got started in your event:

Length of time you’ve been sponsored by Ariat: This is my first year being sponsored by Ariat.

Favorite Ariat product (by name): My favorite products are the Volant Tall Boots and the Triumph Show Coat.

Proudest career moment: Winning individual and team gold medals at the 2008 NAYRC and also winning the USEF Talent Search finals.

Tell us about your first horse: My first horse was a paint pony named Taffy Apple.

You ride because: I ride because I love the competitive aspect of the sport of show jumping and also for the love of the horse.

If you weren’t a professional rider, you would be a: If I weren’t a professional rider I would love to be a marine biologist.

Favorite mentor or idol growing up: My mentors have been my trainers Karen Healey and Ian Millar.

Favorite place to travel:

Name one fun fact that people don’t know about you:

Favorite way to unwind outside of the barn: My favorite way to unwind outside of the barn is running and yoga.

Good luck charm:

The top-placing member of the US Eventing Team at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games riding Neville Bardos and a member of the 2012 US Olympic Eventing Team in London riding Otis Barbotiere, Boyd Martin is one of the top three-day event riders in the world. He is highly ranked on the HSBC Leaderboard (fourth in the world at the time of writing) and has won numerous year-end awards from the United States Eventing Association. In 2010 Martin was named The Chronicle of the Horse magazine’s Eventing Horseman of the Year and in 2011 the magazine named him their Overall Horseman of the Year.

With a barn full of talented horses, Boyd has plenty more excitement in his future. A successful rider and sought-after instructor, Boyd maintains incredible focus and the drive to succeed while remaining approachable to students of all levels. He and his wife, Grand Prix dressage rider Silva Martin, are based out of their own farm in Cochranville, PA.

Boyd’s parents met at the Grenoble Olympics, where his father Ross was competing in cross-country skiing for Australia and his mother, Toy Dorgan, was competing in speed skating for the United States. Boyd was born in New South Wales, Australia on August 20, 1979, with dual Australian and American citizenship. He completed his schooling in 1997 and obtained his NCAS Level 1 Coaching certificate in 1998 and his Horsemanship Certificate 1 at the NSW Equestrian Centre in 1998.

He worked at the New South Wales Equestrian Centre from 1999 until the end of 2006. In the beginning he was employed by Olympian Heath Ryan and then in 1999 he formed his own company, Windurra Australia Pty Ltd., training event horses, breaking young horses, coaching, and breeding performance horses

Boyd’s greatest competitive moment in Australia was winning the Adelaide CCI4* in 2003 riding True Blue Toozac. The event was the Olympic selection trials for the 2004 Athens Olympics, and the last long-format four-star event ever held.

In 2007 Boyd and his wife Silva, a German-born Grand Prix dressage rider, moved to the United States to pursue their dreams of competing internationally. In 2009 Boyd officially changed his status with the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) to represent the United States, and in 2010 Silva obtained dual citizenship so that she too can ride under the Stars and Stripes.

For their first few years in the USA Boyd and Silva worked out of Olympic Gold Medallist Phillip Dutton’s True Prospect Farm in West Grove, PA, where Boyd was Phillip’s assistant rider and Silva rented a separate barn for her dressage horses. The couple moved to their own farm in nearby Cochranville in 2011.

In addition to Adelaide and the World Games and Olympics Boyd has competed internationally at the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* (USA), Pau CCI4* (France), Boekelo CCI3* (the Netherlands), and the Burghley CCI4* (England). He and Ying Yang Yo won the 2011 USEF National Eventing Championships at the Fair Hill International CCI3*, which Boyd also won in 2009 riding Neville Bardos.

Following a devastating fire at True Prospect Farm in 2011 and his subsequent comeback to compete at the Burghley CCI4* in England – arguably the toughest three-day event in the world – Boyd’s Off the Track Thoroughbred gelding Neville Bardos, whom he brought to America from Australia, was named the 2010 US Equestrian Federation International Horse of the Year.

Subsequently Boyd has enjoyed extensive worldwide media coverage including a feature on the front page of The New York Times, a segment on NBC Television’s Rock Center with Brian Williams, a segment on BBC Radio’s “The World”, and a feature in Sports Illustrated magazine.  He maintains an active blog which has twice been nominated for the Equestrian Social Media Awards, and has more than 7500 fans on Facebook. In 2011 Warner Bros. purchased the film rights to his story.

Athlete Questionnaire

What event do you compete in? Eventing

Hometown: Cochranville, PA via Sydney, Australia

Number of years riding: Since age 13

Career accomplishments to date: Rolex?

1^st, Adelaide CCI4* on True Blue Toozac (Australia)

7^th place on Remington XXV, 2010 Pau CCI4* (France)

10^th place individually at 2010 WEG on Neville Bardos (KY, USA)

1^st, 2010 Fair Hill International CCI3* USEF National Championship riding Neville Bardos

7^th place on Neville Bardos, 2011 Burghley CCI4* (England)

1^st, 2011 Fair Hill International CCI3* USEF National Championship riding Ying Yang Yo

3^rd place at 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event with Otis Barbotiere (and 8^th on Remington XXV)

Member of 2012 US Olympic Eventing Team on Otis Barbotiere

How you got started in your event: In Australia due to all the other lads in my town participating in the local Pony Club. Cross country involved galloping relatively untrained ponies at high speeds over fixed obstacles, which I loved. My sister Brooke was also into riding.

Length of time you’ve been sponsored by Ariat: Since November 2012

Favorite Ariat product (by name):

The Pro Circuit Breeches are not only are they the most stylish menswear breeches in the jumping ring, they are super comfortable and the technical fabric keeps me cool and wicks sweat away to keep me feeling my best.

Proudest career moment: Representing the United States at the WEG and the Olympic Games

Tell us about your first horse: A pony named Willy, show name “Willy Do It”. In my first competition I fell off twice on cross-country and once in show jumping to finish on a score of 384. We could only go up from there!

You ride because: Horses have enabled me to go places beyond my wildest dreams. Riding has also provided me with a career in which I work hard every single day of the year training horses and I love every second of it.

If you weren’t a professional rider, you would be a: Professional Gambler

Favorite mentor or idol growing up: Heath Ryan. This borderline insane horse fanatic from Australia drew me to horses the moment I met him and from the age of 17 I lived in the bunkhouse at New South Wales Equestrian Center where I worked for Heath as a working pupil. Every day I watched him train his horses and I became more and more intrigued with the art of becoming a great horseman.

Favorite place to travel: Las Vegas

Name one fun fact that people don’t know about you: Extremely proud cat lover

Favorite way to unwind outside of the barn: Watching my favorite TV show, “Cops”

Good luck charm: My wife Silva (and my secret weapon in dressage)

Union City, Calif. May 10, 2013 -Ariat International, the leader in innovative Western and English footwear, apparel and accessories, has recently signed professional bull rider, JB Mauney. Mauney is one of the stars of the Professional Bull Riders and a fan – favorite, making headlines for his big rides and magnetic personality.

Mauney has been a star of the PBR for 8 years in, 2006, he finished 25th in the world standings and won the Daisy Rookie of the Year award. At the 2009 PBR World Finals, Mauney made history when he won the event by becoming the first rider ever to hit the 8-second whistle on all eight bulls – achieving one of his proudest career moments to date. Additionally, for the past five years Mauney has finished the season ranked in the Top 5 of the world standings – twice finishing second – and was ranked the top rider in the world, – earlier this year.

“We are honored to have JB Mauney represent the Ariat brand,” said Susan Alcala, vice president of partnership marketing at Ariat. “We have long admired and respected his commitment to and enthusiasm for the sport of bull riding and are thrilled to have him join the Ariat team.

“I am proud to be sponsored by Ariat,” says Mauney “I’ve been riding for 23 years and ever since I discovered Ariat products, I’ve been hooked. I love the boots, jeans and pullovers, but my most favorite are the socks: slim line. I find their products to be comfortable, durable, and they allow me to compete at peak performance.”

About Ariat International, Inc.
Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.

(Union City, CA) April 29, 2013 – Ariat International, Inc., the leader in innovative Western and English equestrian apparel and footwear, introduces its Fall 2013 Fashion Footwear Collection. The theme for the season, Reinventing Tradition, combines Ariat’s equestrian heritage with modern design to create unique, contemporary boots. Featuring premium leathers, artisan techniques and unmatched comfort, the Fall 2013 Fashion Footwear Collection captures the heart of Ariat’s authentic brand legacy.

The capsule includes footwear with uniquely crafted and hand-finished vintage design elements such as distressed leather, marble finishes and hand sewn soles. Handmade embroideries and supple antiqued leather embody the lifestyle, while innovative materials and construction provide the comfort, quality and durability that are the hallmark of an Ariat product.

 “This season we found inspiration for our fashion footwear collection in vintage boutiques,” said Tiss Dahan, vice president of footwear at Ariat International. “The handmade details and rare materials we unearthed enabled us to create a line that blends elements of the past into a look for the future. The new collection draws on bothEnglish and Western heritage with an emphasis on style.”

Availability

Ariat’s Fall 2013 fashion footwear collection launches for Men and Women in September 2013. Ranging in price from $154.95 to $349.95, the line will be available at select retailers, boutiques and at www.ariat.com.

Check out her performance below and her boots HERE

Ariat’s support will enable the growth of one of the Foundation’s main initiatives, the Champions program. The Champions program is an incentive-based equine service program created to stimulate volunteerism within the equine community. Individuals achieving Champion status are eligible to win a grant for their favorite equine charity, apply for academic and riding scholarships and receive gift certificates for Ariat products.

Ariat will also be one of the sponsors for the Foundation’s two major charity events—Fete Cheval Etoile held on March 8, 2013 at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL  and its Grand Prix Luncheon which will be held on June 22, 2013 in conjunction with the Fairfield Grand Prix, at the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show in Westport, CT. For more information about these two events, visit www.equusfoundation.org/events.

Stay tuned for more updates on Ariat’s facebook, twitter and community site, there will be lots more about this great organization!

Here is a little more about the EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation, a nonprofit 501(C) (3), is the primary national organization dedicated solely to horse welfare and fostering the horse-human bond in the therapeutic, recreational and sport communities.The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support to horse-related charities across the United States; connecting a network of equine organizations to equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to reward volunteer service on behalf of horses, and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses. The EQUUS Foundation has awarded over $2 million in grants and is now recognized as a leading animal welfare organization by Animal Planet. For more information visit www.equusfoundation.org.

Last weekend, I decided to venture over to Salinas, CA, for a little R&R, on a friend’s family farm, with a couple nights worth of clothing, and my pair of Rambler Work Pull-Ons.  Of course, being on a farm means that the day can’t all be fun and games, and I soon found myself with a shovel in-hand, digging up a trench, and laying down piping for a new water-line.  The job left me sore all over (I didn’t even know I had some of the muscles that were hurting!), but my boots got me through the work, and left my feet feeling happy!

Turns out we gave our work boots to some guys who make my story look like child’s-play.  I’ve never worked on an oil field, but I know that if Ariat Work Boots can get them through their work week, they’ll be able to get anybody through anything!

How did you get started?

I was born into a ranching and rodeo family, and from the time I was a little cowgirl I loved the lifestyle. Later on when I got to high school I started taking art classes and developed a passion for creating. During my senior year of high school I combined my two loves, rodeo and art/fashion and the rest is history.

 What inspires you?

Growing up my heroes were always cowgirls. My inspiration for the new line is all the women that made the west what it was. These women were true cowgirls who could rope, ride, do all the work of any cowboy and be the ones to take care of their men and families at the end of the day. These women were tough but beautiful in there flamboyant rodeo attire. They played such a huge role in making America what it is today, a role that I feel is often overlooked. I love the vintage bright colors, fringe, whip stitching and embroidery because what it all represents, an American tradition of the he hard riding, steer roping, fast shooting cowgirls of the wild west!

 How have you evolved as a designer?

As a senior agricultural communications student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, the learn by doing motto has been a direct influence in my experiences with Ariat. As a designer passionate about the rodeo lifestyle I am able to transfer my creative juices to a community that I love.

 What’s the main difference between the first and second editions?

My first line was more of a collection of tattoo and Mexican inspired art.  My new line is inspired by women of the west and the different nationalities of those women.

My Nona always emphasized the importance of looking your best while competing in a world dominated by men.

What’s it like being on the Rodeo Team? Are you inspired by your team?

Being on a rodeo team is like having a second family. We all live the same lifestyle, understand each other and are there for each other. Some of my closest friends are my biggest competitors and we do everything together. They push my limits and I push there’s.  We make each other stronger and better. As a competitor the main objective is to win, and one thing my team has helped me learn is that it’s not about beating your competitor it’s about improving yourself. In the end you are your biggest competitor. My teammates have helped me become the competitor I am today. I wouldn’t give up the experiences or comradery for anything. My rodeo family is one that will be dear to my heart until the end.

Where do you shop?

Anywhere there is shopping you can probably find me, from Boot Barn to Nordstrom’s to Forever 21. I love to combine the western look with mainstream fashion.

What do you wear day to day?

Well of course I wouldn’t be caught dead without wearing the Quincy collection. I eat sleep and rodeo in it and I think everyone should! I have a big collection of Ariat. It’s so comfortable and stylish. It wasn’t until I started working for Ariat that I realized there boots are really the most comfortable cowboy boots out there!

Get them here:  http://www.ariat.com/Western/Women/Footwear/Professional/TheQuincyCollection.html?color=SHATTERED_TAN

What are some Rodeo Must-have items?

My motto is to always have your lipstick. A rodeo cowgirl can never have too many denim shirts to compete in, a great hat (mine has a big red rose in it), bright colored belt, big earrings and of course a pair of Quincy Collection boots to top it off.

What are you horses names?

The horses that I compete on this year’s names are Larry, Lex, Betty and Buster.