“Chester” - Hotel Cheval’s Belgian Draft Horse
Trading a quaint life in Amish country for California’s Central Coast, Chester, Hotel Cheval’s Belgian draft horse, has become one of Paso Robles most recognized celebrities.
Born in March 2001, for over six years, Chester worked for farmer Eli Yoders on his 260-acre farm pulling equipment including a sulkey plow, disc, corn planter, corn binder and hay mover.
In 2007, Chester left the fields of Big Prairie, Ohio to settle in Paso Robles as Hotel Cheval’s equine mascot, offering guests and locals complimentary carriage rides to and from restaurants around the city park on Friday and Saturday evenings.
A stunning display of his breed, Chester exemplifies the Red Belgian draft horse with his blonde mane, tail, and white blaze. His size, 18 hands tall and over 2000 pounds, makes him ideal for pulling carriages and other equipment.
Originally trained to pull wagons to and from town for supplies, Chester took to his new position at the helm of Hotel Cheval’s vintage vis a vis carriage, appropriately named for seating two couples facing each other, with great enthusiasm.
In January 2010, after three years of faithful, unwavering service, Chester segued into semi-retirement. He will still make several appearances a year, for special occasions and events, but he will now spend his well-deserved R&R at his home, Harris Stage Lines, where he eats 60 pounds of hay and two gallons of rolled oats per day. His favorite indulgences are still aged corn-cobs, reminiscent of his days in Amish country, and being groomed!
