Devon, PA – With the weather cooperating, the 2016 Dressage at Devon show began today, with the yearlings, two, three and four year old fillies, colts and geldings in the Dixon Oval and Gold Ring.

The Dressage at Devon Breed Show is a major event in the dressage world with top breeders from around the country attending.

“What started out 41 years ago as a new show with just a few horses in the breed division has grown into the largest open breed show in the world. The biggest breeders in the nation bring their fillies, colts, stallions and mares to show their horses, conduct business, make new contacts and just visit with old friends,” said Melanie Sloyer, Chair of the Breed Division.

The Breeders agree. Klaus Schengber, from High Point Hanovarians (Chestertown, MD), has been coming to Dressage at Devon for 30 years. “As a breeder, it’s good marketing. To advertise successes at Devon stands for something. Plus, you can meet all your friends and have a good time!”

In a breed show, handlers are a key part of the competition, working to show off their horses. But it can be tough as the young foals, unused to being at a show, don’t always cooperate. And it get’s tougher when it comes to judging.

It takes an expert team of judges to look at the foals, in what is, effectively a snapshot in time. “We are looking for potential international dressage prospects that have a good future,” said Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez, a USEF “S” judge, Sport Horse Breeding judge and a member of the USDF “L” faculty for judges training. “(Because they are so young) they can change over a short period of time and so it is awkward to judge yearlings and two year olds.”

But the judges do their jobs well.

“We look for pretty horses but they have to have a natural uphill balance,” said Renee Johnson, who has compete successfully to Grand Prix and holds Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. “Even though they are in growth stages, we look for excellence in confirmation and above average movement correctness that indicates durability. But just because a horse doesn’t win, doesn’t mean that they won’t do well as they grow,” continued Johnson.

Both Johnson and Riehl-Rodriguez have nothing but high praise for Dressage at Devon. “It is a real privilege to be invited here,” said Riehl-Rodriguez. Added Johnson, “Dressage at Devon has a worldwide reputation.”

And the Winners Are...

Young horses were everywhere, each with its own unique qualities. And with 20+ classes, there were many winners. Here are a few:

The Foal Championship was won by Logan ISF (Contango, Preferential x Bicara, Elite) bred and owned by Iron Spring Farm Inc. of Coatesville, PA. 

The three year old Fillie Materiale was won by Serenade MF (Sir Donnehil x Duet), a Hanovarian mare bred by Maryanna Haymon and owned by Alice Tarjan.

As the first day drew to a close, The GAIG/USDFBC East Coast Filly Final was won by Dulce Rosa (For Romance/Jamaica/Dorina) with a score of 80.287 and bred by Marne Barton-Tucker from Woodbine, MD. The GAIG/USDFBC East Coast Colt and Gelding Final was won by Imperial ISF (Florianus II x Andorra ISF), a bay KWPN gelding, with a score of 78.375 and bred by Iron Spring Farm in Coatesville, PA. All results are available at www.dressageatdevon.org.

The Breed Division continues on Wednesday with Suitabilty classes, the Mature Horse Championship, Mare and Stallion Finals, 4 & 5 year old Materiale classes plus the Adult Amateur Handler Class. And, of course, great shopping and food for the breaks!

About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon, the largest CDI show in the US and the largest open breed show in the world, combines world-class international dressage competition and one of the world’s few complete sport horse breed shows with the family fun of an International Fall Festival, featuring food and shopping for all tastes.