Dressage at Devon: Day Five - Featuring the Musical Freestyle; Day Six - Grand Prix Rides

Source: News Release

Day Five - Featuring the Musical Freestyle;
Day Six - Grand Prix Rides

Devon, Pennsylvania – Almost 50 horses competed in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Open CDI3 in the Dixon Oval today with the class running for most of the day under bright sunshine. Additional classes included the FEI Intermediaire “A”, the Young Rider Grand Prix in which young riders, ages 16-25 l compete and give us a glimpse of future top riders.

Alexandra Dvorak Follows in Her Father’s Footsteps

Alexandra Dvorak, from Hillsburgh, Ontario, rode to the top of Devon’s FEI Young Rider Grand Prix on Fling, a Westfalen gelding. Her father and trainer, Olympian Tom Dvorak, purchased Fling in Germany, intending to resell him. When it was time for Alexandra to graduate from a pony to a horse, however, they decided to keep him. “I love his personality, and he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body,” says Alexandra.

Her dressage career rose quickly from Juniors in 2008 to Grand Prix level this year. Of her experience at Devon she says, “it’s been a wonderful. The people competing here are the best of the best.” While she has put many long days in to achieve her success, Alexandra is quick credit her father for his support. “He’s the greatest father and coach. No one wants me to succeed more.” And with that statement, Alexandra and her proud father come together for a big hug outside Fling’s stall.

Horse Ballet

Nowhere is the term “horse ballet” more appropriate than in the wonderful musical freestyle. Riders and their horses “dance” to music carefully chosen to match the horse’s own tempo and style and to show off the required movements. But picking the right music is a real challenge. Not only does it have to complement the horse’s movements, the rider has to really like the music – they’re going to be listening and riding to it – a lot!

According to the United States Dressage Foundation, the dressage musical freestyle is an artistic program created by the rider to present his or her horse to its best advantage in an artistic, musical context. It is judged according to technical execution (execution of compulsory movements) and artistic impression (harmony, choreography, degree of difficulty, musicality).

There are companies that develop custom music based on watching the pace and movements of a horse. But, at least at Dressage at Devon, most of the selections are familiar, engaging the audience on a whole new level. Rocky and Eye of the Tiger come to mind. Often, riders use a medley of music to get different tempos to allow their horse to show off.

This year, selections ranged from rock to country western and everything in between. And from our vantage point, they all look great so, we asked an expert.

What the Experts are Thinking

Often, people are fascinated by the movements of the horses, especially at the Grand Prix level. Those who want to deepen their understanding can rent personal receivers that enable them to follow the ‘Dressage with the Experts’ program. It provides real-time commentary about the rides enabling spectators to gain an appreciation of what the judges are looking for.

“Dressage is a horse-friendly sport with a concern for good training and good treatment. Nothing should look forced, the horse should appear happy and ready to work,” commented Johanna Gwinn, A USEF Senior dressage judge who has been judging for more than two decades and was one of the commentators at Dressage at Devon.

The Ladies Sweep the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle

Ashley Holzer and her bay mare, Tiva Nana, winner of Friday’s Grand Prix Qualifier, thrilled the crowd with their freestyle dressage performance that earned a score of 76.125. Their movements were challenging. For instance, they moved from canter to piaffe to passage without missing a beat of the epic, orchestral music. Apparently Ashley had made a last minute decision to enter the freestyle competition. She says that the electric atmosphere at Devon worried her mare a bit “but she is always willing to try anything as long as I set her up right. She is such a partner.”

Karen Pavicic and her gelding Don Daiquiri won second place with an energetic ride and a score of 73.375. She says, “Our experience at WEG gave us a lot of confidence.” Third place went to Catherine Haddad Staller and her chestnut gelding, Mane Stream Hotmail with a score of 72.5.

Grand Prix Rides, Guy McLean, and the DVCTA Quadrille Make the Final Day of Dressage at Devon Fun for All

The rides on Sunday, were of top quality, and featured the Young Rider Freestyle, the Grand Prix Freestyle (ages 16-25), the fantastic Grand Prix Special, and the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle.

Stallion, Rosevelt, Dominates the FEI Grand Prix Special

Allison Brock and Rosevelt, a black stallion owned by Claudine and Fritz Kundrum, won the FEI Grand Prix Special. It was Alison’s second trip to Devon, but the first time she rode in the Grand Prix. She was thrilled that Rosevelt handled Devon’s charged environment like an old pro. As for her experience, she says, “to ride in the Grand Prix at Dressage at Devon is a childhood dream. Devon has a special atmosphere and tradition.” Allison has been riding Rosevelt for five years and is grateful for the support of the Kundrums as well as trainers, Michael and Vera Barisone. She notes that while horse and rider are in the spotlight, it takes a team to get them there. Will Allison and Rosevelt be back at Devon? “Absolutely! I want to come back next year and do the Freestyle,” she says.

And the Winner Is….

David Ziegler rode Penisula Top Man (You Can Do x Kings Master) to the top position in the FEI Young Rider Freestyle with an impressive score of 71.700.

Fling was in the winner’s circle again in the Grand Prix Freestyle (16-25), with a score of 67.950 with rider Alexandra Dvorak (whose father also rode today in the FEI Intermediaire 1 Freestyle on Ribot and the FEI Grand Prix Special aboard Viva’s Salieri W).

Olivia Lagoy-Weltz. Photo: Hoof Print Images.

The victory gallop in the Intermediaire 1 Freestyle was led by Olivia Lagoy-Weltz on Rassing’s Lonoir (Lorani x De Noir), a 17.2 hand Danish warmblood gelding.

Crowd Pleasing Exhibitions

The Dixon Oval fills with sounds from A Chorus Line, as eight riders – a quadrille - resplendent in gold-sequined tail coats with their equine partners that are adorned with gold leggings and brow bands. They move in unison, riding intricate patterns for their fourth year at Dressage at Devon.

DVCTA Quadrille. Photo: Hoof Print Images.

The members of Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA) quadrille, all hailing from Delaware and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania, come together as a team to perform. Their squad manager, Anne Miller, wears many hats — trainer, choreographer, costume designer, costume selector and fund raiser.

It was the DVCTA that put on a dressage show in the early 70’s and eventually moved to the Devon Horse Show Grounds in 1975. That show blossomed into what Dressage at Devon is today.

The quadrille members practice together once a week, trailering in to Kealani Farm in West Grove from all over the Delaware Valley. Other members of DVCTA provide support --- lending horses when a horse is lame, helping create costumes and videotaping rides. It takes a community to create a quadrille.

This year, Anne was inspired by the gold-sequined coats, which she found online. They fit the new theme of adding bling to dressage and also reminded her of costumes that might appear in Broadway shows. So, the music from Chorus Line, well-known and upbeat, was fitting.

Guy McLean

Back by popular demand, Guy McLean amazed the audience with his performances, just as he has all over the world. Guy orchestrates the movement of four horses at once, with what often seems to be no more than a gentle request. Whether his horses sit, roll, bow or even pretend to run away, they always astound and delight audiences. Then, in a special exhibition Sunday afternoon, Guy gave the audience a glimpse into the Method Behind the Magic. In this, he explained many of the methods and techniques he uses and we can bet that many of those watching went straight home to test them out.

About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon, the highest-rated international dressage competition held outside of Europe, 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.

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