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 Martin-Tucker from Woodbine, MD. Photo: Hoof Print ImagesWith 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. CLICK HERE for RESULTS
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!”
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. Photo: Hoof Print Images
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.
Judge Debbie Riehl-Rodriguez Photo: Hoof Print Images
“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...
Judge Renee Johnson Photo: Hoof Print Images
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 Dreamcatcher (DeNiro x Etched in Black), a black Hanovarian owned and bred by Anke-Ott Young from New Canaan, CT.
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 Martin-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!
Dressage at Devon 2016: The Breed Class Continues Day 2
Devon, PA – The breed division of Dressage at Devon continued on Wednesday with suitability, under saddle, Materiale classes and much more. Much like the Olympics, there are always great, behind-the-scenes stories at Dressage at Devon (DAD). For example, there is the three generation Reggio/Belles family - breeders, trainers, riders and handlers from Windy Ridge Farm in Bethel, PA who have been competing at DAD since 1989. And, while multiple generations of riders at DAD are not all that unusual, this family is quite special.
Judy Reggio (Suzanne's mom and Tori's grandmother) had what she calls a "chronic disease," centered around her love of horses. She wanted to be Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. When she was young, she and a few friends made the money to buy and care for a $100 horse. She went on to start Windy Ridge farm and coached polocrosse. Suzanne Reggio-Belles, Judy's daughter and Tori's mom, started out as a rider, spent time in pony club and has trained a baby to I1. Today, she showed her 4-year old in the GA/USDFBC 4/5 Year Old Materiale Championship.
Then there's Tori who got her start at DAD in a leadline class at the age of six. She has had many successes on her horses in Dressage Seat Equitation and today, came in third in the Youth Handler class as well as earning the high score for a Dutch warmblood awarded by KWPN NA. The future is bright for Tori who rides Charlotte, a German Sport Pony, owned by Ilona English of Summit Sporthorses and will be getting an FEI pony next week from the Dressage4Kids program started and run by Lendon Gray.
Born in the USA
The "Born in the USA" Breeders Awards was started at Dressage at Devon in 2003 and since that time other shows have followed suit. The class features foals born in the US, and these horses prove that the US can successfully compete with international breeders. Prize money is divided among fourteen categories including Mares, Stallions, Fillies and Colts of 2016, Yearling Fillies and Colts, Two year old Fillies and Colts and others. This year's class high score was earned by Royal Celeste FH (Royal Classic x Diorienne), bred by Eliza Rutherford and owned by Quinnten Alston of Colera MD with a score of 83.4000.
The Inaugural GA/USDFBC 4/5 Year Olds Materiale Championship
This year is the first year for the BA/USDFBC 4/5 Year Old Materiale Championship classes in which mares, stallions and geldings compete together. "I think it's fabulous," says Judge Christal Carlson. "We are trying to produce riding horses and this gives us the opportunity to see them together. Now we can pick the best horse!" The class was won by Harvest, owned by Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, NJ.
A Few Highlights
The high scorer of the day was Harvest, a 4 year old black stallion with a fabulous score of 88.604.
The Mare Championship was won by Stenagers Welina owned by Nancy Radtke and the Stallion Championship was won by Finery (Furstenball x Sanetta) owned by Ann Howard and bred by Otto Langemeyer.
The Breeder's Group was won by Broadfields 121 (North Andover, MA) and Cara Kettenbach with a score of 80.750.
The GAIG/USDEFBC East Coast Stallion Final winner was Royal Tourmalet SPF (Royal Prince x Ms Adira) owned by Joanna Gray-Randle and bred by Gina Leslie.
Thursday will feature the Individual Breed Classes with more than 20 breeds from the Akhal-Teke, Hanovarians, Friesians, Drum Horses, the Georgian Grande Horse and Lipizzans. Plus shopping, great food and more.
Day 3 – Dressage at Devon: Individual Breed Classes and the Start of the Performance Division
Devon, PA – Day 3 featured the Individual Breed Classes (IBC) with more than 20 breeds from Andalusians, Hanovarians and Haflingers to Warmbloods and Lipizzans.
Two new classes were added this year – Akhal-Teke and the Drum Horse. The Akhal-Teke is from Turkmenistan where they are a national emblem. They have a reputation for speed and endurance, intelligence and a distinctive metallic sheen. The breed is tough and resilient, having adapted to the harshness of Turkmenistan lands.
The Drum Horse was first used by the Queen of England in her ceremonial Band of the Life Guards. The Drum Horse carries large silver kettle drums during parades and other pageantry – thus the name. Today, the Drum Horse is proving to be the “ultimate heavy riding horse” according to the International Drum Horse Association.
KWPN Youth
Ryan Jimenez, 21, comes from a family of breeders of Dutch Warmbloods. His dad, Dr. Carlos Jimenez is a vet and Ryan attributes his interest in becoming a theriogenologist (a vet specializing in reproduction including embryo transfer and artificial insemination) to his experiences growing up. His interest in the breed led him to start, with a few friends, the Young KWPN NA group. Open to people between 15 and 30 who want to share information, get to know other Dutch Warmblood breeders and riders, and attend events and other educational opportunities. Right now, the group is putting together two teams (16-19 and 20-25) to join them for the International Young Breeders Competition being held in Calgary. For more information, email Ryan at youngkwpn@gmail.com or ryanclydep@aol.com
Performance Division Begins
The Performance Division began in the Gold Ring with the USEF YH 4 Year Old Test, won by Silva Martin on Electric with a score of 79.400; The FEI YH Test for 5 Year Old Final was won by Giuliano B (Bon Bravour x Mondilia), ridden by Karin Persson with a score of 82.00. The FEI YH Test was won by Don Cesar (Desperados x Manhattan), ridden by Cesar Parra, with a score of 78.200.
In the Dixon, the USEF Fourth Level of Choice (class 101A) was won by Royale (Routinier x Infinitive), ridden by Meagan Davis with a score of 69.257. The USEF Fourth Level of Choice (class 101B) was also won by Meagan Davis, this time on Damocles HLF with a score of 71.284.
The performance division swings into full gear on Friday with 4, 5, and 6 year old tests, the FEI Pony Team Test, Young Riders Team Test, the Prix St Georges and much more.
For more information, visit www.dressageatdevon.org.