Day 3 of Dressage at Devon - the Largest Open Breed Show

Devon, PA – Day 3 of Dressage at Devon featured more than 20 individual breed classes including the Alkal-Teke, Hanoverians (2 and under and 3 and older), Haflinger, Andalusian Horse, Dales Pony, Oldenburg (GOV), Paint Horse, Friesian, Danish Warmblood, Knabstrupper, Iberian Horse, ISR Oldenburg, Appaloosa, Irish Draught, Purebred Arabian, Half Arabian, Lusitano, KWPN NA, Drum Horse,  Thoroughbred, American Saddlebred, Lipizzan, Georgian Grande, and PRE. Many of these breeds have shown at Devon for a number of years but, new this year, were the Dales Ponies, sponsored by the Dressage at Devon committee.

 

The Dales Pony offers a combination of good conformation with energy and ability making them excellent for riding, driving and draft. They are unbeatable at a walk and have the stamina and determination to keep going over long distances according to the Dales Pony Society of America, Inc. Being willing and very clever jumpers, they compete very successfully in Cross Country Trials and performance classes. These ponies are very good at competition driving classes and can do well in dressage.

 

Kathy Kiesel, Vice President of Facilities for Dressage at Devon, imported Bickerdike Cracker Jack (Canandale Great Expectation x Canadale Black Magic), the winner of the class, from Alberta, Canada in 2002 when he was one of only 60 Dales in North America. He was taught to drive, was her daughter’s mount in lead line, was a therapeutic pony for five years at Quest Therapeutics and, more recently, has been showing at first level and is schooling to third level. Kathy also owns Mighty Max (Raspotnik Conner x Bickerdike Midnight Jazz), the red ribbon winner in the class. She’s a big fan of these sturdy and reliable ponies. Robbie Kankus, CEO of Dressage at Devon, is now the owner of Bickerdike Midnight Jazz who was also entered in the class.

 

Christine Smith (Wildest Expectations Farm, Stephens City, VA) who handled Jack, Max and Jazz in the class, is now a fan of the breed. “I had a ball,” said Christine, who typically handles horses. “I came out giggling and happy. They had loads of personality but were not aggressive. They were like a toy stuffed animal with personality. I just wanted to hop on them and go for a ride.”

 

The Dales Pony has been placed on the critically endangered list in Britain but Britain’s royalty is on board with the Queen often riding a Dales and HRH the Prince of Wales is a Patron.

 

The Performance Division began on Thursday afternoon. Highlights included:

USEF Fourth Level Test of Choice Open GAIG/USDF Q – The blue ribbon went to Silva Martin on Jada W, a 16.1 Warmblood mare, with a score of 69.797. Jada W was bred and is owned by Windurra USA (Unionville, PA). 

 

The last class of the day was the USEF Fourth Level Test of Choice Open GAIG/USDF Q was won by Meagan Davis on Damocles HLF (Diamond Stud x High Society), owned by Meagan Davis.

 

Complete results can be found at www.dressageatdevon.org.

 

The Performance Division continues Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with classes including Intermediaire tests, the FEI Prix St. George, Grand Prix Qualifiers, and Grand Prix Musical Freestyles. Plus, on Sunday, Dressage at Devon’s unique Dressage Explorers program will take place and include a selfie scavenger hunt, equine jeapordy, make your own stick horse and a stick horse competition in the Dixon Oval. Plus, Explorers will have a chance to meet Silva Martin and learn the ins and outs of dressage competition. 

 

The sun is out and the forecast is great. Join us!

 

Dressage at Devon takes place September 26 – October 1 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. General admission tickets are $10 for ages 13 and above; Kids ages 3-12 are $5, and children under 3 are admitted free. Reserved seating is $26 on Friday, $37 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Grand Prix 3-Day reserved seat ticket package is $66 and reserves an assigned seat for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Seat location may be different each day.) Reserved tickets are available online at www.dressageatdevon.org. General admission is available at the door.

 

About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.org) has been a premier North American Equestrian event since its founding in 1975.  It combines world-class dressage competition and the world’s largest open breed show with the international Fall Festival show and special activities for the entire family.  The six-day event attracts hundreds of riders from around the world and thousands of spectators.  Dressage at Devon is a 501(c) (3) PA non-profit organization, benefitting equine education.

Day 2 – Dressage at Devon – Young Horses (and the Sun!) Take Over the Dixon Oval

North American-bred Danae MF (Doctor Wendell MF x EM Rising Star), Grand Champion at Devon

The largest open breed show in the world continued today with 4 and 5 year olds shown in-hand and under saddle in the Materiale classes.

 

A few highlights include:

 

The USDFBC Mare Championship went to Andorra ISF (Sir Sinclair x Hivona), a 16.1, bay, 12-year old mare bred by Iron Spring Farm, Inc. (Coatesville, PA) with a score of 81.675.

 

The USDFBC Stallion Championship went to Sandros Star (Sagnol x Nostalgias Tar), a 16.3 stallion bred by Vicki Bauer and owned by Hannah Salazar (Middleburg, VA) with a score of 77.325.

 

It’s always great to see younger people entering Dressage. Devon Wallish with Armando SFI took the blue in the Youth Handler class with a score of 83.900.

 

The Dressage at Devon Grand Champion ribbon went to Danae MF (Doctor Wendell MF x EM Rising Star), a 3-year- old Hanovarian bred by Maryanna Haymon, Marydell Farm, Columbus, NC  and who was no stranger to the winner’s circle.

 

“It’s been an amazing couple of days,” said Maryanna. When asked about Danae MF, Maryanna said the she’s been a quiet, trusting, affectionate horse from the beginning. She’s a very accomplished 3-year old,” said Haymon, having won, among other honors, the USDF Traveling Trot Perpetual Trophy awarded to the highest scoring dressage Sport Horse In-Hand of all ages and both genders. Danae’s full siblings include Don Pharrell MF (winner of the Yearling Colts/Geldings) and second in the Young Horse Championship as well as other promising youngsters.

 

Successful breeding “takes a village,” said Maryanna. “It’s a team effort that includes the repro vet, the daily vet, starters, farm help, body workers, trainers, riders and the people at home who make it possible for us to come here.”

Haymon breeds for Grand Prix qualities and can offer regional Grand Prix horses who are “safe, sane, and competitive,” CDI competitors, and then there are those who could make any Olympic team. She says horses bred in the U.S. meet or surpass the caliber of horses bred internationally.

 

“As a breeder, you can never be satisfied. You can be pleased, you can be happy but if you’re satisfied, you’ll never improve.”

 

“This is our 26^th year at Dressage at Devon and it’s very special to me. (She won a 10^th out of 72 in a class her first year and was thrilled.) The volunteers are very supportive, helping to keep us on time and safe and the staff is great. It’s a special place, a special event, and a special experience.”

USDFBC Mare Champion Andorra ISF (Sir Sinclair x Hivona), bred by Iron Spring Farm, Inc.

 

Complete results can be found at www.dressageatdevon.org.

 

The breed show continues Wednesday and Thursday four and five year old championships, mature horse championships, stallion and mare championships and the grand championship. Plus Materiale classes, Breeder’s Group, Handler classes and, on Thursday, the Individual Breed classes, from Alkal-Teke to PREUnder the shining sun, colts and fillies entered the Dixon Oval and the Gold Ring, representing the best of the future of dressage. Some handled it well, acting like they had been doing it for years. Others clearly wanted their mother. But all were exceptional, following their handlers (mostly) and showing off their excellent breeding. Here are just a few of the highlights:

 

 

The sun is out and the forecast is great. Join us!

 

Dressage at Devon takes place September 26 – October 1 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. General admission tickets are $10 for ages 13 and above; Kids ages 3-12 are $5, and children under 3 are admitted free. Reserved seating is $26 on Friday, $37 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Grand Prix 3-Day reserved seat ticket package is $66 and reserves an assigned seat for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Seat location may be different each day.) Reserved tickets are available online at www.dressageatdevon.org. General admission is available at the door.

 

About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.org) has been a premier North American Equestrian event since its founding in 1975.  It combines world-class dressage competition and the world’s largest open breed show with the international Fall Festival show and special activities for the entire family.  The six-day event attracts hundreds of riders from around the world and thousands of spectators.  Dressage at Devon is a 501(c) (3) PA non-profit organization, benefitting equine education.

Day 1 – The Sun is Out, the Forecast is Great and the Babies are the Stars of the Show

Under the shining sun, colts and fillies entered the Dixon Oval and the Gold Ring, representing the best of the future of dressage. Some handled it well, acting like they had been doing it for years. Others clearly wanted their mother. But all were exceptional, following their handlers (mostly) and showing off their excellent breeding. Just a few of the highlights:

 

Young Horse Championship – Danae MF (Doctor Wendell MF x EM Rising Star MF), bred and owned by Maryanna Hamon (Columbus, NC)

 

USDFBC East Coast Foal Championship - Fleur de Niro (Furstenball x Dancing Darkness) a black filly bred and owned by Anke Ott Young, New Canaan, CT, with a score of 82.050.

 

USDFBC East Coast Filly Championship – Kasina ISF (Uno Don Diego x Rabiola) bred and owned by Iron Spring Farm Inc. with a score of 80.675.

 

USDFBC East Coast Colt and Gelding Championship – Stetson HTF (Sternlicht GGF x Unicum-d, bred and owned by Hilltop Farm Inc. (Colora, MD) with a score of 78.237.

 

Colt/Gelding Championship – Don Pharrell MF (Doctor Wendell MF x EM Rising Star MF) bred and owned by Maryanna Haymon (Columbus, NC).

 

USDFBC East Coast Final 3 year old Materiale Championship – Sole Fiore ((Scuderia x Francesa bred by Ferdinand Mayer and owned by Melinda Kelly (Hillard, OH) with a score of 78.150.

 

Foal Championship – Louisville HTF (Lord Leatherdale x Unicum-d) owned and bred by Hilltop Farm Inc (Colora, MD)

 

Complete results can be found at www.dressageatdevon.org.

 

The breed show continues Wednesday and Thursday four and five year old championships, mature horse championships, stallion and mare championships and the grand championship. Plus Materiale classes, Breeder’s Group, Handler classes and, on Thursday, the Individual Breed classes, from Alkal-Teke to PRE.

 

The sun is out and the forecast is great. Join us!

 

Dressage at Devon takes place September 26 – October 1 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. General admission tickets are $10 for ages 13 and above; Kids ages 3-12 are $5, and children under 3 are admitted free. Reserved seating is $26 on Friday, $37 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday. Grand Prix 3-Day reserved seat ticket package is $66 and reserves an assigned seat for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Seat location may be different each day.) Reserved tickets are available online at www.dressageatdevon.org. General admission is available at the door.

 

About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.org) has been a premier North American Equestrian event since its founding in 1975.  It combines world-class dressage competition and the world’s largest open breed show with the international Fall Festival show and special activities for the entire family.  The six-day event attracts hundreds of riders from around the world and thousands of spectators.  Dressage at Devon is a 501(c) (3) PA non-profit organization, benefitting equine education.

Article: Interview with Hanoverian breeder Axel Windeler

A new article from the horse magazine is of interest to breeders. It's an interview with a very successful Hanoverian breeder, Axel Windeler, breeder of the 5-year-old champion of the World Young Dressage Horse championships in Ermelo this year. Don Martillo (Don Juan de Hus/Benetton Dream) is the product of a four-generation breeding program. What I'm loving about this is that Axel Windeler says he started out by making the exact same mistake many American breeders made when starting out with sport horse breeding: 

“I started breeding in 1977. I bought a riding horse, but she was not good, so I tried to breed…”

Always a great idea…

“Not a great idea ..."

To read the full article, click here.

Stress of Weaning Impacts Digestive Health of Foals

Had a stressful day? As taxing as it was, your anxiety was probably nothing compared to the stress foals experience during the weaning process. According to new research, weaning is one of the most stressful events in a horse’s life.

Weaning affects physiological, nutritional, and cognitive-behavioral responses. Regardless of technique, weaning commonly results in:

• Increased frequency of vocalizations;
• Increased general motor activity during the first few days;
• Altered feeding and sleeping patterns;
• Irritability, anxiousness, and aggressiveness;
• Suspension of normal play behavior;
• Elevated glucocorticoid (stress hormone) levels; and
• Weight loss, performance decline after weaning, and higher risk of infectious diseases.

“Based on the study by Mach and colleagues, increased circulating stress hormones can negatively impact the gastrointestinal tract of foals during weaning. Specifically, those hormones could alter the intestinal microbiome, potentially allowing for overgrowth of harmful organisms such as Escherichia coli,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

...

To read the full article, and related articles, click here.

Video from Hyperion Stud LLC

Hyperion Stud, LLC produced a lovely video of their farm, which was released this summer. The first in a series, this one introduces the guiding principles behind Hyperion. A beautiful farm, with stunning horses, Hyperion is well-filmed here, and the video is lovely to watch.

Watch the video on Hyperion's home page here: HyperionStudLLC (scroll down)

or click here to watch it on YouTube.