Opening Day at Dressage at Devon 2019

Warmblood Stallions of North America is proud to be a sponsor of Dressage at Devon!

September 24, 2019 (Devon, PA) - It doesn't get much cuter than watching foals as they first experience the Dixon Oval. But it's especially fun when it's under the shining sun!

Individual Breed Classes

From the adorable Haflingers to the impressive Hanoverians and Oldenburgs, more than 15 breeds showed attendees what careful breeding can do to develop and strengthen a breed. They were all winners but the top three scorers were:

Kandyvrowe (Glocks Toto Jr. x Fergievrouwe), a 2015 Hanoverian mare bred by M.Hendrikden-de-Rijk, and owned by Iron Spring Farm, earned the high score of 81.850.

Gypsy ISF (Tjalbert 460 x Goaitske fan e), a Friesian bred by Iron Spring Farm, scored a 80.60.

Sophistikate, a Hanoverian handled by Francine Gentile, was third high scorer with a score of 79.250.

Hanoverians, Oldenburgs, Dutch Warmbloods are familiar favorites. Others, while well-loved and appreciated by their owners and breeders, are not so well known. Take the Dutch Harness Horse for example. Also known as “Tuigpaard," Dutch Harness Horses are a warmblood breed of fine driving horses that began in the Netherlands after World War II. These work horses primarily worked in farms and fields; however, horse owners became intensely competitive and desired to breed the finest and most elegant horse as horses were a status symbol to farmers when they would visit the town.

As a result, breeders aimed to produce a refined, high-stepping horse that is easily recognizable. With only 40 sires and less than 2,000 broodmares, there are not many of this breed. Characteristics of the Dutch Harness Horse are: high carriage, long moment of suspension in trot, broad foreleg movement with high knee action, and powerful carrying ability.

When Aaron Jay Fisher, six-year breeder of Dutch Harness Horses was asked “why this breed?” he answered, “This breed is one of my favorite to work with because of their easygoing nature and movements. Their happy character makes training and working with them easy.” And they do well in the dressage world because of their unique movement, specifically their strong hind end working to push their front end into an extension, according to Fisher.

Of course, every horse has a story but some are a bit more unusual than others.  Take Aurora, who showed in the Filly of the Current Year class with her adopted mom Cara Mia. Aurora (know as Ora) is the third filly by Luminere, a PMU filly adopted by Mary Ann Luke of Silver Fern Farm. Wednesday’s forecast looks great. Classes will feature three-, four- and five-year-old Materiale, Foal, Filly, Colt, Mare, Stallion, and Mature Horse championships. See if you can pick the Grand Champion! Plus join Jonathan Clark from Select Breeding Services during the dinner break in the picnic area. Stop by the Silent Auction, and sample some of the great food!

The 2019 Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.org) is happening now through September 29 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. For reserved seating, visit dressageatdevon.org/box-office.

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.