Dressage at Devon, which runs from Sept. 25-30 at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Pennsylvania, is in full swing, and the action is heating up.
The competitor’s roster for the show reads like a Who’s Who of the equestrian world. Olympians like Lars Petersen from Denmark and Ashley Holzer from Canada in the Grand Prix, as well as local favorites such as KYW Newsradio personality Susan Springsteen in the Intermediaire I, make the show an area tradition.
“Dressage at Devon attracts quality competitors, which makes it really fun to watch,” says Devon’s Chairman of the Board Jim Hall. “Visitors return year after year because they know they are going to see some of the best horses in North America.”
Several other horse and rider combinations are drawing attention. Karin Reid Offield will be riding the FEI World Cup Dressage Finals Reserve Champion Lingh. The pair has participated in a few shows, but this will be the first time the duo will be seen by such a large audience.
Another entry generating excitement is last year’s Grand Prix winner Courtney King with Idocus. “Courtney is a crowd favorite,” Hall says. “The entire crowd rides every step with her.” King is well known for reaching the pinnacle of the sport through hard work, years of persistence and a wonderful attitude. American team bronze medalist at the 2006 World Championships Leslie Morse has made the haul from California to compete with her international partner Tip Top 962.
Dressage at Devon was founded by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association 30 years ago. The show is now a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The six-day event attracts more than 700 horses and 35,000 spectators each year. Dressage at Devon benefits Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Inc., the oldest and largest therapeutic riding program in the nation
Highlights of the 2007 Dressage at Devon include:
September 25-27:
Numerous breed classes and championships
FEI Young Horse Tests
Shopping
September 28 (Ladies Hat Day):
Prix St. Georges 9:40 a.m.
Grand Prix for Special 3:45 p.m.
Grand Prix for Freestyle 7:15 p.m.
September 29:
Intermediaire I 8:00 a.m.
Grand Prix Freestyle 8:00 p.m.
September 30:
Mimosas on the Midway 11:00 a.m-2:00 p.m.
Grand Prix Special 12:45
Intermediaire I Freestyle 3:35 p.m.
Numerous exhibitions are also featured throughout the event. The show opens each day at 8:00 a.m. A complete schedule of events and entries can be found at www.DressageatDevon.org. Extensive shopping and refreshments are available daily on the grounds. Tickets are $8. Children under 12 are free.