The Dressage at Devon committee recently announced that it is offering $10,000 in prize money for the Grand Prix Freestyle winners at the 2006 show, stating that it is believed to be the most prize money for an individual class ever offered at a dressage show in the United States. Prize money for the same class in 2005 was $5,000. The winner of that class was George Williams of Delaware, OH, on the Westphalian mare, Rocher.

“Despite the fact that dressage horses train longer than those in other disciplines, the prize money in dressage has lagged behind that in other disciplines," said committee member Melanie Sloyer. "Dressage at Devon has always been a pioneer in the dressage show arena, so the committee made the decision to increase the prize money in an effort to reward the best horses and riders from across the country. We have long been considered the number one show in the nation, and want to keep it that way!”


Dressage at Devon Spectators Get Plugged into Experts Insights
What makes a winner a winner? How does one top international competitor edge out another? Sometimes it is the subtleties that make all the difference. Dressage at Devon invites spectators to understand the edge with "Dressage with the Experts" as top trainers and judges explain each of the rides in select classes through radio-equipped audio headsets.

Dressage at Devon is one of the highest-rated dressage shows outside of Europe, featuring some of the world’s top dressage horses and riders in competition. Through "Dressage with the Experts," spectators will be privy to expert commentary as competitors perform in the arena. It is a unique opportunity to eavesdrop on observations and remarks by highly knowledgeable authorities in the field of dressage. Participating spectators hear the competition analyzed, hoof fall by hoof fall, while competing horses and riders are in the ring in front of them. The subtle differences that distinguish a good performance from a great one are highlighted, offering valuable insight to dressage riders and seasoned spectators, as well as those with little knowledge of this classical discipline.

"Dressage With the Experts" will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, during three classes each day. Tickets are $30 for one day, $45 for two days and $60 for three days, and will be available at the "Dressage with the Experts" pagoda in the Festival area of the show grounds. Radio commentaries can be heard anywhere on the fairgrounds, and limited reserved seating is available in the east grandstand.

The tentative schedule for Dressage with the Experts is as follows (however, the schedule is subject to change):
- Friday morning, FEI Prix St. Georges, Bob Orton. Orton is well-known for training and presenting stallions for approval, and showing horses from training through the FEI levels.
- Friday afternoon, FEI Grand Prix, Robert Dover. A six-time Olympian, Dover has won more dressage honors than any other American. He has earned the distinction of U.S. Olympic Committee Male Equestrian of the Year and is responsible for training numerous students to upper-level success.
- Friday evening, FEI Grand Prix, Jeanne McDonald. An FEI “C” and USEF “S” judge, McDonald is also an active breeder and competitor who has earned her USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medals.
- Saturday morning, FEI Intermediaire I, Kathy Connelly. A veteran World Cup finalist herself, Connelly has also trained numerous students to international success. She is also a USDF judge.
- Saturday afternoon, FEI Young Rider Test, Betsy Steiner. A veteran of the FEI World Equestrian Games, Steiner has numerous FEI grand prix sweeps to her credit. She is a respected trainer and author, and has served as an advisor to the U.S. Olympic Committee and United States Equestrian Team Dressage Committee.
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