Devon, PA – The world-famous breed show at Devon began today with some of the world’s most exciting dressage prospects present. Except for the specifically designated Individual Breed Classes, all classes were open to horses of any breed and horses could compete without regard to color, size, pedigree, or origin.
The Young Horse/Sport Horse classes included all horses up to and including three years of age. “The breeding of sport horses in the United States has taken a quantum leap in the last decade,” said Melanie Sloyer, Breed Division Chairperson. “Today set the stage for a great 2011 show.”
Shining brightly in 2011 to capture top honors of the USDF/Great American Insurance Group Colt Championship was Dorian Gray owned by Erin Brooke Freedman and bred by BCM Bosman Muller. Reserve Champion went to Schigazzo, bred and owned by Lea Ann Hansen.
Dazzle, bred by Victoria Lamas Wanner and owned by Taylor Minnucci, did not disappoint in 2011. This animated three-year old filly was close on El Paso ISF’s tail in 2010. “She is always wanting to show and not afraid to give it her all. She wants to dazzle!” commented Bruce Griffin, handler, after winning not just the 2011 Young Horse Champion but also the USDF/Great American Insurance Group Filly Championship. Reserve Champion went to Bahia Breeze, owned by Michelle Ryan.
With some steep competition in the USDF Foal Championship class Cha Ching, from Hilltop Farm Inc. owned by Jane McElree, outshone 14 other competitors. With Dior CCF by Donarweiss CCF and Akino receiving Reserve Champion. General Manager of Hilltop Natalie Diberardinis said, “Dressage at Devon is in Jane’s back yard, so it is always exciting to win a class here, much less a championship. We are very, very pleased with him.” Cha Ching is part of a family of winners from Hilltop Farm that include Comtesse, her dam, and Contucci, her sire.
Tomorrow’s exciting Breed Division classes include the Mare Championship, the Stallion Championship, the Mature Horse Championship, the Materiale Championship and more. Dressage at Devon runs through Sunday, October 2.
Complete results and more information is available at www.dressageatdevon.org.
About Dressage at Devon
Dressage at Devon (www.dressageatdevon.org) has been the premier North American Equestrian event since its founding by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association in 1975, and became a separate organization in 2006. 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 more than 700 horses and 35,000 spectators each year.
Dressage at Devon, a 501(c) (3) PA non-profit organization, benefits Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Inc., the oldest and largest therapeutic riding program in the nation. Since 1991, Dressage at Devon has raised in excess of $1,000,000 for Thorncroft.