September 27, 2013 (Devon, PA) – The sun shone down on record crowds today at Dressage at Devon as spectators and dressage enthusiasts enjoyed whimsical hats, fabulous fare, exciting exhibition riding and fierce competitive rides.
 
Winning Hats Feature Feathers and Flowers
Friday afternoon brought the annual Ladies’ Hat Contest sponsored by Dark Horse Chocolates and The Engraver. After entrants displayed their haberdashery in the Dixon Oval, Jennifer Reed, a radio personality from 92.5 WXTU/Philadelphia, announced the three winners. 
Tiffany Arey, of Collegeville, Pennsylvania has dominated the ‘Prettiest Hat’ category for the last three years. After working on her hat for the last month, she once again walked away with the award. Her hat was double brimmed with ivory sinamay straw and trimmed in black and white. She decorated it with homemade black and ivory flowers and butterflies made of feathers, and finished it with a black veil. Tiffany had ordered a dress especially for the occasion that complemented the hat. When it did not arrive in time, she had to scramble to put together a new outfit– a white suit, black bag, and black shoes and stockings. With the help of a Dressage at Devon vendor, she named the hat and overall look ‘split decision.’
Stephanie Dahne of West Chester, Pennsylvania, in her second year of competition, took home the ‘Most Creative’ award. Her silk-wrapped, wide-brimmed Victorian-style hat was decorated with blue, fuchsia, and yellow flowers and feathers. Stephanie’s skirt inspired the colors for her hat and she mirrored them throughout her outfit and accessories. Accents ranged from gold jewelry and floral-decorated shoes to her dog, Dutch, who wore a matching hat and a leash interwoven with ribbons in the three colors. 
 
Sarah Ford of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania captured the ‘Most Unusual’ hat award. She competed side by side with her friend, Beth Beverly, who had created the hat made of a Guinea hen’s wing. Beth, a taxidermist, likes to celebrate an animal’s splendor by incorporating it into a thing of beauty rather than simply hanging it on a wall as a trophy.  It’s her final tribute to animals that have lost their lives. She loves bringing her creations to Dressage at Devon where animal lovers are receptive and curious to learn about the species used in her creations.
 
Holzer Sweeps Grand Prix Special and Freestyle
 
Ashley Holzer, from Canada, and her Swedish Warmblood, Jewel’s Adelante, garnered first place in the FEI Grand Prix Open (Grand Prix Special). The four- time Olympian first entered the Grand Prix ring in the early1980s and competed in individual dressage at the 2012 Games. Jewel’s Adelante has competed at Grand Prix level since 2012.
 
Ashley was also winner of the FEI Grand Prix Open (Grand Prix Freestyle) with a score of 72.83 on Breaking Dawn. “Devon is really it when it comes to the old traditional show,” she said. “To come into this ring is really special. It is an incredible ride for me.”
 
From Tragedy to Triumph
 
Silva Martin and her husband, Boyd, have made an impressive comeback from devastation two years ago when they lost six horses in a fire. In the same year both their fathers died. This year Silva is riding eight different horses, three of which are homebred, in more than16 classes. Boyd, an eventer, had always wanted to try dressage. On Wednesday, September 25, he took a stab at the 5-Year Old Dressage Suitability class and came in an impressive second on Dhouble Scoop. Silva, who has been competing at Dressage at Devon for six years, says she loves it. It is, at least partially, because she can go home at night to sleep in her own bed in nearby Cochranville, Pennsylvania, but also she enjoys the combination of tradition, competition, spectating, shopping, and eating all in one place. 
 
Other Show Highlights
Nancy Lewis-Stanton and her mount, Bellatesse HTF (Bugatti Hilltop x EM Comtesse), a chestnut Hanoverian, took the blue ribbon in the USEF Young Horse Test for 4 Year Olds. The horse is owned by Chris Schuler of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania.
Nadine Buberl rode Dr. Cesar Parra’s gelding, Fashion Designer Old (Faustinus x Hauptstutbuch Forst Design), to a win in the FEI Young Horse Test for 5 Year Olds with an impressive score of 89.4.
In the FEI Young Horse Test for 6 Year Olds, Wanja Gerlach rode Ribery 20 (Sinclair x Sacro Santa), a bay Oldenburg stallion, to the top of the class.
Barbara (Bebe) Davis paired with Rotano, a Hanoverian dark bay gelding owned by Michael and Sarah Davis, for a win in the FEI Junior Team Test. 
Saturday
The forecast for Saturday, September28 at Dressage at Devon is sunny skies and full grandstands. Highlights will include Tommie Turvey performances and exciting FEI competition topped off by the always thrilling FEI Grand Prix Freestyle.
About Dressage at Devon
Dressage at Devon, the highest-rated international dressage competition held outside of Europe, combines world-class international dressage competition and one of the world’s few complete sport horse breed shows with the family fun of an International Fall Festival, featuring food and shopping for all tastes.

Devon, PA – The Breed Division ended with the Individual Breed Classes, featuring19 breeds of all sizes, colors and shapes with one thing in common – they were all the best of their breeds.
 
German Oldenburg’s Dance at Dressage at Devon  
The Grand Champion and USDF Mare Champion of the 2013 Breed Show was the eye-catching 2008 German Oldenburg mare Sanibelle by Sir Donnerhall I out of Lunar Wind by Lorke-Der Radetzky, bred by Louise Rascoe, owned by Susan Craft. In the Materiale Championship, the dynamic 2008 German Oldenburg mare Verb.Pr.St.
La Belladonna by Hofrat out of Verb.Pr.St. La Donnarina by Donnerhall-Pik Bube, bred and owned by Nancy Holowesko of Crosiadore Farm took the Reserve Grand Championship of all Materiale mares, stallions and geldings. The Breeders Group Class was won by German Oldenburg breeder Mo Swanson of Rolling Stone Farm who presented a lovely group of horses that bested the groups from the other top farms in the country. The German Oldenburg Verband class was one of the largest IBC classes at Devon in 2013 and was won by Totil Hit by Totilas out of Stellar Hit by Sandro Hit-Wolkentanz II, bred and owned by Sherry and Don Smith. Totil Hit was also presented the beautiful bronze Donnerhall Perpetual Trophy for the Highest Scoring German Oldenburg by Verband employee Emily Yeomans. 

German Oldenburg horses are the ideal mounts for dressage with their elegant, modern looks, outstanding gaits and kind rideability. The enormous international success of the breed is built upon generations of continual advancement, proven dam-lines and strict breed standards.
 
Appaloosa Sport Horse 
Troubadour is a true winner in more than one way. Not only did he go home with the blue, he came close to not being born at all.

One day, when Maat van Ulitert, of Maat van Ulitert Dressage, was on Facebook, she saw a picture of an appaloosa mare in the slaughter pen at New Holland.  “She was super skinny, looked pregnant and was alone.” Maat’s empathy took the lead and she went directly to New Holland to rescue the mare. And, as it turned out, she was right – a week later Troubadour was born.
 
Despite the fact that Maat breeds warm bloods, she just fell in love with the appaloosa foal. And they came to Devon. They are now on their way back home to Florida. And they’re leaving with a blue ribbon.
 
What are her plans for Troubadour? “It’s hard to tell at this age but, dressage is for every horse!”
 
Knabstrupper 
Legend has it that, while at war in Spain, a soldier was so enamoured of a chestnut mare with a blanket marking that he rode her all the way back to Denmark and the rest, as they say, is history. Whether or not this is true, the Knabstrupper is believed to have originated from the pre-history spotted horses of the region of Europe know know as Spain, the Knabstrupper is one of the oldest breed registries in Europe. Today, eight were featured in the Dixon Oval.
 
Often mistaken for an appaloosa (and the blood lines do include apaloosas), the striking “leopard” Knabstrupper is white with black spots, though not all Knabstruppers are spotted. They were used in war for centuries until, explains Melyni Worth, PhD, Cedar Creek Stables, Staunton, VA, rifles were invented at which point the markings simple made them too easy a target.

“The Knabstrupper is the ubiquitous farm/work horse of Denmark,” said Worth. “They are easy keepers – tough and sound – with good temperments.” Today there are only about 1,500 Knabstruppers in the world but, if these dedicated breeders have anything to say about it, that number will rise quickly.

Additional Highlights
The Performance Division began tonight with the USEF Fourth Level Test of Choice O Great American Insurance Group/USDF Qualifier, was won by Aragon (DanWB sire), a 17.0 dark bay gelding with a score of 70.286. Aragon was ridden by Sahar Daniel Hirosh and owned by Francis Murphy of Doylestown, PA.
 
The FEI YH Test for 5 Year Olds was won by Fashion Designer Old, (Faustinus x Hauptstutbuch Forst Design), a 5 year old Oldenburg ridden by Nadine Buberl and owned by Dr. Cesar Parra.
 
Performance classes continue in high gear on Day 4 including additional USEF Tests for 4, 5, and 6 year olds. FEI Intemediaire, the Grand Prix Qualifier for the Grand Prix Special, the Grand Prix Qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle and many more top-level dressage performances.

And, not only is Friday is Ladies Hat Day, it is the first day of exciting exhibitions including the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association Quadrille Team and Tommie Turvey, equine stuntman extraordinaire.
 
About Dressage at Devon
Dressage at Devon, the highest-rated international dressage competition held outside of Europe, combines world-class international dressage competition and one of the world’s few complete sport horse breed shows with the family fun of an International Fall Festival, featuring food and shopping for all tastes.

Devon, PA — Another gorgeous day at Dressage at Devon as the 2013 breed show continued. 
 
Friesians Take Their Place
 
Over the past few years, Friesians have become more popular in the dressage world and, with feathers flying, made their way into the winner’s circle more than once in the 2013 Dressage at Devon Breed Show. Jupiter ISF (Maeije 440 x Cleo van het Binnenveld), bred by Iron Spring Farm was Reserve Champion in the Devon Colt/ Gelding Championship. He also placed third in the Great American/USDF Colt Final and 2nd in the 2 Year Old Colt/Gelding class. 
 
Nynke Ris, by Brend 413 and Yfke fan Fjildsicht, by Harmen 424, also, Iron Spring Friesians, held their own with the more popular warmbloods, getting 4th and 5th respectively in the Four Year old and older Broodmare class.
 
The Iron Spring Horses didn’t stop there. Izara ISF and Isadora ISF were first and second place winners in Fillies of 2013 class. They were also Champion and Reserve Champion in both the Devon Foal Championship and Great American/USDF Foal Final. Izara and Isadora are full sisters, born in the same year through embryo transfer, by UB40 out of Watch Me, Elite/Sport by Sir Sinclair. 
 
German Riding Pony
 
Another unusual breed winner was Cinderella, a 14-hand buckskin German Riding Pony (Champion de Luxe x Golden Rock), ridden by Erin Brook Freedman of EBF Sport Horses based in Oak Hill, VA. It’s an unusual breed that caught Erin’s attention while she lived in Germany. When a client, a petite amateur, was looking for a horse, Erin thought it might be a perfect match. She was right. She traveled to Germany, found a horse for her client and, together with Highland View Farms, brought Cinderella home too, early in 2013. It was a great choice. Dressage at Devon was only Cinderella’s second show and she went home with a blue in the Suitable to Become a Dressage Horse – 6 Year Olds.
 
Show Highlights
 
Other highlights of the show included:
.  Watch Me (Sir Sinclair x Swensie) was the winner of the Produce of Dam and bred by Iron Spring Farm.
- Diamond Girl (Don Principe x Royal Gem), bred by Maryanna Haymon of Columbus, NC led the Mare Championships – Great American/USDFBC Q class.
- Don Principe (Donnerhall x SPS Pappagena), bred by Maryanna Haymon, and a name last year’s attendees will remember, took home the blue in the Get of Sire class.
- Born in the USA (BITUSA) was won by a 3-year old filly, Rosa Parks (Rousseau x EM Ryan), with a score of 84.0. Rosa Parks is owned and bred by Kristine Pinto.
 
And then the was Sanibelle (Sir Donnerhall x Lunar Wind), a beautiful, 17.1 hand, grey mare, Grand Champion of the 2013 Dressage at Devon Breed Division, and winner of The Curtis Paul Cheyney, Jr., Memorial Trophy. Sanibelle (GOV) is owned by Susan Craft of Elon, NC.
 
And while there were plenty more 4-footed winners, young Phoenix Blum, winner of the Junior/Young Handler was one of the few winners with just 2 feet.
 
Michael Bragdell, a trainer at Hilltop Farm, Inc (Colora, MD) was pleased with their results as will, taking home multiple ribbons. A first place ribbon was won by Regalia (RoyalPrince x Corthena) in the Four Year Old and Older Broodmares. Then there was Cha Ching HTF , winner of the 2-year old Colts and Gelding class on Tuesday and who Michael is looking forward to starting under saddle next year. Michael was in the ring quite a bit, handling 25 horses over the three days. “I love Dressage at Devon,” said Michael who has been coming here for 17 years. “There is no comparison between Dressage at Devon and other shows.

FEI.

In my first meeting in Lausanne with the FEI Bureau after my election in 2006, I proposed limiting FEI Presidents to two four-year terms. I suggested that reform, which was later adopted as an FEI Statute, because it is essential to ensure fresh thinking and avoid a sense of entitlement within the leadership of an International Sport Federation.
Whilst I very much appreciate and am honoured by efforts of the FEI Regional Group Chairpersons and the National Federations to amend the FEI Statutes to permit me, or any FEI President to seek a third term, my views on the benefits of a two-term limit have not changed since the day I was elected. I love being FEI President. I am passionate about the work and our sport. I love the people I work with at the National Federations and at headquarters.
However, I cannot in good conscience put aside my beliefs and the commitment I made seven years ago now that the term limit I supported applies to me. I am deeply grateful to all the National Federations that favour changing the Statutes to allow me a third term. I am confident they will understand why I feel I must keep my word when my current term ends next year.
I was first elected to this job seven years ago because our National Federations wanted transparency, good governance and change and I promised a transformational presidency. Together, through thick and thin, we have achieved more than 80% of all pledges laid down in my manifesto and programme in an open, democratic and transparent manner. I am so very proud of the people who worked together with me to achieve this.
My focus in my final year in office is on delivering the remaining pledges. I will complete this shared mission with respect, determination and energy — and with the support of the entire community and above all the help from 132 National Federations.
I intend to leave the FEI in November 2014 knowing that our International Federation is fit for the future. I will work as hard as ever towards that goal until my final day in office. And then I will step aside, confident that I have done the right thing.

Equine Canada.

For the second time in less than two months, Canadian dressage riders topped the leaderboard in Saugerties, NY, this time at the New England Dressage Association (NEDA) Fall Festival of Dressage CDI-W Y/J Saugerties held at the HITS Show grounds, September 19-22.
Four-time Olympian and Toronto native Ashley Holzer, currently residing in New York, USA repeated her winning performances from August, to secure first place again this weekend in both the FEI CDI Grand Prix and FEI CDI Grand Prix Special aboard Eliane Cordia-Van Reesema’s Jewel’s Adelante, a 13-year-Old Swedish Warmblood gelding sired by Don Schufro. The pair earned a final score of 71.149% for their efforts in the Grand Prix test and 71.563% in the Grand Prix Special.
“I have had Jewel’s Adelante since the April and I love riding him,” said Holzer. “He is such a fun horse and he really does want to do his very best. I feel very lucky to be able to canter down the centerline on such a talented horse. ”
David Marcus of Campbellville, ON and his 2012 Olympic partner, Chrevi’s Capital, Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic’s 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding sired by Chrevi’s Lavallo, came in second behind Holzer in both classes earning 69.298% in the Grand Prix, and 71.083% in the Special. Tom Dvorak of Hillsburgh, ON and Viva`s Salieri W, Augustin Walch`s 12-year-old Hanoverian stallion sired by Viva Voltaire, rounded out the top five in the Special earning 66.979% for their efforts.
Two-time Olympian Jacqueline Brooks of Cedar Valley, ON danced D Niro, Brookhaven Inc’s 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding sired by D-Day, to second place in the Grand Prix Freestyle earning a final score of 72.325%. Marcus led his second mount of the event, Don Kontes, Deborah Kinzinger Miculinic’s 13-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding sired by Don Schufro, to sixth place in the Freestyle on a final score of 70.100%.
In the Prix St. Georges, Brittany Fraser of New Glasgow, NS and her partner, All In, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by Tango, once again took first place earning a final score of 73.289%. Fellow Canadian Chris Von Martels, of Ridgetown, ON rode Zilverstar, his nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood sired by Rousseau, to a third place finish with a score of 69.298%. Megan Lane of Loretto, ON took fourth aboard Lucky Lemon, Deer Ridge Equestrian`s nine-year-old Hanoverian sired by Lemon Park, with a score of 68.684%, and rounding out the top five was Jill Irving of Moncton, NB and Winhaven Farms’ Dio Mio, a 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding sired by De Niro, achieving a score of 67.982%.
“I am so happy with my horse, All In, he felt amazing in the ring and really performed,” commented Fraser. “I am looking forward to Devon this coming weekend.”
Fraser and All In earned 73.684% to win the Intermediaire 1 class, taking their second first place finish in the event and their second win in the Intermediaire 1 class in the Saugerties series. Maya Markowski of St. Clements, ON repeated her second place finish as well, aboard Lumiere, her 10-year-old Canadian Warmblood sired by Lynx, this time earning a final score of 69.342%. Lane and Lucky Lemon took fourth scoring 68.553% and Evi Strasser of Ste Adele, QC rounded out the top four Canadian performances earning 66.228% aboard her own Rigaudon Tyme, a nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding sired by Rosario.
Markowski and Lumiere went on to earn 72.375% in the Intermediaire I Freestyle finishing in second while Tom Dvorak showing his second mount of the competition, Ribot, Carla Bahr’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding sired by Riverman, took fourth with a score of 69.125%.
CDI-W Ground Jury for the event consisted of; Maribel Alonso de Quinzanos MEX/ FEI 5*, Axel Steiner USA / FEI 5*, Francis Verbeek NED / FEI 5*, Lois Yukins USA / FEI 4*, Anne Prain FRA / FEI 4*, Anne Gribbons USA/FEI 4*.

DAD.

Devon, PA – Under the shining sun, young horses strutted, trotted (and every once in awhile) bucked in the Dixon Oval on the first day of the Dressage at Devon Breed Show.
 
“It’s a full house this year,” said Melanie Sloyer, Chair of the Breed Sbow. “We have more than 300 youngsters showing, with 20 different breeds in the IBC classes on Thursday.”
 
Days 1 – 3 are the world-renowned Breed Show with Young Horse/Sport Horse, Mature Horse/Breeding Horse, and Under Saddle Classes for horses 3 years and up.  Weighting of scores for Young Horse classes is based 60% on movement, 30% on confirmation, and 10% on general impression.
 
While all the classes are exciting (especially with unpredictable youngsters), today’s Championship classes were a high point.
 
There were many outstanding youngsters competing throughout the day. The Filly Championship was won by Iron Spring Farm’s (Coatesville, PA) Floraya ISF (Florianus 2 x Toraya), a beautiful chestnut filly.
 
Those who were at Dressage at Devon last year will remember Cha Ching (Contucci x Comtesse) from the winner’s circle. Bred by Hilltop Farm he returned this year as the winner of the Colt/Gelding Championship.
 
The Foal Championship was won by the lovely Isadora ISF (UB40 x Watch Me), another chestnut filly from Iron Spring Farm.

NEDA.

This year’s Fall Symposium will feature popular clinician Christoph Hess from Germany. Christoph first came to New England for the 2009 NEDA Spring Symposium. While at the time a relatively unknown name in the U.S., Christoph’s credentials and easy-going manner soon made him a household name. Hess is an FEI 4* Judge and heads the department of education at the German National Federation (DOKR). He’s been a featured writer for Dressage Today and was a panelist of the 2013 Global Forum, N.A. this past winter in Florida.
 
Due to a busy fall competition calendar and the addition of the USDF National Dressage Championships scheduled for the first week of November, this year’s Fall Symposium was moved to the last weekend in September. Cost to attend the 2-day symposium for NEDA members is $68/day or $110 for both days if you register by September 17th. After September 17th, cost is $75/day or $135 for both days. Lunch will be available if pre-ordered. Non-member prices are $80/Day or $160 for both days and after September 17th prices are $95/day and $190 for both days.
 
Riders for this symposium have been chosen by Mr. Hess. The rider list will be published on the NEDA website before the end of August. The format of the symposium may include discussion of theory with a Power Point presentation, live rides with discussion and presentation of training methods, and test riding with commentary on quality (performance of horse and rider) and execution (actual riding of the test). Watch the NEDA website, bulletin board and Facebook page for ongoing announcements and details.
 
Special room rates are available at the Comfort Inn, South Portland, Maine (207-775-0409) and at the Freeport Comfort Suites (207-865-9300). Please ask for the NEDA rate and book by August 25, 2013 to ensure rate. There are also many additional hotels and motels in the Portland, Freeport, and Lewiston/Auburn area.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Marie DiBiccari, mdibiccari@aol.com. .
Auditor questions should be directed to Elizabeth Creamer, ecreamer@pinelandfarms.org, 207-657-6419.
All other questions, including rider questions, can be directed to Jennifer Dillon at 508-641-3121 or fallsym@neda.org (please put NEDA Fall Symposium in the subject line).

NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER SEPTEMBER 17, 2013. Parking will be available at The Equestrian Center; use the Pineland Farms website for directions (www.pinelandfarms.org). There are limited choices for lunch away from the Pineland Farms campus, so it’s recommended you bring your own lunch or pre-purchase sandwiches with your registration.

SPECIAL NOTICE!: Pineland Farms has installed a new sound system, complete with special speakers and hi-tech microphones so that there is less echoing in the building. Bottom line is that there is at least 90% less echo with the way the new speakers have been installed.

Pineland Farms Equestrian Center offers a heated indoor arena capable of holding a full size dressage arena and seating for 1,000+ auditors. It’s a mere 2 hours from Boston, just 60 miles from the Portsmouth, NH area, and no more than 30 minutes north of Portland, Maine. They will have plenty of on-site parking for most (if not all) auditors, sponsors, and riders.

There will be a large, heated vendor area for shopping and gathering during the catered lunch. On-site , group housing is available for sponsors, vendors, auditors, and volunteers, and there will be a group rate at hotels in Portland, Freeport, and Lewiston/Auburn.

Communication regarding receipt of your registration will be done via email so please provide a valid email address. If you do not use email, please don’t give an address; we’ll contact you by phone instead. TICKETS WILL NOT BE MAILED IN ADVANCE. All auditors will pick up their auditor packet, using their first & last name, on the first day of their attendance. If you are registering for a group of people, please complete a separate form for each person as packets will be distributed to individuals only.

Lunch ~ $12 each sandwich, each day.
All sandwich choices will be served with bottled water and will feature Boar’s Head meats, Pineland Farms cheeses and locally grown produce and breads.

Garden Wrap (avacado, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion, Monterey Jack cheese, hummus)
BLT (lettuce, tomato, Applewood smoked bacon with mayo on white bread)
Turkey Salad (turkey with mayo, celery, onion, cranberries, walnuts, splash of OJ, lettuce on wheat)
Classic Tuna (Albacore tuna with mayo, celery, carrot, dash of lemon juice with lettuce on wheat)

Cup of soup ~ $3.50 each soup each day.
Soups are made on-site daily at The Market
Saturday: Chicken Pot Pie or Fish Chowder
Sunday: Chicken Noodle or Loaded Baked Potato