48 48 Years of Innovation and Education with Dressage at Devon

As Dressage at Devon approaches its Golden 50th Anniversary, the now world-renowned event which casts its magic once a year for six action-packed days of competition, camaraderie, and education, looks back at its grassroots beginnings, embracing the forward thinking mentality that has helped the show evolve and thrive as one of the only dressage USEF Heritage Competition in the country.

The original idea

that eventually led to the founding of Dressage at Devon was born in 1965 when riding enthusiasts begged the question, “How come the kids get to have all the fun?” Their vision to form an adult pony club caught on and the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association or “DVCTA” was born. The mission of the club was to provide instruction and training for members and to educate and demonstrate dressage to the public. Dressage at Devon “DaD” credits the late Pat Franco with the idea of hosting DaD at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in 1975.

The three cornerstones of the event draw on every level of equestrian enthusiasts. From the world-class dressage competition for the advanced rider and spectator, to curious families in the area wishing to take their kids on a trip they will never forget, Dressage at Devon prides itself on having an event for each and every attendee. In their effort to continuously host a better and better event each year that outdoes the last, this year the Dressage at Devon schedule is more exciting than ever before.

The action kicks off at Dressage at Devon, presented by Kingsview Partners, on Tuesday, September 26th, with the Breed Division. Drawing on breeders, handlers, and some of the best bred horses in the United States and Canada, the DaD breed show is one of the largest dressage-based open breed shows in the world offering Individual Breed Classes “IBCs” as well as foal, filly, stallion, mare, pony, and many more divisions. Each class and division leads to the highly-anticipated overall Grand Championship. The Dressage at Devon Breed Division is both a USDF Breeders Championship Series Qualifier and East Coast Final with each day of breed competition providing another opportunity to vie for a championship spot in the USDFBCS East Coast Final.

As the Breed Division competition closes out on Thursday, the buzz and electricity of the Performance Division sets in, opening up one of the most exciting weekends in the sport of dressage. Including CDI and national level classes, as well as classes for Children, Ponies, juniors, Young Riders, Under 25 (U25), Adult Amateur, and CDI 1*, 2*, 3*. The Performance Division is four days of some of the best dressage competition in the country set with the historic Devon Horse Show Grounds as a backdrop.

Classes on Thursday and Friday lead up to the highlight class of the week, the CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night set under the lights of the iconic Dixon Oval. Serving as the first World Cup qualifier of the season, the energy of the Grand Prix Musical Freestyle at Dressage at Devon is like no other in the U.S. More closely related to that of European-style competition, the night class is not only a crowd favorite, but also a competitor favorite drawing in legendary riders such as Ashley Holzer, Michael Bargdell,

Jacqueline Brooks, Lindsay Kellock, Jessica Jo Tate, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, and Alice Tarjan to name a few.

While the competition serves as the backbone of the horse show, the specialty events add a new and exciting layer of entertainment for all exhibitors - aiding in what makes up the “magic” of Dressage at Devon. This year, DaD is thrilled to announce the return of the Master Class following last year’s inaugural eventwith Olympic silver medalist, Sabine Schut-Kery. Unlike a traditional “clinic,” the Dressage at Devon Master Classes are hosted by Olympians, while fellow top international athletes serve as demo riders in this elite-level educational event.

This year, Dressage at Devon is thrilled to announce The NorCordia Dressage at Devon 2023 Master Class Presented by Running ‘S’ Equine Veterinary Services, hosted by Danish Olympian and World No. 2 Rider, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour. On Thursday evening, Sept. 28th, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, who is a favorite for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games, will teach this year’s round of demo riders including

Catherine Haddad Staller, Lauren Sammis, Hope Cooper, Hope Beerling, Lindsay Kellock, Natalie Pai, as well as the wild card, three-time Olympic Eventer, Boyd Martin.

In addition to The NorCordia Dressage at Devon 2023 Master Class Presented by Running ‘S’ Equine Veterinary Services, DaD is introducing a new event this year, the Dressage at Devon Dance Off. On Friday September 29th, pairs of elite Grand Prix dressage riders will “battle” and “dance off” to live music! Sure to bring new meaning to competing under the lights in the Dixon Oval, horse-and-rider pairs will go head-to-head in a new and innovative breakdancing competition – for horses. The pairs will duel against one another to contemporary, LIVE music, with a panel of cele- brity judges providing numerical marks and live commentary to determine the victor. Each round of battle will result in a winner who will proceed to a one-tempi challenge, which will determine our 2023 Dance Off Champion. Unofficial spectator judging will also be offered as a way of engaging the already excited and electric crowd.

The final pillar of the foundation of Dressage at Devon is one near and dear to the hearts of those that have helped make the show what it is today: education. DaD has always made it a core mission to educate the public and the equestrian on the art of dressage and horsemanship. This year, Dressage at Devon is hosting countless educational opportunities including talks and lectures such as: Training Your Eye to Evaluate the Horse’s Biomechanics with Hilary Clayton, Positive Reinforcement for dressage horses with Shawna Karrasch, and a special appearance by the New Bolton Center who will speak on the path to vet school during Dressage Explorers Day, sponsored by the Grier School on Sunday. Other educational opportunities include a tour of the cutting-edge New Bolton Center mobile vet truck, as well as the New Bolton Center Vet Forum.

Beyond the impressive educational opportunities and world-class competition , With the stage set on the country’s most historic showgrounds, Dressage at Devon is all about FUN. From the beloved Fall Festival, to nightly cocktail parties and receptions, to the Hat Contest, and Dressage Explorers Day, sponsored by the Grier School, each day at Dressage at Devon is as well-rounded as it is entertaining.

For more information on Dressage at Devon, presented by Kingsview Partners visit, https://dressageatdevon.org/.