2005 Dressage at Devon

2005 Dressage at Devon Introduces Model Horse Show

Dressage Challenge, judged by Janine Malone, is the first ever model class judged by a USEF dressage judge. Sunday, October 2nd

Devon, PA (September 15, 2005)—Dressage at Devon has made history in the past and 2005 will be no exception. As a special addition to the 31st Dressage at Devon Horse Show, the event will host a model horse show. The model show, which includes open and novice divisions, will be held in the Devon Hospitality room from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

USEF Dressage “R” judge Janine Malone has agreed to judge the special Dressage Challenge class. Entrants will present their best dressage model and compete for a cash purse. Dressage at Devon co-chair Melanie Sloyer, who is credited with bringing the model show to the Devon grounds, says, “As far as anyone knows, this is the first time a qualified dressage judge is judging a model dressage class. We’re thrilled to be bringing this new dimension of equestrian activity to the show grounds.” Bobbi Devine, a model horse show competitor and creator of custom model horse accessories, is manager for the event.

In a model competition, competitors carefully research breeds and tack, and outfit models with realistic, in-scale tack, right down to the stitch marks and tiny buckles. Says Devine, “Model horse collectors are tied together by the love of all things equine. Some of us have been fortunate enough to own a real horse or pony, while others have had to make do with our plastic horses.” In some competitions, models are fabricated or altered, but the Dressage at Devon model event will be an Original Finish show, which means models competing must have the original factory finish. Devine explains that model shows try to replicate real horse shows as closely as possible. “We cannot make our horses actually enter the arena at “A,” stop and salute at “X,” but we can create a still-life, sort of a snapshot of that moment.”

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