Dressage at Devon is enjoying a great increase in sponsorship money for the 31st show, according to event chair Jim Hall. Sponsorship dollars have increased by one third, as veteran sponsors renew their commitments and new sponsors come on board.

“It has been a very exciting and challenging year,” says Kathi Olechowski, who took charge of Dressage at Devon sponsorships shortly before last year’s show. “Dressage has traditionally been the toughest sell of all equestrian events. Its explosion in popularity, and the recognition that it is so valuable across all disciplines, has made my job a little easier.” She also notes that having a well-known beneficiary that is highly-regarded in the community, such as Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc., also appeals to sponsors.

Champion sponsors, those at the highest level of commitment, include returning sponsors The Haverford Trust Company, Dressage Today/Practical Horseman, Equisearch.com, and new sponsor TD Waterhouse Investor Services. New sponsors are being recognized at the Gold, Silver, Bronze and other levels as well.

Gold Sponsors include Dansko, Inc., Euro-American Saddlery, Platinum Performance, Inc. Silver sponsors include Cosequin, Nutramax, Hermès of Paris, Iron Spring Farm and Mary Phelps/Market Insurance. At the Bronze level are Horse.dk, Freedom Health/Succeed, Hampton Green Farms, UlcerGard by Merial, Ltd and JPC. Custom Saddlery, HorseTech, Inc, Hornsby & Daws Families and Performance Saddlery have come on as Breed Show Grand Championship Sponsors. Ashley's Fine Equestrian Jewelry, The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Equissentials, Inc., Hampton Inn/Great Valley, Platinum Performance, Inc. Wyndham Valley Forge Suites and Chesapeake Dressage Institute are Blue Ribbon Sponsors.

Dressage at Devon is one of the largest and highest-rated equestrian events outside of Europe, bringing together top competitors, horses, trainers and judges from across the continent and around the globe. Dressage describes a rider’s harmonious development of the horse in both body and mind to increase suppleness, obedience and strength. The result is a breathtaking blend of power and artistry. Considered classical horsemanship, the roots of dressage can be traced back 2,400 years to classical Greece. Competition involves a series of movements based on a horse’s action, not unlike gymnastics or figure skating competitions. Dressage at Devon takes place September 27th through October 2nd at the Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA. For information, call 610-358-5785 or go to www.dressageatdevon.org.