2006 Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon Spectators Get Plugged into Experts Insights

Top dressage authorities offer commentary through audio headsets at 32nd Annual Dressage at Devon Horse Show September 26th through October 1st

What makes a winner a winner? How does one top international competitor edge out another? Sometimes it is the subtleties that make all the difference. Dressage at Devon invites spectators to understand the edge with Dressage with the Experts as top trainers and judges explain each of the rides in select classes through radio-equipped audio headsets.

Dressage at Devon is one of the highest-rated dressage shows outside of Europe, featuring some of the world’s top dressage horses and riders in competition. Dressage is an ancient form of classical horsemanship that is still part of the Olympic Games today. It is the ultimate test of a horse’s training and development, and a stunning example of the harmony that can exist between horse and rider. Through Dressage with the Experts, spectators will be privy to expert commentary as competitors perform in the arena. It is a unique opportunity to eavesdrop on observations and remarks by highly knowledgeable authorities in the field of dressage. Participating spectators hear the competition analyzed, hoof fall by hoof fall, while competing horses and riders are in the ring in front of them. The subtle differences that distinguish a good performance from a great one are highlighted, offering valuable insight to dressage riders and seasoned spectators as well as those with little knowledge of this classical discipline.

Dressage With the Experts will be offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, during three classes each day. Tickets are $30 for one day, $45 for two days and $60 for three days, and will be available at the Dressage with the Experts pagoda in the Festival area of the show grounds. Radio commentaries can be heard anywhere on the fairgrounds, and limited reserved seating is available in the east grandstand.

The tentative schedule for Dressage with the Experts is as follows. This schedule is subject to change:

Friday morning, FEI Prix St. Georges, Bob Orton. Orton is well-known for training and presenting stallions for approval, and showing horses from Training through the FEI levels.

Friday afternoon, FEI Grand Prix, Robert Dover. A six-time Olympian, Dover has won more dressage honors than any other American. He has earned the distinction of US Olympic Committee Male Equestrian of the Year and is responsible for training numerous students to upper level success.

Friday evening, FEI Grand Prix, Jeanne McDonald. An FEI “C” and USEF “S” judge, McDonald is also an active breeder and competitor who has earned her USDF bronze, silver and gold medals.

Saturday morning, FEI Intermediaire I, Kathy Connelly. A veteran World Cup Finalist herself, Connelly has also trained numerous students to international success. She is also a USDF judge.

Saturday afternoon, FEI Young Rider Test, Betsy Steiner. A veteran of the World Equestrian Games, Steiner has numerous FEI Grand Prix sweeps to her credit. She is a respected trainer and author, and has served as an advisor to the US Olympic Committee and USET Dressage Committee.

Saturday evening, Grand Prix Freestyle, Jessica Ransenhousen. Vice President for Dressage for the US Equestrian Team, Ransenhousen is an international and FEI dressage judge. A three-time Olympian, she served as Chef d’Equipe for the US Equestrian Team for several years. She was recently inducted into the USDF Hall of Fame.

Sunday morning, Grand Prix Special, Kem Barbosa. Barbosa is an “S” judge and equestrian author, currently competing her Russian warmblood at fourth level.

Sunday morning, FEI Young Rider Freestyle, Pam Wooding. Wooding has been judging dressage for three decades. An “R” judge, she trains and actively competes her own horses, as well as training young riders and adult amateurs at her NJ training facility.

Sunday afternoon, FEI Intermediaire Freestyle, (TBD).

Dressage with the Experts is sponsored by Hampton Green Farm of Fruitport, Michigan and Wellington, Florida. Hampton Green Farm is dedicated to the development of the Pure Spanish Horse for the discipline of dressage.

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