August 8, 2011–Every year, Dressage at Devon brings top competitors, horses, trainers and judges together for one of the highest-rated international dressage competitions and the most complete breed show outside of Europe.
In 2011, Dressage at Devon takes place September 27-October 3 at the Devon Horse Show grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania.
Olympic medalist Robert Dover calls Dressage at Devon ?the standard by which all American horse shows should be judged.?
More than 700 horses are expected to compete with an anticipated 35,000 spectators.
Dressage at Devon opens with the three-day breed division in which horses are judged for movement and conformation. More than 30 breeds are represented. The USDF Breeders Championships East Coast Series Finals, North American Breeders Futurity Championship Finals and the Born in the USA Breeders Awards are among the highlights of the show?s first days. New this year is the Foal Championship.
Thursday, the four-day performance division begins. Most Dressage at Devon classes are FEI (F?d?ration Equestre Internationale) level, including four grand prix classes, the level of Olympic competition. Musical freestyles classes, like dancing to the music, are crowd favorites.
The Festival Shops offer exclusive apparel, fine arts, antiques and collectibles from more than 65 vendors, and food from burgers to full gourmet meals at charming outdoor cafes. The Kids Corral provides activities for youngsters, and exhibitions are geared towards family fun. A highlight of last year?s Family Day was the first-ever Dressage at Devon leadline class for aspiring riders.
Dressage with the Experts offers an opportunity to hear live, expert commentary on individual headsets and an electronic scoreboard, the first ever at a U.S. dressage competition, allows spectators to see the scores for each movement, as they are assigned by the judges.
Hundreds of volunteers work together to make Dressage at Devon a success. The show benefits Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Inc., one of the oldest and largest therapeutic riding facilities in the nation. Since 1991, Dressage at Devon has raised more than $1,070,000 for Thorncroft.
Dressage at Devon takes place at the Devon Horse Show Grounds, Route 30, in Devon, Pennsylvania. Tuesday, September 27 through Sunday, October 2. General admission is $10; children under 12 are admitted at no charge. Reserved and box seats are also available at the online store.
