September 22-27, 2026

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From Breed Show Glory to Performance Show Excitement at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon

Wisteria CSH (Cum Laude x Unknown), winner of the Nutrena/USDFBC Current Year Foal East Coast Series Final
Bred, owned, and handled by Hannah Rettew
Photo Credit: Bethany P Photography

Foals Steal the Spotlight in the Nutrena/USDF Current Year Foal East Coast Series Final

The Dixon Oval came alive on the final day of the Dressage at Devon Breed Show, as a field of promising foals entered for the Nutrena/USDFBC Current Year Foal East Coast Series Final, each one representing the earliest spark of tomorrow’s talent. Twelve youngsters trotted in with bright expressions and elastic movement, making the judges’ job anything but simple.

Wisteria CSH (Cum Laude x Unknown), bred, owned, and handled by Hannah Rettew, rose to the top of the field with an impressive 81.375%. The 2026 KWPN filly distinguished herself with presence and quality that resonated with the judges.

Second place honors went to Wizkid ISF (Kaiman x Vivaldi), who notched a score of 80.812%. Quinnten Alston presented the KWPN stud colt for owner and breeder Iron Spring Farm.

Colts and Geldings Impress in the Nutrena/USDFBC Colt/Geldings East Coast Series Final

A striking 21 colts and geldings entered the Nutrena/USDFBC Colt/Gelding East Coast Series Final—more than twice the number seen last year. The depth of the class underscored its growing significance, with each entrant demonstrating athleticism, balance, and promise of FEI potential.

Usher ISF (Cum Laude x Escorial), presented by Quinnten Alston for breeder and owner Iron Spring Farm, followed up his 2026 Dressage at Devon Reserve Grand Championship with a class win, topping the leaderboard with a commanding 84.112%.

Second place went to Sir Lincoln (Sarkozy x Royal Prince), shown by owner and breeder Samantha Word. The two-year-old Westfalen gelding received a second-best score of 81.962%.

Mutsaards Winston, winner of the Nutrena/USDFBC Stallion East Coast Series Final
Presented by Kaitlin Blythe, owned by Ellen Ziemer, and bred by J.C.A.M. Mutsaards.
Photo credit: Bethany P Photography

Stallions Show Power and Presence in the Nutrena/USDFBC Stallion East Coast Series Final

The stallions brought undeniable charisma to the Dixon Oval in the Nutrena/USDFBC Stallion East Coast Series Final. From powerful gaits to commanding stances during conformation assessment, the class highlighted stallions with both athletic promise and breeding influence.

Mutsaards Winston (Tongerenhof Burberry x Justice HR), a five-year-old New Forest Pony, topped the class with a score of 80.375%. Kaitlin Blythe showed the stallion for owner Ellen Ziemer and breeder J.C.A.M. Mutsaards. This win follows an especially impressive 2026 Dressage at Devon showing for Mutsaards Winston, who was also named Pony Stallion Champion, Pony Grand Champion, and Reserve Mature Horse Champion.

Second place was awarded to Tru Valor (Valor LRF x Doaitsen 420), a four-year-old Friesian. Janae Griffin presented the young stallion for owner and breeder Bruce Griffin, securing a score of 77.775% for runner-up honors.

Tatooine Pleasure WG, winner of the Nutrena/USDFBC Current Year Filly East Coast Series Final
Owned and shown by Lauren Chumley, bred by Erin Newkirk
Photo Credit: Bethany P Photography

Talented Fillies Shine in the Nutrena/USDFBC Current Year Filly East Coast Series Final

The Nutrena/USDFBC Current Year Fillies East Coast Series Final, a class that consistently produces standout future performance horses, brought 21 entrants to vie for the title. This year’s group delivered expressive gaits, confident presentation, and a level of quality that underscored the strength of North American breeding programs.

Tatooine Pleasure WG (Dark Pleasure x Uno Don Diego), owned and shown by Lauren Chumley, topped the class with a standout 83.112%. Erin Newkirk bred the winning three-year-old KWPN filly, who delivered consistent results all week.

Close behind was Saraia M (Sezuan 2 x Revolution), a yearling Oldenburg filly, owned, bred and handled by Marne Martin-Tucker. She earned a score of 82.400% to secure second place.

Sedoc, winner of the Nutrena/USDFBC Four Year Old Sport Horse Prospect East Coast Series Owned by Brenda Belt, handled by Lauren Kimmel, bred by R. van Wolfswinkel Photo credit: Bethany P Photography

Young Sport Horse Prospects Step Into the Spotlight

Sedoc (For Romance I x Secret) capped off a stellar 2026 Dressage at Devon with a win in the Nutrena/USDFBC Four-Year-Old Sport Horse Prospect East Coast Series. The KWPN gelding, owned by Brenda Belt and bred by R. van Wolfswinkel, earned a top score of 84.050% with Lauren Kimmel handling.

Close behind was Sambatini H2O (Furst Nymphenburg x Dream Catcher), who received a very respectable 83.887% to earn second place. Caroline Cox handled the young mare, who also claimed the Nutrena/USDFBC Four-Year-Old Prospect Championship on Wednesday, for owner and breeder Kendra Hansis.

Mares Deliver Elegance in the Nutrena/USDFBC Mare East Coast Series Final

The mares closed out the in-hand portion of the day with a display of refinement, strength, and maternal influence in the Nutrena/USDFBC Mare East Coast Series Final. Judges praised the depth of quality, noting the mares’ correctness, elasticity, and suitability as future producers of dressage horses.

Lovely Leni (Livaldon x Floriscount) secured the championship with a commanding 87.900% with owner Cara Klothe handling. The 11-year-old Hanoverian mare, bred by Dieter Kreyenhagen, adds this win to the Dressage at Devon 2026 Grand Championship title she received on Wednesday.

Famira ZA (Faramund x Licotus), a five-year-old Westfalen mare, secured second place with a score of 83.325%. Breeder Hannah Heritage handled the five-year-old mare for owner Joan Allen.

A Strong Finish to the Breed Division

With foals, fillies, colts, stallions, mares, and young prospects all taking their turn in the spotlight, Thursday marked a fitting finale to the 2026 Breed Division. The depth of quality, the professionalism of handlers, and the enthusiasm of breeders and spectators alike underscored why Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon remains a cornerstone of American dressage breeding.

As the Performance Division steps forward, the promise of these young horses lingers, a reminder that the future of the sport begins right here in the Dixon Oval.

Top Young Horses Kick Off Dressage at Devon Performance Show

Four-Year-Olds | Sponsored by Dr. Debra Tarantino

The 2026 Dressage at Devon Performance Show commenced on Thursday afternoon with the USEF Four-Year-Old Test, sponsored by Dr. Debra Tarantino. The test asked horses to show working and lengthened gaits,

Czunflower (Candola x Gideon) claimed the first victory of the performance show, scoring a 76.00% with owner/rider Rebecca Barber Tyler. The Westfalen mare, bred by Magnolia Sport Horses (USA) bested a class of nine to secure the win.

Second place honors went to Supernova (Grand Galaxy Win x Rascalino), a KWPN mare owned and shown by Bridget Hay, earning a score of 75.20%. Rounding out the top three was Heimdall H2O (Harvest x Canto), whom owner/rider Lauren Chumley piloted to a 74.00%.

Five-Year-Olds

Next up was the FEI Five-Year-Old class. Entrants displayed an increased degree of development through the training scale, demonstrating collected and medium gaits, counter canter, half-turns on haunches, and other progressively more advanced movements in this test.

The class’s winner was Valballa (Valegro x Carpalo), a Westfalen mare owned by the Valballa Group and bred by DC Hanekenfahr e.V. (GER). Silva Martin rode the impressive young mare to a top score of 76.20% to top seven other pairs. Judges expressed their appreciation for Valballa’s forward-thinking way of going and noted her clear future in the FEI ring.

Close behind was Patronum De L’Aube (Desperado x Pik Donnerhall), who received a score of 74.60% for second place. Anthony Forrest rode the Belgian Warmblood gelding for owner Muriel Forrest and breeder Haras de L’Aube (BEL), receiving judges’ praise for his elastic gaits and significant overtrack in the walk. The third-place finisher was Vanessa (Negro x Antango), who scored a 71.60% with owner/rider Bridget Hay.

Six-Year-Olds

In the FEI Six-Year-Old class, horses were asked to perform collected and extended gaits, flying changes of lead, half passes in trot and canter, and other movements of increased difficulty.

Five horse and rider pairs contested the class, and it was Wako (Wynton x Unknown) who came away with the win, ridden by Beatrice Boucher for owners Andree Bessette and Alexandre Marcil. The Hanoverian gelding received glowing remarks from the panel of judges, highlighted by an 8.2 for the trot and 8.4 for general impression, to receive a class-topping 79.00%.

The class’s runner up was Charming Boy (Celebration WE x Cyriac WE), a German Riding Pony gelding owned by Lynn Rzonca and bred by Holger Duveneck (GER). Emily O’Neill rode to a 77.60%, the class’s second-best score. The third placed pair, Divicini’s Dream (Davos CF x Fidertanz) and Anna Keenan McPhee, received a score of 71.80% to secure their podium finish.

Seven-Year-Olds | Sponsored by Gastrogard

The final class of the day was the FEI Seven-Year-Olds, sponsored by Gastrogard. In this test, horses inch closer to the international FEI levels. They must demonstrate half canter pirouettes, flying changes of lead every fourth stride and every third stride, and increasingly steep half passes in trot and canter.

The KWPN stallion Orlando (Kardieno x Moeders Vader) claimed the class win with owner Jontelle Forbus riding, demonstrating the elasticity, strength, and athleticism necessary to excel at this level.

A Preview of What’s to Come

The impressive young horses in the first of the Dressage at Devon 2026 performance classes provided a sample of the competition yet to come this week. Friday’s classes will capitalize on that incredible talent, continuing to showcase the caliber of horses and riders that Dressage at Devon attracts.

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Parking at Dressage at Devon

Parking is available near the Devon Show Grounds with several options depending on when you arrive and how close you want to be.

Attendants will direct spectators on where to park when you arrive. Please allow extra time to walk across the street and into the gates especially during busy evening events Thursday through Saturday nights.

Additional parking is sometimes available in nearby overflow lots. Signs and attendants will guide you if the main lot is full. 

Accessible parking for guests with mobility needs is located close to the entrance gates. Be sure to bring your placard and let the attendants know so they can direct you to the right area.

Street parking around the neighborhood and in designated resident lots is limited. Please follow all posted signs and instructions to avoid being ticketed or towed.

If you are traveling by train or rideshare you can be dropped off right at the front gates on Lancaster Avenue. This can be a great option on busy nights.

Helpful Tips Before You Arrive

Following the Flow of the Week

From Tuesday through Thursday the breed division showcases foals young horses and breeding stock. From Friday through Sunday the performance division features the sport side of dressage including tests that lead up to the Grand Prix.

The Grand Prix Freestyle on Saturday night under the lights is a highlight of the entire week. Freestyles continue through Sunday with additional rides on Saturday afternoon.


How to Read the Competition Schedule

Check the Header
At the top of the sheet you will see:

  • The show name and date (Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon 2026)
  • The arena name either Wheeler Arena next to the grandstands or Dixon Oval the main arena surrounded by the iconic blue grandstands
  • The judge’s name for that ring

Understand the Columns
The sheet is usually set up as a table with

  • Time when the ride begins
  • Rider name
  • Horse name
  • Test or class such as Prix St Georges or Grand Prix
  • Number on the bridle or saddle pad for identification


Reading the Scores
Dressage tests are scored from 0 to 100. Here’s how to understand what those percentages mean:

  • 60 to 65 percent: A solid test with room for improvement
  • 66 to 70 percent: A strong ride with good flow and expression
  • Above 71 percent: An excellent test with accuracy, harmony and quality of movement 

Awards and Breaks
Breaks are noted for judges and ring staff. Awards ceremonies are a celebrated part of the Dressage at Devon tradition so stay to cheer for the winners!

 

What You Look for in a Dressage Test

hen you watch a test notice the rhythm balance and harmony of horse and rider.

The best rides look effortless as though the horse is dancing on its own. At the higher levels watch for advanced movements such as the piaffe, passage and pirouette. See if you can name the movement. When the ride ends you can view the official results after the test (link coming soon).

You know a rider is doing well when they stay the course of the pattern, don’t break strides for a few steps, when the horse is expressive and free flowing and he rider looks like they aren’t doing anything up there.

Where to Watch

Wheeler Arena

Next to the grandstands. This arena often hosts the breed classes and select performance rides. The rail is open to stand along and gives you an up close view

Dixon Oval

The main arena surrounded by the famous blue grandstands. The atmosphere especially at night is one of a kind. Seating in the Dixon Oval includes paid and reserved box seats or reserved grandstand seats. Some seats may be open if not occupied and you can always ask a staff member if you are unsure. Standing at the rail and on any benches is also an option if you do not have tickets for reserved seating.

Reserved seating is available for featured events.

Horse Show Etiquette

The shared energy between the crowd and the competitors makes Dressage at Devon one of the most unique shows in North America. It is important to remember that horses are extra sensitive to their surroundings by nature. They are prey animals and even the most highly trained horses can spook or lose focus when they enter a new arena. By following these few things, you help horse and rider partners show their best and you help create an experience for all those around you.

  • Keep your energy steady during the test. Avoid sudden loud noises or big movements right at the rail that might distract a horse.
  • If you are on the rail stand still as the horse passes.


Cheer and clap when a ride is finished especially at the salute. Riders and horses thrive on it here!


Spectator Judging

On Friday and Saturday nights during the Grand Prix classes, spectators are invited to score along with the judges. It’s a fun and interactive way to learn how tests are evaluated.

Events Beyond the Competition

Dressage at Devon is more than a horse show. Throughout the week, you’ll find hands-on experiences, expert lectures, unique exhibitions and family-friendly activities that add to the tradition and energy of the event.

Tuesday
• Parade of Breeds returns to the Dixon Oval, celebrating the beauty and diversity of dressage breeding with commentary and group presentation of class winners

Wednesday
• Shop Sip and Stroll brings after-hours shopping, drinks and music to the Fall Festival vendor area
• Lecture Series begins with educational talks on training, development and breeding

Thursday
• The Capital Square Masterclass with Carl Hester features Olympic-level insight to six all-star equestrians
• Vendor pop-ups, lectures and special events continue throughout the showgrounds

Friday
• Performance Division continues with qualifying tests, including the Grand Prix level freestyle qualifier
• A Dance Off featuring top riders going head to head with celebrity breakdancing judges

Saturday
• Grand Prix Freestyle takes center stage under the lights in the Dixon Oval
• Food, shopping and music bring a festival atmosphere

Sunday
• Dressage Explorers Day invites families and kids to enjoy crafts, games and hands-on learning
• Musical Freestyles and Mimosas on the Midway offer a relaxed final day with plenty of riding action

Monday
• Devon Plant Sale takes place near the front gate before show close

View full event schedule


Dressage at Devon Weather

Dress for changing weather. Afternoons can be warm and evenings cool. Bring layers and a jacket for the night events and classes. Wear comfortable shoes since you may walk on gravel or grass and sometimes in mud. Leave umbrellas at home when possible and bring a rain jacket or poncho instead since umbrellas can spook horses. Sometimes they do not but sometimes they do so it is better to plan ahead.


The Community

One of the best parts of Dressage at Devon is the people. The community is welcoming and open. If you have questions about the schedule, the classes or where to go, do not hesitate to ask. Staff, volunteers and even fellow spectators are happy to help you feel at home.

COMING SOON

Check back when the show begins September 23rd 2025.

Why Dressage at Devon?

Dressage at Devon is not just a horse show. It is one of the most prestigious equestrian events in North America, blending high level sport, tradition and community. Each fall the historic Devon Show Grounds in Pennsylvania become the stage where the best dressage riders and horses from the United States and abroad come together.

What Makes it Stand Out

  • Two shows in one: a massive breed division where foals and young horses are showcased and judged, and a performance division where seasoned athletes compete at the highest levels of the sport
  • The highlight of the week is the Grand Prix freestyle on Saturday night, when riders guide their horses through intricate routines set to music under the lights of the Dixon Oval
  • An atmosphere unlike any other dressage event in North America, with packed grandstands, shopping, food and a festival style energy that attracts lifelong fans and first time spectators alike
  • Competing at Dressage at Devon is considered a career milestone, much like playing at Wimbledon or Carnegie Hall

Why the Grand Prix Matters

The pinnacle of dressage is the Grand Prix level, which only a small fraction of riders ever reach. Out of thousands of competitors in the United States, only a few hundred ride at this level each year, and fewer than fifty compete in international Grand Prix classes on American soil.

Dressage at Devon is one of the rare places on the East Coast where spectators can see this elite level up close. Many of the riders who perform here go on to represent the United States at the Olympics, the World Cup Finals and the World Equestrian Games. Winning or even placing at Devon is a once in a lifetime achievement that marks a rider’s career.

Long Story Short

For someone new to the sport, Dressage at Devon is where you go to see the very best. It combines the history of a landmark event with the thrill of top level competition and the welcoming energy of a community gathering. Whether you know horses or not, you leave with the sense that you have witnessed something rare and world class.

Event Schedule
Competition Schedule

What is Dressage?

Dressage is often called the art of horse training, but at its heart it is about partnership. Horse and rider learn to move as one, with the horse responding to the smallest signals so every stride looks effortless.

The word itself comes from the French for “training.” The goal is to bring out a horse’s athletic ability and willingness so that the movements look natural and fluid. To someone new, the best comparison is figure skating on horseback, where strength, precision, and artistry meet in the arena.

The Basics

At its most basic level, dressage teaches a horse to:

  • Respond softly and precisely to the rider’s signals
  • Carry itself in balance
  • Move with rhythm
  • Transition smoothly between gaits

Riders guide with subtle aids from their legs, seat, and hands. To an observer it can look like the horse is dancing on its own.

Dressage in Competition

In the Performance Division, horse and rider perform a set series of movements called a test inside the arena. Judges score each movement on accuracy, balance and harmony.

At the highest levels, horses perform advanced movements such as:

  • Piaffe – a trot in place
  • Passage – an elevated springy trot
  • Pirouettes – controlled turns in place at the canter

These require years of careful training and athleticism, yet the goal remains for it all to appear effortless.

The Breed Division focuses on evaluating foals, young horses, mares and stallions. Horses are judged on conformation, movement and genetic potential. This is often where future dressage stars make their first appearances, giving breeders recognition and offering buyers a chance to see promising horses at the very beginning of their careers.

Competition Levels Explained

Dressage is structured in progressive levels, like school for horse and rider. Each stage adds new skills while building strength and understanding.

  • Introductory and Training Levels
    The foundation stage. Horses show walk, trot, and canter in simple patterns, with a focus on rhythm, relaxation, and obedience.
  • First through Third Level
    Balance and strength begin to develop. Horses show lengthened strides, circles, changes of lead, and lateral work such as leg yields and shoulder-ins.
  • Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges
    Considered advanced. Horses demonstrate flying lead changes, collected gaits, half passes, and pirouettes. This level begins to prepare them for international competition.
  • Intermediaire I and II
    A bridge to the top levels. Horses refine movements like piaffe and passage, and perform more complex sequences of flying changes.
  • Grand Prix
    The Olympic standard. Every transition and step is judged. Horse and rider must demonstrate complete harmony while performing the most demanding movements in the sport.

Why Levels Matter 

The levels are designed to protect both horse and rider. Just as a student cannot skip from basic math to calculus, a horse cannot jump from simple gaits to piaffe.

Progression through the levels:

  • Builds muscle, balance, and suppleness gradually
  • Develops focus and confidence in busy environments
  • Protects the horse from injury or stress
  • Teaches the rider subtle communication and feel

The beauty of dressage lies not only in the freestyles under the lights but in the journey itself. Each level deepens the partnership and proves that patience, trust, and respect create the highest form of art.

Why Dressage at Devon is Important