September 22-27, 2026

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Youth Challenge, CDI Competition, and New Champions: The Final Day at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon 2026

Sophie Rutherford and Maximillian Versace captured the inaugural Dressage4Kids and $5,000 cash prize
Photo Credit: Bethany P Photography

Youth Riders Take Center Stage in Inaugural Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon 

The next generation of dressage took center stage Sunday afternoon at Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon with the inaugural Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge, a new initiative designed to celebrate young riders while emphasizing the importance of developing well‑rounded horsemen and women.

Among a competitive field of 17 entrants, Sophie Rutherford and Maria Gross’s Maximillian Versace emerged victorious and claimed the win. Rutherford’s wins in both the Dressage Seat Equitation class (where she received an 83.000%) and the Junior Handler class (where she received an 86.500%) secured a dominant lead, 10% ahead of the second-place finisher.

Consistently impressive performances from Pierson Fox and her own V’s Prince of Glory earned her runner-up honors. The pair ranked second in both the Dressage Seat Equitation class and the Junior Handler class, where they scored an 81.000% and a 78.700%, respectively.

The challenge’s final podium finisher was Violet Gutberlet with The Grier School’s SWS Encino, who received third place. Gutberlet ranked third in the Dressage Seat Equitation with a score of 78.000% and fifth in the Junior Handler with a score of 77.000%.

About the Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge

Open to riders ages 14–18, the Youth Challenge brings together two distinct pillars of horsemanship: Dressage Seat Equitation, evaluating the rider’s position, balance, and effectiveness in the saddle, and Junior Handler, highlighting the competitor’s ability to safely and confidently present a horse from the ground. Scores from both phases determine the overall champion.

The Youth Challenge represents a meaningful investment in the future of the sport, with a $5,000 prize awarded to the champion and additional awards presented through eighth place which included:

A proud moment in the Dixon Oval as all Youth Challenge riders gather for a photo to celebrate their achievements, accompanied by President of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon, Nicole DelGiorno
Photo Credit: Bethany P Photography

“Seeing these young riders step into the Dixon Oval today was incredibly meaningful,” said Nicole DelGiorno, President of Dressage at Devon. “When we created the Youth Challenge, the goal was to give young equestrians a place to grow, to handle horses, to discover every part of this sport early on. Watching them rise to the occasion in this inaugural year makes me truly hopeful for the future of dressage.”

The Youth Challenge marks a significant step in Dressage at Devon’s ongoing commitment to inspiring and supporting the next generation of equestrians.

Personal Best Scores Shape Sunday’s FEI Classes

CDI-2* FEI Intermediate II (CDI 2*) | Presented by Resolvet

CDI-2* Medium Tour competition reached an exciting culmination in Sunday’s FEI Intermediate II class, presented by Resolvet.

Lauren Chumley, who’s proven to be a considerable force this week, achieved a personal best score of 67.882% with her Dutch Warmblood mare, Leeloo Dallas. Neither the wind nor the rain could shake the pair’s focus as they laid down a stellar performance to earn the class win.

First and second places for this class were separated by razor-thin margins: narrowly behind Chumley was Giulia Cohen aboard Illyon. Cohen and her own KWPN gelding received their own personal best score, a 67.853%, on their way to runner-up honors.

Elizabeth Bortuzzo and Lady Symphony, whom she owns with Mark Paul, also had a strong showing, earning a 64.294% for a podium finish.

The top three competitors in Sunday’s CDI-2*: winner Lauren Chumley (second from left) with Leeloo Dallas; runner-up Giulia Cohen (center) with Illyon; and third-place finisher Elizabeth Bortuzzo (second from right) with Lady Symphony
Pictured with representatives from sponsor Resolvet
Photo Credit: Bethany P. Photography

CDICh FEI Children | Sponsored by The Grier School

Awards provided by Back on Track

Elise Kobeski and Ferruccio de Lys represented the FEI Children division throughout the weekend, earning a 66.075% in Saturday’s Team test before returning to the Dixon Oval Sunday morning for the Individual competition, where they received a 66.797%. Their two appearances brought the FEI Children category into a weekend that also featured Junior and Young Rider competition, highlighting the range of FEI Youth categories represented across the international program.

CDI-J FEI Junior Freestyle | Sponsored by The Grier School

Awards provided by Back on Track

Junior riders reported to the Dixon Oval to dance in the rain in the CDI-J FEI Junior Freestyle class, sponsored by The Grier School. The inclement weather didn’t deter these talented young riders from displaying impressive performances.

Claire Pratt and her own Danen really rose to the occasion, securing a personal best score of 69.580% to claim the class win. Pratt and the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare thoroughly impressed judges with their choreography and artistic prowess throughout their test.

An equally formidable competitor, Emelia Lewis finished mere fractions of a percentage point behind with a 69.180% aboard her Andalusian gelding Ganando, earning second-place honors.

Claire Pratt, winner of the CDI-JR FEI Junior Freestyle Sponsored by The Grier School
Photo Credit: Bethany P Photography

CDI-Am FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle for Amateur

Awards presented by Back on Track

The CDI-Am Small Tour division wrapped up with the FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle class on Sunday morning. Denise Steele followed up her win in yesterday’s CDI-Am FEI Intermediate I with an addition win in the freestyle. Her top score of 69.460% reflected the caliber of the performance, its musical interpretation, and the harmony she cultivated with Kenneth Steele’s Bon Chance 8.

The class’s runner-up was Laura Aber, who danced to a personal best score of 66.140% with her 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding Der Fiete.

Denise Steele (center), winner of the CDI-Am FEI Intermediaire I Freestyle for Amateur aboard Bon Chance 8, and Laura Aber (second from left), runner up aboard Der Fiete. Awards presented by Back on Track
Photo Credit: Bethany P. Photography

Fourth Level Championships Awarded

Awards presented by Back on Track

After three days of rigorous fourth-level competition, the division’s overall championship was awarded on Sunday afternoon.

Veronika Molcan and Balios Primus were named the 2026 Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon Fourth Level Champions after consistent performances in USEF Fourth Level, Test 1 throughout the show. The pair’s 66.052% on Friday, 67.632% Saturday, and 70.395% Sunday, the latter two of which earned class wins, solidified the championship for them by the end of the show.

The Fourth Level Reserve Champions were Lauren Chumley and Notorious H2O, who twice contested USEF Fourth Level, Test 3 classes. On Friday, they received a score of 66.806%, and on Sunday, they followed up with a class-winning 70.972%. The combination of these top scores helped Chumley and her eight-year-old KWPN earn the reserve championship.

Another Year of History Made at Dressage at Devon

As the final day of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon 2026 draws to a close, another chapter is written for the storied horse show. Six days of impressive competition, community gatherings, educational opportunities, illustrious shopping, and some of the very best the sport has to offer have once again come together to create a one-of-one experience only possible at Dressage at Devon.

Thank you to everyone who made this year such a success, from sponsors to competitors to volunteers to vendors to attendees and beyond. The 2026 edition of Kingsview Partners will not soon be forgotten.

 

 

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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