Tuesday October 11, 2005

Red, White and Blue, Blue, Blue Characterize the 31st Dressage at Devon

Hanoverians Rule Wednesday at Devon

Wednesday was a golden day at the show, with Hilton Farm’s four-year-old Hanoverian stallion Liberty Gold making his presence known. “As sweet and quiet as a nice gelding,” says trainer Erin Sweeney, the grand chestnut stallion showed not only quality temperament, but quality form and movement as he trotted all out in front of the appreciative judges and spectators. He was the winner of the Four Year and Older Stallion class, the Stallion Championship, the Mature Horse Championship, the Stallion Championship, the Cosequin®/USDF East Coast Final Stallion Championship and The Grand Championship. He also topped the Four and Five Year Old Stallion/Gelding Materiale class. The Cosequin®/USDF Mare Championship was won by Hilltop Farm’s Con Dia, a four-year old Oldenburg by Contucci.

Wednesday evening, US-bred horses were celebrated with Dressage at Devon’s own Born in the USA Awards. Conceived by Dressage at Devon Breed Show Secretary Lori Kaminski and breeders Ilona English and Rachel Erhlich to acknowledge the success of breeders in the USA, Dressage at Devon ceremoniously honors the top scorers in 15 categories, adorning them with red, white and blue sashes, and offering prize money. The 2005 Born in the USA Champion was Pikko del Cerro, by Pik L, bred by Horses Unlimited. Reserve Champion was Armani, the 2005 colt by Rousseau.