Big Scores and Bright Debuts Mark Opening Day of Dressage at Devon Breed Division
Tuesday launched the 50th Anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon in style, as the Breed Division opened with 247 entries across the Dixon Oval and Wheeler Arena. The celebrated showgrounds were alive with gleaming coats, polished braids and some of the finest young sport horses in the country stepping out for a taste of Devon’s electric atmosphere.
Iron Spring Farm’s Young Stock Dominates KWPN Class
Iron Spring Farm’s 2025 Valentine ISF (Kaiman–Zabrina ISF) topped the list of 27 entries in the KWPN class sponsored by KWPN-NA. Quinnten Alston guided the filly to a winning score of 86.100%. Iron Spring Farm’s breeding program showed its depth, with Temptation ISF, a 2023 filly (Kaiman–Love Dance), taking the red ribbon on 82.975%; Usher ISF, a 2024 colt (Com Laude–Jurdanea), earning 81.70%; and Sensation ISF, a 2022 filly (Vivaldi–Beau Monde) close behind at 81.325%. All four were handled by Alston, underscoring his trademark polish in the ring.
Hanoverian Entrants Shine in American Hanoverian Society Class
The Hanoverians delivered a strong showing of 20 horses and handlers in the class sponsored by the American Hanoverian Society. Fashion Couture, a 2021 mare (Franklin–Mona Caron) trained by Brendan Curtis of Liberty Farm Dressage in Middleburg, Virginia, and owned by his mother Mary McKenna, earned an 83.575% with Bruce Griffin III handling.
Curtis explained that the decision to add Fashion Couture to the 2025 Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon roster was a late one designed to give the mare more experience and confidence. “She’s just really sort of blossoming,” he said. Their instincts appear correct. “This is where we need to be.” The pair are aiming for the Young Horse Five-Year-Old test in 2026.
Fauntleroy CF Leads the Oldenburgs in a Competitive Field
The Oldenburg (GOV) class, sponsored by The Oldenburg Horse Breeders Society, N.A., featured 15 entries. Fauntleroy CF, a 2024 colt (Ferdeaux–French Quarter CF) owned and handled by Nancy Holowesko of Trappe, Maryland, claimed the top spot with an 84.175%.
Devine Harvest, a 2019 mare (Harvest–Dulce Rosa) owned by Marne Martin-Tucker and handled by Cara Klothe, earned 83.775% for the red ribbon. Holowesko also claimed third with Bonita CF, her own 2025 colt (V-Power–Fiderline) scoring 82.750%, and fourth with Sazerac CF, another of her 2025 colts (Salvino–French Quarter CF) on 82.60%.
Adult Amateurs Bring Style and Skill to the Dixon Oval
The Adult Amateur Handler class drew 22 entrants eager to showcase their eye for presentation and handling finesse.
Samantha Clift of Colonial Beach, VA, earned a winning 79.60% presenting Glendale’s Wilbur, a 2022 Halfbred Connemara gelding (*Rattle ‘N Snap Laddie Boy-Glendale’s Wilbur) owned by Suzette White of King George, Virginia.
Joshua Johnson, with Tres Chic, a 2017 Trakehner stallion (Schwarzgold–Tacyra) owned by Firefox Farm LLC in Durham, New Hampshire, came a close second on 79.50%. Lauren Murphy of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, and her own 2015 German Riding Pony gelding Diaz (D-Day At–Volare) took third with 78.80%, while Grayce McLaughlin and her Half-Arabian mare Dragonfly Evita (Golden Essence ++++//–Soy Chispita) rounded out the top four with a 78.40%.
Pony Power Rules the Evening Classes
Pony Foals Impress Judges in Championship Class
The Pony Foal Championship, presented by Kickapoo Ponies, featured some of the youngest entrants of the show who are already showing presence and quality. Rachel Laufer-Wengerd guided her own Knightwynds Seduction (Fferm Gwenffrwd Swagger-Knightwynds Topaz), a foal she both bred and owns, to earn the Championship title.
Reserve honors went to Lindsey Berry with Starberry Cosmic Enya (Clear Creek Zeus-Ancan True Colors), another homebred presented and owned by Berry.
Pony Fillies Step Into the Spotlight in Championship Class
The Pony Filly Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies drew its share of applause as the youngest competitors showcased big movement in small packages. Shane Diel guided Branley Ash Gemini, a 2022 German Riding Pony mare (Genesis Bl–Dancing Queen T) owned by Heidi Humphrey of Shaftsbury, Vermont, to claim the Championship title.
Allison Hines of Powhatan, Virginia, presented her own 2022 Friesian Cross, Motion Granted, for a strong showing and a promising future in the breed ring.
Pony Colts and Geldings Deliver Standout Performances in Championship Class
The Pony Colt/Gelding Championship Class kept the excitement rolling as promising young stallions and geldings entered the ring. Lindsey Berry of Ballston Spa, New York, guided her 2024 Morgan colt Starberry Shamrock (Clear Creek Zeus–Spirit’s Celeste) to the Championship title, impressing the judges with presence and movement beyond his years.
Reserve Champion honors went to Harleywood, a 2023 Oldenburg colt (Woodbury’s Harlequin–Lily) handled by King Santacruz and owned by Trestle Tree Farm of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Harleywood’s performance underscored the depth of quality on display in this year’s young pony divisions.
Young Pony Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies
Shane Diel was on fire Tuesday, winning ribbons all over the pony classes. In the Young Pony Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies, he and Branley Ash Gemini, Heidi Humphrey’s 2022 German Riding Pony (Genesis Bl–Dancing Queen T) mare bred by Christine Baker, won the championship.
Diel handled another pony for the Reserve Championship: Neverever (Neverland WE-Beauty 1), a 2025 German Riding pony colt owned and bred by Heidi Humphrey.
Pony Mare Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies AND Mature Pony Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies
Deenah AT and Halcyonia Tiger Lily snared the Championships and Reserve Championships in two classes: The Pony Mare Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies and the Mature Pony Championships class presented by Kickapoo Ponies.
Shane Diel guided Deenah AT to the championship Mature Pony Championship class presented by Kickapoo Ponies. The 2015 German Riding Pony mare (Dating Point AT-Dinah) was bred by Adolf Theo Schurf in Germany.
Halcyonia Tiger Lily (Halcyoniua Trigger-Gallod Welsh Comet) led by owner Catherine Turner and bred by Louis Saunders captured the Reserve Championship in the class.
DAD Pony Grand Championship presented by Kickapoo Ponies
Shane Diel took home the accolades in the Dressage at Devon Pony Grand Championship class presented by Kickapoo Ponies as he showed two of Heidi Humphrey’s star ponies.
Branley Ash Gemini, Humphries’ 2022 German Riding Pony (Genesis Bl–Dancing Queen T) bred by Christine Baker, also won the Pony Filly Championship and claimed the overall Devon Pony Grand Championship title.
Diel also guided Deenah AT to the Reserve Championship in the Devon Pony Grand Championship class. The 2015 German Riding Pony mare (Dating Point AT-Dinah) was bred by Adolf Theo Schurf in Germany.
Individual Breed Classes Lead Into Parade of Breeds Celebration
The Individual Breed Classes welcomed horses of every age into the ring, where they were shown in hand at the walk and trot before the judges. Each was evaluated for movement, conformation and overall impression, creating a living showcase of quality drawn from a wide range of breeds.
From there, the winners stepped back into the Dixon Oval for the Parade of Breeds, a tradition that honors excellence and heritage alike. Rosettes were presented, and as each horse entered, the announcer offered history and highlights of the breed, adding both context and pride to the celebration. Sponsored by Select Breeders Services, the event concluded with each Parade of Breeds Champion receiving a special gift in recognition of the achievement.
Among the champions was Knightwynds Seduction (Fferm Gwenffrwd Swagger—Knightwynds Santaria), a chestnut Welsh Pony foal who claimed first place in the Welsh Pony class sponsored by Kickapoo Ponies with a score of 77.625 percent. Bred, owned and handled by Rachel Laufer-Wengerd, the filly displayed maturity well beyond her age and emerged as a clear favorite with the crowd.
Devon’s Pony Stars Close Out a Landmark Day
With the Kickapoo Ponies championships providing a parade of future stars, Day One at the 50th Anniversary Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon delivered on its promise of depth, quality and a little Devon magic. From powerhouse breeding programs like Iron Spring Farm to the homebred pony foals making their first appearances, the show rings were full of talent across every age group and breed.
As the sun set over the Dixon Oval, handlers and breeders headed back to the barns with ribbons, stories and plenty of anticipation—and just a little soggy from the evening’s downpour. The week ahead will bring the Performance Division, the 2025 Masterclass with Ingrid Klimke presented by Capital Square, other educational opportunities, shopping and hospitality events that have made Devon a tradition for riders, owners and spectators alike. If opening day is any indication, the 50th anniversary edition is set to be one of the most memorable yet.
