The Dawn of a New Phase
The Breed Division wrapped up as the Performance Division began on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the 50th Anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon. The morning’s sprinkles didn’t deter competitors or spectators as the showgrounds buzzed with anticipation for a day of exceptional young horses—and the first look at tomorrow’s dressage stars under saddle.
Foals Steal the Show in ProElite/USDF Current Year Foal Final
Thirteen foals trotted into the Dixon Oval for the ProElite/USDF Current Year Foal Final. Quinnten Alston guided Valentine ISF, a 2025 KWPN filly by Kaiman out of Zabrina ISF and owned by Iron Spring Farm of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, to an impressive 84.937% for the win.
Close behind, Sazerac CF, Nancy Holowesko’s 2025 Oldenburg colt by Salvino out of French Quarter MF (a Quaterback mare), earned 82.712% for second place. Holowesko of Trappe, Maryland, also bred and handled Sazerac.
Iconic Filly Shines in ProElite/USDF Current Year Filly Final
The class for this year’s fillies went to Iconic Eden who topped the scoreboard with an 81.4587%. The 2021 Hanoverian filly by Iron out of Samoa Eden (a Sandro Hit mare) is owned by Kymberly Pullen and was bred by Vicke Nedergaard in Denmark.
Katie Cook of Charlotte, Vermont, piloted Teya BRN, a 2023 KWPN filly by Junior STV out of Leya BRB (by Fandango), to a close 80.70% for the red ribbon. Teya BRN was bred by Bailey West.
Sedoc Leads Colt/Gelding East Coast Series Final
The ProElite/USDF Colt/Gelding East Coast Series Final drew 10 competitors. Lauren Kimmel and Sedoc, a 2022 Dutch Warmblood colt by For Romance out of Noor, scored an 83.512% for the win. Sedoc is owned by Brenda Belt of Dickerson, Maryland, and bred by R. van Wolfswinkel.
Bruce Griffin III and Stairway to Heaven, a 2022 Dutch Warmblood (Zonik–Sonia Langhdt) owned by Kastel Denmark and bred by Charlotte Jorst, earned an 81.75% for second place.
Stallions Show Presence in ProElite/USDF Stallion East Coast Series Final
Branley Ash Nautilus and King Santacruz captured the class with a 79.575%. The 2018 Weser-Elms stallion (FS Numero Uno–Georgina by Dornik B) is owned by Roseview Farms LLC of Wellington, Florida, and bred by Christine Baker.
Janeae Griffin and Phoenix Rising, a 2020 KWPN stallion by Contango out of Jolina (by Vivaldi), claimed the red ribbon with a 77.7%. Phoenix Rising is owned by Ruth Cox of New Bern, North Carolina.
Mares Impress in ProElite/USDF Mare East Coast Series Final
The mares brought both elegance and power. Frank Burns took top honors on Nala BDL STER with an 83.950%. The 2018 KWPN mare by Vitalis out of Heavenly ISF (by UB40) is owned and bred by Frank Burns of Burns Dressage, located in Spring City, Pennsylvania, and handled by Bruce Griffin III and Rebecca Arnold.
Aalykkes Superiella, a 2021 Danish Warmblood mare by So Perfect out of a Talormade Attention mare, earned 83.525% for second place with Shane Diel. The mare is owned and was bred by Cara Kettenbach of North Andover, Massachusetts.
Young Sport Horse Prospects Step Up
In the ProElite/USDF Four-Year-Old Sport Horse Prospect East Coast Series Final, Bridget Hay and her own Vanessa 81.635% earned an 81.625% for the win. Vanessa is an Oldenburg mare by Negro out of Vinja OLD (by Antango du Feuillard) and was bred by Andre Gervais.
Hannah Irons and Dayli Dream, a 2021 Hanoverian mare by Dynamic Dream out of Darnell, scored 80.40% for the red ribbon. Dayli Dream is owned by Laureen Megan of Lovettsville, Virginia, and was bred by Dr. Willhelm and Anneke Froling in Germany.
Breed Show Best Handler Award
The Dressage at Devon 2025 Breed Show Top Handler Award, presented by Joanna Russell of Mrs. Pasture Cookies, was given to King Santacruz of Santacruz Dressage. The award recognizes the handler who demonstrates exceptional skill and professionalism throughout the Breed Show. A regular handler of Hilltop Farm’s horses, Santacruz celebrated a remarkable week that included a surprise proposal to his fiancée, Natalie Regel, in the Dixon Oval.
Performance Division Kicks Off in Style
Thursday FEI Jog
The CDI competition began on Thursday with the FEI Jog sponsored by Unionville Equine Associates. Horses were presented to the ground jury and veterinary delegates for inspection, confirming their fitness to compete. The jog set the stage for the Performance Division, where international riders prepared to enter the Dixon Oval.
Five-Year-Olds Make Their Mark
The FEI Five-Year-Old Dressage Test Final opened with Kimberly Kotch topping the class on her own Salinger H20, a 2020 Oldenburg gelding by Secret out of Bonia BF (by Canto 16).
Emily O’Neil placed second with a 77.20% aboard Charming Boy, a 2020 Pferdestammbuch Weser-Ems gelding by Celebration WE out of Dona Belana.
O’Neil also took third with a 76.80% on Presley, her own 2020 KWPN NA gelding by Asgard’s Ibiza out of Fienna (by Sir Sinclair).
Four-Year-Old Dressage Test Sees Martin on Top
Silva Martin piloted Valballa, a bay Westphalian mare (Velego–Cosmos Girl by Carpalo 2), to an 80.30% to claim the blue ribbon in the USEF Four-Year-Old Dressage Test.
Mila Perry and Jabberwocky Eden, an Oldenburg mare by Jameson RS2 out of Inka’s Eden (by Asgard’s Ibiza), earned 79.0% for the red ribbon.
Six-Year-Olds Raise the Bar
Mary Bahniuk Lauritsen and Orion X, a KWPN gelding by Glock’s Toto Jr. out of Flieka (by Glock’s Voice), topped the FEI Six-Year-Old Dressage Test Final with a 77.30%.
Ben Ebeling and Simba, a 6-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Sezuan’s Donnerhall out of D’Amour (by De Niro), were a close second with a 77.20%.
Third went to Stephanie Pair-Kavitz and Eskobar, a 6-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Escamillo out of Classic Gazelle (by Conen 3), with a 74.00%.
Seven-Year-Old Test Showcases Farouche
In the FEI Seven-Year-Old Dressage Test Final, Silva Martin and Farouche, a 7-year-old Westphalian mare by Foundation 2 out of Cosmos Girl (by Carpalo 2), were the sole entrants but still impressed with a 74.829%.
Looking Ahead
As the sun set on Thursday at the Dixon Oval and the spectators began to gather for the 2025 Masterclass with Ingrid Klimke presented by Capital Square, the 50th Anniversary of Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon moved from the promise of foals and young prospects to the poise of developing performance horses. From future champions on the line to elegant under-saddle debuts, the show continues to deliver moments of excitement, discovery, and equestrian excellence—exactly what Dressage at Devon has done for half a century.
