Day Five of the Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon brought together past and present in a blend of pageantry and high-level sport. As the fifth day of the Performance Division unfolded, the Dixon Oval celebrated 50 years of dressage tradition with a nostalgic Legends of Devon Parade before giving way to electric performances in the CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Freestyle, the CDI3* Grand Prix Special and a full slate of small tour classes.
Legends of Devon Parade Sets Tone for Evening Class
A festive Legends of Devon Parade celebrating 50 years of Dressage at Devon featured riders, judges, handlers and breeders donning red and black while circling the Dixon Oval before the start of the CDI-W FEI Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Kingsview Partners. It was a celebration of friends and living legends to the delight of the audience.
Grand Prix Freestyle Under the Lights
An opening ceremony featuring a color guard and a choir from nearby Villanova University singing the National Anthem kicked off the evening on Saturday, Sept. 27. The FEI CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Kingsview Partners, featured 17 dancing horse-and-rider duos performing advanced dressage moves to a musical score of their choosing.
Benjamin Ebeling and Ann Romney’s 15-year-old Hanoverian mare Bellena earned a 77.665% to capture the thrilling win in a freestyle created by Karen Robinson. Bellena is by Belissimo NRW out of Wellfair 3 by Weiser 2.
“That was an electric environment to be sure,” Ebeling said. “There’s no place like Dressage at Devon. This was a big step in getting my horse acclimated in big environments in an arena like this.” When asked about the highlight of the freestyle, he cited Bellena’s extended walk in the freestyle because, despite the atmosphere, she relaxed and put her trust in him.
Kevin Kohmann and Dünenesee, whose barn name is Denzel, placed second with a 77.005%. Denzel is a 16-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Dancier out of Doublette W by Onassis and owned by Diamante Farms.
“I’m super thrilled,” Kohmann said, adding that the atmosphere in the Dixon Oval was electric. “It feels like a big show in Europe. I love it here. This was the show where I rode this freestyle the first time and I’m here one year later to ride it again.”
Meagan Davis and Toronto Lightfoot captured third place with a 73.315%. Toronto Lightfoot is a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Totilas out of Okima Lightfoot by Onassis owned by Scott Durkin. Davis said the one-tempi changes seemed like a real highlight of the freestyle created by Terry Gallo.
“He was actually pretty electric but rideable, which I’ve been looking to find in the ring,” she said. “I wanted to add a little power and keep that softness, because I’ve worked really hard on building a relationship with him.”
She said she’s risen up the ranks and competed at Devon in FEI ponies, juniors, Young Riders, the small tour and Grand Prix. “Devon’s such a great, confidence builder for everybody to be able to go out in that ring and get the experience from ponies to Grand Prix riders. It’s just a great show.
DVCTA Quadrille Exhibition
Adding to the excitement of the evening, the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association (DVCTA) Quadrille Team presented an illuminating exhibition during the Grand Prix Freestyle. The riders appeared in red royal robes with their horses adorned in glowing lights, performing a choreographed routine that blended precision and creativity. The performance concluded with the team raising a glowing “50” sign at the end of the arena, a fitting tribute to Dressage at Devon’s 50th Anniversary.
Marek Takes the Grand Prix Special
The late afternoon’s FEI CDI3* Grand Prix Special presented by Iron Spring Farm featured 10 horse-and-rider combinations.
Anna Marek and Fayvel, Cynthia Davilia’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding, bested the rest by scoring a 68.851%. Fayvel is by Zizi Top out of Ofra by Houston.
“Today, I wanted to kind of push a little bit more, take a little bit more risk, and just kind of see if I could get that extra flair in the ring,” Marek said. “I was very careful in the warm-up not to overdo that. I felt like today was one of the better feelings that I’ve had with the energy level.”
Following her win, Marek’s longtime groom Katherine Esterline received the Dominion Hemp Grooms Award for the FEI CDI3* Grand Prix Special. Presented by Dominion Hemp, the award included a $250 cash prize in recognition of Esterline’s dedication and care. “Kate is an amazing groom for me,” Marek said. “No one knows these horses like she does, and she has a wonderful way of keeping both horses and humans calm in stressful situations. She’s traveled with us to Europe and to the World Cup in 2024, and no one deserves recognition at Dressage at Devon more than her.”
Tina Konyot and Grover, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Konyot and Earle I. Mack LLC, placed 67.021%. Grover is by Everdale out of Foja by United. During the test, straight one-tempi changes and a soft connection had her score climbing its way to the top of the leaderboard when Grover’s foot hit the rail near “H” and it affected their score. “That was just one of those things that he had to face,” she said.
Ali Potasky and her own Inxs, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Everdale out of Whinca by Rousseau, claimed third place with a 66.255%. “Yesterday I had a few bobbles and I wanted to clean it up,” Potasky said. “I’ve been practicing it more and more to get more technical. So today, I was happy that I rode with a plan and he was really on the aids.”
Small Tour Successes
The FEI or equivalent TOC class presented by Hilltop Farm included 10 horse and rider duos competing in the Prix St. Georges test: three riding the Intermediare-I test and two riding in the Intermediaire-II test.
JJ Tate and Cackie Vroom’s Denali took the top score in the Intermediare-I with a 70.588%. Denali is an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Harmony’s Don Noblesse out of Shakira, a Scolari mare.
Silva Martin placed second with Janice Murdoch’s Zaphir by earning a 68.676% in the Intermediaire-I. Zaphir is a 14-year-old American Warmblood by Zodiac out of Quantas 20 by Quaterback 6.
“He was fabulous, he was listening great and he was really, really good,’ she enthused. “I was very happy with him. I’ve had some help from Christoph Hess in Germany and he’s helped me a lot.”
Fraser-Beaulieu Edges Intermediaire I
The FEI CDI1* Intermediaire-I presented by Kentucky Performance Products class was hotly contested as 19 talented horse-and-rider combinations took their turns going down centerline with some exciting results.
Canadian Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu edged out the competition on Fürst Foundation with a 71.814%. “Today he showed quite a lot of power throughout the whole test,” she said. “I thought it very nice. It was clean. He’s a workhorse in there. It’s a new partnership and we’re getting to know each other, but I’m just so proud of how he handled the atmosphere.”
Fürst Foundation is a 2014 Hanoverian gelding by Foundation 2 out of Dancing Queen by De Niro. He is owned by Deer Ridge Equestrian and was bred by Axel Baumgartner.
Anna Marek placed a close second aboard Lareau D.E., a 9-year-old KWPN gelding by Rousseau out of Fiminente P by Oscar, owned by Dark Horse Partnership. Marek has found herself in the awards ceremonies throughout the show and her score of 71.618% clinched another trip to the winner’s circle.
She rode him Friday where he was a bit nervous in the arena but he was well-behaved with no mistakes. “I just asked him for a bit more power today and he was amazing,” she said. “He has all this energy, but it’s not tension. It’s really wanting-to-work-with-me energy. He’s one of my favorite horses I’ve ever had!”
Camille Carier Bergeron and Pilegardens Dreamer earned the third placing with a 70.196%. Pilegardens Dreamer, a 10-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding by Glock’s Dream Boy out of Dior by De Noir 3, are owned by Giles Bergeron and Camille Carier Bergeron and was bred by Briggite Skov Larsen.
“He felt like he had so much power and so much potential for the future,” she said. “I’m really happy with how him in all the atmosphere here in this big stadium. It’s really super exciting.”
Fourth Level Test 3 Class Sponsored by Dover Saddlery
Silva Martin and Farouche took top honors in the Fourth Level Test 3 class sponsored by Dover Saddlery, earning an impressive 75.416%. The result added another highlight to Martin’s successful week at Dressage at Devon as she continued to showcase her depth of talent across multiple mounts. Farouche is a 2018 Westphalian mare (Foundation—Cosmos Girl), owned by Christine Capano, and bred by Pascal Kandziora.
Up-and-Comers in the Spotlight
Although Abby Fodor and Dazzle were the only entrants in the CDIU25 FEI Grand Prix 16-25 presented by Dressage4Kids, they laid down a solid test with a 62.795%.
Dazzle is a 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Anartz Chanca Palomares and sired by Danone 4 out of Leonie, who goes back to Londonderry 3. His 21-year-old rider has trained with Heather Mason since the age of 12 and she is a part of the 2025 USEF/USDF Emerging Athlete Program.
“I think today was just overall a better day,” Fodor said, referencing Dazzle’s Friday performance. She said he excels in flying changes. “They’re big and expressive; lateral work is really good. Everything’s pretty solid.”
Amateur Riders Show Their Style
The FEI Intermediaire I for Amateur (CDIAm) class presented by Plantation Field Equestrian Events resulted in Elizabeth Hart and Ghold Rush claiming the blue ribbon with a 60.980% while Kerry Karangelen and Johnny Cash are going home with the red ribbon after earning a 59.069%.
Ghold Rush is a 2029 Oldenburg mare sired by Gold Luck and from the dam Anike, who goes back to Archipel. She is owned by Hart who has more than 90 results in jumping and dressage. Johnny Cash is a 2015 KWPN gelding sired by Mister Capri Jr. and from the dam Wyomi Utopia, who goes back to Krack C. He is owned by Kavalo LLC. Karangelen has more than 50 results in jumping and dressage.
Conclusion
From living legends parading the Dixon Oval to thrilling freestyles and tightly contested small tour classes, Day 5 of the Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon delivered a showcase of excellence and tradition. As the Performance Division moves toward its final days, both seasoned professionals and rising stars continue to make their mark in one of America’s most iconic dressage arenas.
