Dressage at Devon is a one-of-a-kind horse show, a unique celebration which this year elevated its offerings with additional exhibitions and learning opportunities to reach a bigger, more varied audience. The organizers put in an incredible amount of work to make it a creative multi-dimensional happening, and they succeeded.
There was a time when Devon was the goal of many top riders in the autumn. But now it’s competing with regional shows, the Florida circuit, a different calendar and a new migration pattern that has evolved over the years since it was a “must” destination. So it needs some added attractions to insure it remains relevant.
But its core attraction has never changed. Everyone who has ridden in the Dixon Oval under the lights rhapsodizes about how special it is. Some compare it to what they encounter in Europe, with the crowds and a heightened since of excitement. It’s a special opportunity conveniently located in a suburb of Philadelphia.
Marcus Orlob, who won both the 1-star FEI Prix St. Georges (72.010 percent) and the 1-star FEI Intermediate I (73.725) with Alice Tarjan’s stallion, J.J. Glory Day, said his biggest goal for 2023 was to show at Devon “because of the electric atmosphere.”
Marcus Orlob and J.J. Glory Day. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
He’s preparing to do the Intermediate II next year, and after that “this horse I think, has the talent to go all the way.”
To the Olympics?
“Probably,” he smiled.
Alice also was a double winner with Jane, taking the 2-star FEI Intermediate A (71.814 percent) and the 2-star FEI Intermediate II (71.088).
Jane was bouncing around waiting for the awards ceremony, which Alice attributed to an abundance of tension for a horse who hasn’t been shown much recently.
Alice Tarjan and Jane (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Asked for a comment on her mare’s performance, Alice said with a laugh, “it’s a work in progress. She’s here for the experience.” And in the ring, anyway, “She’s always a good girl.”
Horses showing in the same venue week after week, as they do in Florida at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington or at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala get used to those surroundings, which can take the edge off. If they move on to foreign shows or championships, however, they will have to adjust to a new experience in a short amount of time. Dressage at Devon offers good practice for that, with not only the competition, but also the bells and whistles of the trophy presentation ceremony and victory lap.
Kim Herslow had a good ride at Devon on Elvis HI in 2021, but it took her until this year’s edition of the show to take that victory lap after collecting her ribbon. She and the horse’s co-owner, Ailene Cascio, finally got their moment in the winner’s circle after a frustrating journey.
Elvis was second in both the 2021 Intermediate I and I-1 freestyle to Cesar Parra on Belle Ami. But as part of an agreement with the FEI (international equestrian federation) connected to an “Equine Controlled Medication Rule Violation” involving Benzocaine, Belle Ami was disqualified late in 2021.
Kim missed being able to ride victory passes on Elvis in front of the crowd two years ago (Parra got that honor). Disqualification didn’t happen until months after the show. Even then, there was a long delay in receiving the redistributed prize money. While that finally came this summer, the big moment in the arena and the ribbon were not part of it.
But Devon made good on the ceremony in this year’s edition, with Kim, Ailene and Elvis in the ring at last to get their photo op.
Elvis HI’s owner Ailene Cascio with presenter Paul Eason and Kim Herslow on Elvis HI at their long-delayed victory ceremony. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
The trophies that accompanied the victories already had been engraved with the names of Parra and his mount, but they went back to the engraver after the show was notified of the FEI decision. The word “disqualified” now stands next to their names.
“It was nice to see; to get some credit for what Elvis did back two years ago. It was nice for Ailene too, she’s been on this journey with this horse longer than I have. To see her get that credit is a wonderful thing,” said Kim.
As Ailene noted, “It makes me happy that our sport is clean; that the recognition is going where it should go and people aren’t getting away with things. And Dressage at Devon stepped up and made it right.”
(Cover photo is Adrienne Morella on the 26-year-old Arabian King’s Ransom)