“Born in the USA,” the familiar tune that rang out as Sonata MF began her Dressage at Devon musical freestyle, was an appropriate introduction for the stylish mare who gracefully passaged into the arena.
In a sport dominated by warmbloods foaled in Europe, the Hanoverian stood out as that rare American-bred who could finish at the top of a highly competitive group in the first qualifier for the 2027 FEI World Cup Finals. Her music, from the Bruce Springsteen anthem to “Country Roads” and “Sweet Home Alabama” underlined her “made in the USA” identity.
Last to start in the 13-horse class, she was ridden by Kingsview Partners Devon regular Kevin Kohmann who is aiming for a fourth World Cup Finals start. The 11-year-old mare was a picture under the lights on a drizzly Saturday night. She showed off a piaffe fan moments after her entrance, then relaxed beautifully into the walk after her collected gaits.
The rest of her performance unfolded seamlessly, sending Sonata to the top of the class. She finished on 77.105 percent, with the judge at C, Cesar Torrente, giving her a mark of 79.150.
North Carolina breeder Maryanna Haymon produced Sonata (Sir Donnerhall X Don Principe), a full sister to Serenade MF who was ridden by Alice Tarjan in the 2023 FEI World Cup Final.
“I cannot thank her enough for breeding this horse,” said Kevin, who commented about his victory, “I did not expect that.”
Kevin acknowledges his supporters.
“I expected it would be good, but not that good. You have no idea how I feel right now,” he told me, all smiles as he thought about his evening and how his mare responded to Devon’s always-electric atmosphere.
“The mind of this horse is unbelievable.”
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of Canada finished a close second on Jaccardo.
Sonata originally was purchased about a year ago by Diamante Farms in Wellington, Fla., for Kevin’s wife, Devon (her mother assured me a few years ago her daughter was not named after the show.)
“Devon thought I was on a roll and she was like, `You need another horse.’ She was kind enough to share her with me,” said Kevin, a native of Germany who is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Devon was only Kevin’s third CDI (international) competition with the mare, who previously won the Grand Prix Special at TerraNova on Florida’s west coast.
The Devon showgrounds is special to Kevin, who calls it “Our American Aachen.”
Kevin Kohmann and Sonata MF on their way to the win.
Much of its appeal comes from the loyal spectators who turned out on a day when less enthusiastic fans might have chosen to stay home. The inclement weather led to power outages and some rearrangement of the class schedule and rings by an excellent management team, but those who came to watch ignored the skies to cheer on their favorites.
The groom award went to Kevin’s wife, who grooms for him. And he grooms for her. She rode Vamos to finish seventh in the class on a mark of 74.180 percent.
The couple is busy with their extra duties, but they’re also “best friends, partners in crime,” said Kevin. Asked how they handle it all, he replied, “You got stuff done.”
He has been riding Sonata only for approximately six months, but he’s getting help from his wife, who came up with the idea for the freestyle’s all-American theme.
“We work very well together,” he said proudly.
Understandably, Kevin can’t shower enough praise on Sonata, who was trained to Grand Prix by Amanda Perkowski.
“She’s a wonderful horse. You go in her stall, she immediately shows you where to scratch her,” he said of the 11-year-old bay.
He added, “She is 16.1, she is actually tiny, but once that mare starts moving, you can’t see it. I’m 6-foot-tall, I look good on the horse, she’s absolutely incredible.”
Next month, he’s headed to a show in Mexico for the next stage in his World Cup Finals quest.
In Friday night’s Freestyle qualifier, Kevin wound up third, behind Canadians Camille Carier Bergeron (Finnlanderin) and Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu (Jaccardo). The Canadians’ order of finish was reversed Saturday, with Brittany a close second on 76.515 percent and Camille third.
The freestyle stars: Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu, Camille Carier Bergeron, Kevin Kohmann and judge Cesar Torrente.
When I asked Camille about her ambitions to make next year’s World Cup in Sweden, she explained her priority for 2027 actually is the Pan American Games in Peru. Canada was not one of the seven nations at last summer’s World Championships that qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. So the Pan Ams, where Canada can make the cut for Los Angeles, is job one on the agenda.
Click here for Grand Prix Freestyle results. Click here for Grand Prix Special results.
