82 SIDELINESMAY 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
DevonKane:
TheGraceKelly
OfDressage
DevonKane has come up thorough the ranks of theUnited
States dressage programs. Shemade hermark inYoungRiders
with aNorthAmerican Junior &YoungRider Championships
(NAJYRC) individual goldmedal in 2007 and continued training
with some of theworld’s best before officially becoming the head
trainer at her family’sDiamanteFarms in 2013.
This year, Devonmade the leap into successfully competing
at theCDI GrandPrix level. Despite her success throughout her
dressage journey, Devon is about as far from a dressage divaas
possible. She’s not afraid of hardwork, gives back generously
to theequestrian community andwears a smileeverywhere she
goes. She has been called theGraceKelly of dressageand
that’s a title that ismost fitting.We caught upwithDevonand
foundout a littlemoreabout her.
1.
Howdid youget interested indressage?
I found dressage after playing in the hunter and jumper
world for a few years. I had decided toquit riding after a few
unfortunateaccidents, but I began tomiss thehorses andmy
momwas intent that I not give it up. I found a dressagebarnand
was prettymuch addicted from the first lesson.
2.
Is it a coincidence that youhaveworked
mostlywith successful Olympians?
Yes and no.When I met MichelleGibson at a clinic inTexas
and she invitedme to come be aworking student for the
summer, my life changed. Andworkingwith her, the bar of what
I experiencedandwhat I was used towas set high. I have been
very fortunate to havewell-accomplished trainers and coaches. I
alsobelieve that you can learn something fromanyone, despite
their title or accomplishments.
3.
IsmakinganOlympic teamoneof your
goals?
Olympics is a dream for every rider! Just starting our Grand
Prix career, I feel likewehavea really strong futurewithonly
better things to come from here. My horse, Destiny, is hugely
talented in somanyways, but he is also very hot and hot-
tempered, and it is really important forme to think of his future
and bemindful not to push too hardnow. He is youngand has
many years togo. Right now I want to keep raisingmy scores
and developing a steady but powerful test. I want to take him to
our national championships in a fewmonthswhenhe is even
stronger andmore powerful. I plan to takehim over toGermany
this summer and continue trainingwithHubertusSchmidt while
competing in theGrandPrixCDIs.
4.
What do you like about Destiny?
I brought Desi out at ThirdLevel. Hewas always a very
talented horse, but hewas a littlemuch to handlewhen he
was younger. He gained confidence through learningmore
movements and collection. Hehas becomemoreandmore
comfortable thehigher upwe train through the levels. Hewas a
great small tour horse. He came in sixth and fourth at Developing
HorseChampionships two years ina row. Hequalified for the
Intermediaire1Championships at 9 years old in the tophalf,
but wewereunable to go becausewe hadamandatory family
vacation to celebratemymom’s birthday (haha). He keeps
getting better and better, and he loves towork.
e
SidelinesTopTen -Dressage
Devon andDestiny
Photo bySusanJStickle.com
DevonKane
Photoby JackMancini,
