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Thursday, September 15 2022 / Published in Weekly Feature

A Tribute to Tradition

By George Williams

There is little doubt that dressage is steeped in deep tradition. Surprisingly, however, there are very few dressage shows that have been recognized by US Equestrian as “Heritage Competitions.” While there are admittedly few of these, one that I am personally fond of—and is perhaps the most famous— is nestled in the town of Devon, Pennsylvania. Since July 2, 1896, horse shows have been held on those grounds. That is 126 years of horse shows! This year, Dressage at Devon runs from September 27 through October 2.

Some may call the shows quaint and small. I prefer to think of them as charming and intimate. Dressage at Devon, a veritable newcomer at just under half a century, has been in existence for over 45 years (since 1975). The crowds on Saturday night for the freestyles are a mix of local residents looking for entertainment and horse enthusiasts from different parts of the country as well as sometimes from overseas. This diversity contributes to the creation of an electric atmosphere, making competing in the Dixon Oval even more fun and rewarding. Over the years (or shall I say decades?), Devon has become a destination where friends from afar meet to catch up with each other while strolling under the trees among the many distinctive vendors on the grounds, shopping, grabbing a bite to eat or just enjoying a beer or glass of local wine in the beer garden … all the while sharing a love of dressage and horses.

Shows like Devon are not only special, but they are also crucial to our sport. They provide a unique opportunity for the public to become more acquainted with dressage in an inviting atmosphere that is pure enjoyment. In many ways, these shows also become an inspiration to the newly initiated and to the children who come with their Pony Clubs and barns for the activities offered. 

I saw this happen with the North American Young Rider Championships when it was held for a number of years at Tempel Farms. Not only did it inspire younger riders in the area around Chicago, it generated interest throughout all of Region 2, ultimately helping Region 2 field very competitive Young Rider teams. I believe the CDI2* in Katy, Texas, has had a similar positive impact on the regional dressage scene. There’s no question that the Dressage4Kids Youth Dressage Festival in Saugerties, New York, has helped bring young people from quite a wide geographical swath into dressage. It’s my understanding that part of the vision of the organizers of the 2023 FEI World Cup Final in Omaha is to create a more permanent interest in dressage and jumping throughout the Midwest. These may not yet be Heritage Competitions, but let’s hope they stay around long enough to one day earn the title.

How many have dreamed of having the opportunity to compete in the Dixon Oval? To see their name in lights on the scoreboard next to the archway that proclaims “Devon Horse Show: Where Champions Meet”? These shows can motivate the local equestrian community, not just as competitors, but as spectators, volunteers and as supporters of our sport. They can draw the interest of the non-equestrian community as well—especially one like Devon, which is situated with over a dozen colleges just down the road from it along the Philadelphia Main Line in the middle of a highly populated area. It’s within walking distance of a hotel and restaurants aplenty in the neighborhood.

We’ve all heard it said that dressage is Eurocentric. It should be our goal to make certain that within our country it does not become Florida- or California-centric. It would be wonderful if we could have more shows like Devon spread around the 50 states. But let me be clear, in my mind there is only one Devon and we need to do what we can to ensure that this Heritage Competition will be here for a long time to come so that it continues to put horses and riders’ names in lights Where Champions Meet.

Photo:

The Devon archway that proclaims, “Devon Horse Show: Where Champions Meet.”

Photo by Lisa Davis Engel

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: devon horse show, devon Pennsylvania, dressage, dressage-at-devon

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The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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