Dressage at Devon is pleased to announce that the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) has chosen the show for its 2010 Symposium and General Assembly. WBFSH delegates and its famed international membership comprised of the world’s top breeders will attend DAD for the foal and young horse breed classes, as well as the FEI young horse competitions.

“The DAD breed division showcases a wide range of popular sport horse bloodlines and quality horses,” says Lori Kaminski, president and CEO of Dressage at Devon. “This is a fantastic opportunity for members of the international breeding community to see North America’s best breeding stock.” The Dressage at Devon breed division has been recognized worldwide for its size and prestige, and is considered an ideal venue for the annual WBFSH convention.

“The WBFSH is very excited to have Dressage at Devon as co-host of the 2010 WBFSH Convention,” says Ekkehard Brysch, an organizer of the symposium and also the director of the International Sporthorse Registry and Oldenburg Registry of North America. “[We] feel that we can bring some international flair to the 2010 breed division. It is also a sign of how much sport horse breeding in North America has gained international reputation.”

Brysch continues, “From the view point of the international breeding community, Dressage at Devon is the best known breed show in the U.S. The decision was made to hold the convention at Devon and not in Lexington because the DAD breed division will be the ideal venue for the convention of the delegates from breed organizations from all over the world.”

The WBFSH is the international governing body for the breeding of sport horses and has strict rules for its members. Each year the organization ranks the world’s studbooks in dressage, jumping and eventing. “For the breeding world, the WBFSH is what the FEI is for the equestrian sports,” Brysch explains.

The Dressage at Devon breed division, September 28-30, 2010, has set the standard for breed shows in North America. Competitors come from around the continent to compete

for unmatched prestige and prize money.

“I think it is very important to attend breed shows like Dressage at Devon,” Brysch says. “It gives breeders a good idea about the quality of their horses. It is not mainly about a ribbon-although it is great to win-it’s more about the benchmark experience of every breeder. Of course, not all breeders may want to or be able to show their horses, but even then, it’s extremely important to go and watch the horses that show, and learn about the quality standard that’s current-and take that home and keep improving the personal breeding program.”

It is this and more that has kept Linda Santomenna, owner and president of Blue Waters Farm in Chesapeake City, MD, coming to DAD for 16 years. “Breed shows are essential to my marketing efforts,” she says. “As a smaller breeder, my advertising budget is limited. Our consistent results have brought much needed recognition and legitimacy to our breeding program. The majority of our young prospects have been sold as a direct result of their participation in the breed division.”

Santomenna’s goal is to produce horses that have the interior qualities and structural foundation for top sport. “It is really our heart’s desire to develop a small number of horses really well,” she says.

Their program must be working. BW Corabelle (Contucci x A Jungle Prince) earned the 2004 DAD Filly Championship, Reserve Young Horse Championship and the Cosequin/USDF Filly Reserve Grand Championship. “One of the judges Janet Foy awarded Corabelle a ’10’ for General Impression, with the written comment ‘What could be better?'” Linda recalls. “I still have that score sheet.” That year Blue Waters Farm also won the Breeder’s Group and the Produce of Dam.

In 2006, a full sister to Corabelle, BW Callista, won the Markel/USEF National 4-Year-Old Championship, but also claimed the North American Breeders Futurity 4-Year-Old Reserve Championship at Dressage at Devon. That year the farm also won the Breeders Group, and their colt BW Royal Aire (Royal Prince x A Jungle Prince) won the ISR/Oldenburg NA 2 year old and under class, as well as the GAIG/USDF Reserve Grand Champion Colt.

Linda says, “To win in such esteemed company is an honor. Dressage at Devon is special indeed. First and foremost, the organizers are absolutely superb! The staff is always helpful and friendly and extraordinarily committed to discovering new ways to provide value to participants.”

She continues, “Dressage at Devon is well known for its special ambiance. The grounds are always beautifully prepared and decorated. The Fall Festival provides an outstanding selection of vendors and eateries. The entertainment, educational opportunities and competitors parties all add to the extra special feeling that is uniquely Dressage at Devon.”

Helping support the DAD committee and hundreds of volunteers in making the show an event to remember each year are numerous strategic partners. Among the 2010 sponsors: Brushwood Stable; County Saddlery, the Official Saddler of DAD; Custom Saddlery; Der Dau; Dubarry of Ireland; Horse Tech; King Construction; Laser Equestrian Products; Paddock Saddlery; Performance Saddlery; Rick’s Heritage Saddlery and SmartPak Equine.

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About Dressage at Devon

Dressage at Devon is a 501 (c) (3) PA non-profit organization. Founded by the Delaware Valley Combined Training Association in 1975, Dressage at Devon became a separate organization in 2006. The six-day event attracts more than 700 horses and 35,000 spectators each year. Dressage at Devon benefits Thorncroft Therapeutic Horseback Riding Inc., the oldest and largest therapeutic riding program in the nation.