Earlier in the day, I ran into George Williams, famous for his wildly popular freestyle victories here with the black mare, Rocher. He no longer rides Rocher; her owner, Joanne Smith, told me she will be aboard the veteran for amateur competition next year when the horse turns 19.
But George has another elegant black horse, second yesterday in the I-1.
Listen: George WilliamsI asked George, head of the U.S. Equestrian Federation's Dressage High Performance Committee, what he thought of the turnout at Dressage at Devon. While he noted the breeding divisions were down about 25 percent and the Grand Prix ranks were a little light, he felt that was just a cyclical thing and cited the huge entry for the PSG/I-1.
There were just 10 rides in the freestyle and while considering the rain that might have been enough, I would have liked to see a few more horses in contention, though I understand that there were an unusual number of dropouts for the reasons given above. But since there has been talk for awhile of a dearth at the upper level. I asked Linda Zang what she thought.
"When I look at what's happening in the U.S., I think we're having a little bit of a lull with the recession,'' she commented.
"We're now starting to see a new group, new faces of young riders coming through. Maybe it's not the same amount of numbers, but they're coming and they're starting and it's going to get better and stronger.''
I think she's right--we just have to be patient. Next year won't be the year to draw conclusions at Dressage at Devon, however, since it clashes with the WEG in Kentucky. Such a shame; they tried to resolve the conflict, but they couldn't. Still I'm sure it will remain one of the country's most interesting shows, even against that kind of competition. And there's another draw here, great shopping. You can get the latest in equestrian wear, jewelry in all price ranges, tack, artwork, fabulous knick-knacks. It's all part of the scene that makes this show so special.
So for more glimpses of Dressage at Devon, be sure to look at my photo gallery. And I'll be sending you another postcard next Sunday from the Platinum Performance/U.S. Equestrian Federation Medal Finals East, so check in.
Until then,
