Wednesday March 24, 2004

Dressage at Devon Backs Up “Born in the USA” Breeders Awards With Cash

The Dressage at Devon Committee and supporters will wave the flag at the Breed Division of the 30 th Annual Dressage at Devon Horse Show with the Born in the USA Breeders Awards, Wednesday, September 29 th in which the highest Scoring US-Bred horses will share thousands in prize money.

Celebrating those horses conceived and foaled in the United States, red, white and blue sashes will adorn high-scorers in 11 categories. Those owners and breeders of the winning horses will also share an in ever-increasing cash purse. To date, more than $5,000 in prize money has been offered by the Dressage at Devon Committee and enthusiastic sponsors, with additional sponsorship pledges arriving every day.

Dressage at Devon is one of the largest breed shows in the world, drawing entries from across the United States and Canada. The Born in the USA Breeders Awards began in 2003 when Dressage at Devon Breed Show Secretary Lori Kaminski of North East, MD sought to acknowledge the success of USA Breeders.  Red, white and blue sashes were placed on the necks of the highest scoring US-bred filly, colt, mare and stallion at the show.  The awards were met with great enthusiasm and the Dressage at Devon Committee voted to back the idea with prize money. Their initial contribution of $800 has been bolstered by several thousand dollars from sponsors in recent weeks.  The prize money is to be split, with breeders receiving 25% and owners receiving 75%.  Breeders Ilona English of Ringoes, NJ and Rachel Ehrlich of New Braintree, MA have taken the lead in seeking sponsorship support for the program. 

Born in the USA Awards will go to high-scoring horses in the following Breed Show classes: Fillies of 2004, Colts of 2004, Yearling Fillies, Yearling Colts/Geldings, Two Year Old Fillies, Two year Old Colts/Geldings, 3 Year Old Fillies, 3 Year Old Colts/Geldings, Mares, Stallions and Ponies.  Scores received in the open breeding classes held on September 28th and 29th at Devon will be used to calculate the winners.  In addition to prize money, all winners will receive Born in the USA rosettes and stall plaques.  The two highest scoring horses overall will receive coolers and neck sashes.  Breeders of winners will also receive Certificates of Achievement and Born in the USA commemorative medals. Awards will be given at a ceremony to be held under the lights in the Dixon Oval on Wednesday evening, September 29, 2004.  All sponsors will be invited to attend. 

In 2003, Dressage at Devon introduced the North American Breeders Futurity Championship Finals for Five and Six Year Old Horses, open to those horses bred in North America. Funded by the ISR-Oldenburg N.A., the prize money, in excess of $20,000, was an unprecedented amount in dressage competition. The class will be held again at Dressage at Devon in 2004.

Opportunities to support the Born in the USA Breeders Awards are available at many levels of sponsorship. For more information contact Dressage at Devon Co-Chair Melanie Sloyer at 610-358-5785 or go to www.dressageatdevon.org.

Related Links
Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at 2004 Dressage at Devon
Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at 2003 Dressage at Devon