Appaloosa Becomes Only Stock Breed to Have Individual Class at Prestigious Dressage at Devon

Dr. Ted Zajac and Percussion place second in the 2007 Amateur Handler Class at Dressage at Devon in a large class of Warmbloods. In 2006, Dr. Zajac won the class with a Westphalian mare named Geosephine. Photo provided by Dr. Ted Zajac.

By: Brittany Bevis

The annual Dressage at Devon competition has been a premier North American equestrian event since 1975, attracting world-class  competitors from all over the globe to the historic Devon Horse Show Grounds in Pennsylvania. In just a few weeks, the elegant grandstand will be filled to the brim with equine enthusiasts desperate to catch a glimpse of the top horse and rider teams in the world as they compete for $40,000 during the event’s 40th anniversary.

Equestrians and spectators alike will browse the tree-shaded lanes of the festival area where over 90 vendors will sell everything from food, tack, and clothing to jewelry, art, and ceramics.

“This is a big year for us, and we’re going to celebrate!” says Lori Kaminski, Dressage at Devon President and CEO. “In addition to increasing the Grand Prix Freestyle prize money, we’ve added an FEI Amateur Division as well as an Amateur Handling seminar – and that’s just the beginning. Stay tuned!”

Another exciting addition to the schedule this year will bring some much needed color to the competition… On behalf of the Appaloosa Horse Club, Saucon Inc and Dr. Ted Zajac have sponsored an individual breed class for Appaloosa Horses at Dressage at Devon. The individual breed class will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2015 and is open to horses registered with the Appaloosa Horse Club and owners/exhibitors in good standing with the ApHC.

Nation Champion King Goer, owned by Christine Brady and shown by Dr. Ted Zajac, won many top placings in open in hand and under saddle classes at Dressage at Devon. Photo provided by Dr. Ted Zajac.

Appaloosas have competed at this event in the past, but always within the confines of open classes alongside breeds like Warmbloods, Trakehners, and Andalusians. Now, the Appaloosa is the only stock horse breed that will have an individual breed class at Devon.

“Appaloosas have always been noted for their versatility, and the segue into the Dressage arena came quite naturally,” says Appaloosa enthusiast and previous Devon competitor Dr. Ted Zajac. “Appaloosas have been winning on the line and under saddle at Dressage at Devon since the 1980s with horses like GJ’s Justacen, Faith In Plaudit, King Goer, Fait Accompli, Amaya, Pin Up Dream, and Percussion winning top placings in large classes of Warmbloods.”

“Dressage at Devon has offered individual breed classes among their roster of open and in hand classes for some time. The ability to offer an individual breed class for Appaloosa Horses became possible in 2015. Currently, Dressage at Devon offers individual breed classes for Dutch Warmbloods, Oldenburgs, Trakehners, Fresians, Rheinland Pfalz-Saar, Danish Warmbloods, Andalusians, Iberian Horses, Haflingers, and Arabian Horses. Appaloosa is the first stock horse breed to offer such a class.”

Multiple ApHC National Champion, Faith In Plaudit, owned and shown by Dr. Ted Zajac, won many top placings in hand and under saddle in open classes at Dressage at Devon.Photo provided by Dr. Ted Zajac.

Dr. Zajac is thrilled that this new class will offer a unique opportunity to showcase the versatility of the Appaloosa on the international stage at Dressage at Devon.

During the individual breed class, Appaloosas will be shown on the triangle and judged on conformation and movement. The horses will undergo inspection before walking a small triangle and then trotting a large triangle. Movement will count for 60%, conformation for 30%, and general impression for 10%.

In addition to this speciality Appaloosa class, Appaloosas may also still enter open breed classes like in hand, under saddle, amateur and youth in hand classes, get of sire, and produce of dam.

The 2015 Dressage at Devon competition will take place September 29- October 4th in Devon, PA. For more information about the competition, visit www.DressageatDevon.com.