2004 Dressage at Devon - Breed Show

Jan Brons and Up to Date Reign Supreme

September 29, 2004

Because of the torrential rain storm that flooded the streets of Devon and put the 2004 Devon Breed show on Hold, the 3-year old colts and geldings materiale was postponed to Wednesday September 29, 2004.

The postponement could not prevent Jan Brons from claiming the victory in the 3-year old colts and gelding materiale. Riding his rambunctious KWPN colt Up-to-Date, Brons reigned supreme in a class which featured three very good top placing horses.

Brons' Up-to-date, who is owned by Peter Ruig Paard Hill Farm, was the very first horse that gave a superb impression in the show ring. The Flemmingh x Argus offspring showed three superb gaits which were uphill, well engaged and showed a good amount of elasticity.

Judges Janet Brown and Anne Gribbons were unanimous in their decision to place Up-to-date first. "He has solid, extravagant, uphill gaits," Janet Brown said, while Anne Gribbons added, "It's his canter that did it. He has very good balance and was nicely shown."

Up to Date beat second placed Carol Caroll's U Pearl Harbor, a chestnut KWPN branded colt by Indoctro out of Okerroos (by Jet Set D). "The trot and canter of this horse was very good," Anne Gribbons said. "Unfortunately his walk was too tense. Even in hand, he was tense and behaved stalliony. But both the first and second placed horses were very solid movers."

Making a very solid impression as well was the 3-year old pony colt Glenhaven Barrosa Valley. Bred by Suzanne J Moody and owned by Angela Malony, Barossa Valley is by Powysvalley Trooper York out of Derwen Tequilla (by Derwin Replica). This pony had a superb trot with a fantastic active, engaged hind leg. "The pony could have been the winner of the class," Anne Gribbons said," if he had been a bit more uphill. He is an active, quality pony, but his riding was not as well presented. He was too much behind the vertical."

Text and Photos by Astrid Appels

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