2007 Dressage at Devon Presented by WT Direct

Lauren Sammis and Sagacious Give Judy Guden a Special Gift

Judy Guden, who with her husband, Al, owns Hyperion Farm, received a special gift during a break in Friday’s Grand Prix competition. Lauren Sammis, who earlier this summer helped the U.S. team to a gold medal in the Pan American Games and earned for herself an individual silver medal, gave Judy a chance to see what she missed. Judy is battling cancer and was unable to attend the Pan American Games to see her beloved Sagacious compete.

Hence, Lauren asked Dressage at Devon organizers if she could ride her winning freestyle during a ring break at Devon so that Judy could see it first-hand. The organizers obliged and on Friday evening, a crowd of spectators joined Judy in watching Lauren and Sagacious HF, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, perform their freestyle. Sammis said that it’s Sagacious who gives Judy a reason to get up each day. Judy’s husband, Al, has said the highlight of his wife’s day is going to the barn to see Sagacious.

Sagacious is clearly an important part of Judy’s life. Sammis and Sagacious presented Judy with a beautiful, flowing ride set to the music of Billy Joel. Following their ride, they were joined by other members of the U.S. team for the Pan American Games in wishing Judy a speedy recovery.