In a class brimming with young equine talent, Silva Martin and Valballa rose to the top, clinching the ProElite/USDF Four-Year-Old Materiale Championship at the 50th Anniversary Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon. Wednesday marked the second day of Breed Division competition, and the Dixon Oval buzzed with energy as 14 promising horses and riders stepped forward.

Photo – Silva Martin and Valballa won the ProElite/USDF Four-Year-Old Materiale Championship at the Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon. (Susan J Stickle Photography)

Martin piloted the 4-year-old bay Westphalian Riding Horse mare (Velego–Cosmos Girl, Carpalo 2) to an impressive 80.30%. Martin only recently imported Valballa from Germany and has had the mare in the U.S. for about three weeks. She said they just “kind of jumped into cold water” when they decided to show at Dressage at Devon.

Most Value

Bridget Hay and her own Vanessa captured the Reserve Championship aboard her 4-year-old Oldenburg mare Vanessa. (Photo: Susan J. Stickle Photography)

When asked what she values most about Valballa, Martin didn’t hesitate. “Well, I think her best attribute is that rideability. She’s so nice and soft and she’s naturally very supple; she’s very strong. She knows she’s good, she knows she’s pretty and I love that.

“I’m a big fan of riding mares in competition,” she said, adding that she believes it’s a “mistake to breed to mares that haven’t been good in sport. I think the mare is so, so important in any kind of breeding.”

Martin is one of six riders selected to participate in an exclusive 2025 Dressage at Devon 50th Anniversary Masterclass with Ingrid Klimke, presented by Capital Square on Thursday evening, Sept. 25. Learn more and purchase tickets at dressageatdevon.org/masterclass.

Reserve Champions: Bridget Hay and Vanessa

Not far behind, Bridget Hay captured the Reserve Championship aboard her 4-year-old Oldenburg mare Vanessa (Negro–Vinja OLD, Antango du Feuiillard), bred by Andre Gervais. Their score of 80.15% reflected the mare’s power and potential.

Hay has owned Vanessa since she was a yearling and delights in the mare’s personality. “She gets nervous and she needs miles to settle, but she is so much fun because you never feel worried on her. She’s just a super good girl who tries, tries, tries, tries, tries.”

A breeder herself, Hay praised Vanessa’s willingness and athleticism. “She’s by Negro and we know Negro can produce some super horses and he is an amazing dam sire.”