DEVON, Pa.--Kevin Kohmann on Sonata MH won the CDI‑W Grand Prix Freestyle while Erin Nichols on Elian Royale won the Grand Prix Special CDI3* on Saturday evening, Sept. 26 at Dressage at Devon.
Kevin Kohmann on Sonata MF (Photo by Bethany P Photograph)The Freestyle delivered one of the most spirited atmospheres of the week, with a strong, competitive field and a crowd that showed up in numbers despite the steady rain.
It became, in every sense, a night of dancing in the rain—a fun, high‑energy class where music, movement, and audience enthusiasm blended together under the lights of the Dixon Oval.
Thirteen riders embraced the conditions with creativity and confidence, turning the stormy backdrop into part of the performance as they contested this marquee freestyle qualifier.
Kohmann won the Freestyle with a score of 77.105%, performing an American‑themed freestyle that felt perfectly suited to the U.S. bred mare.
Sonata MF showed impressive confidence for a young Grand Prix horse, matching the rhythm of the music with lift, reach, and fluidity while Kohmann’s choreography showcased her athleticism and balance.
BRITTANY Fraser‑Beaulieu of Canada on Jaccardo, placed second with 76.515%, riding to a vibrant mix of pop music—including a playful nod to Britney Spears—that energized the crowd.
Camille Carier Bergeron of Canada on Finnländerin finished third with 76.505%, delivering a freestyle defined by rhythmic precision and high difficulty.
Finnländerin’s springy passage bounced perfectly in time with the music, creating a performance that made the crowd want to clap along.
The Grand Prix Special delivered classical dressage at its finest—precision, power, and harmony showcased by an international field.
Six riders demonstrated exceptional stamina and accuracy in one of the sport’s most demanding tests.
Nichols won the Grand Prix Special with a composed, technically confident performance that highlighted the gelding’s expressive Dutch breeding.
Scoring 69.447%, Elian Royale demonstrated a striking balance of power and elasticity throughout the test.
Closing the class as the final rider, Christopher Hickey on Stenagers Wyatt Earp placed second with a score of 67.447% after delivering an expressive, forward ride that showcased the gelding’s scope and presence.
Elizabeth Bortuzzo and Silva Martin were decidedly dominant in Saturday’s CDI-1* FEI Intermediaire I.
The two U.S. riders and their multiple mounts claimed all of the top five placings in the second portion of the CDI-1* small tour competition.
Bortuzzo on Next Pleasure won the class win with a personal best score of 70.088%, an improvement of nearly four percent over their score in Friday’s CDI-1* FEI Prix St. Georges.
They won over the 10 other entries.
The winner of Friday’s CDI-1* Prix St. Georges, Martin on Valballa, was the class’s runner up by a very narrow margin, less than half a percentage point behind with a 69.647%.
Martin also placed third place with her other ride, Irintha, who received a nearly identical score of 69.618%.
Bortuzzo’s other two entries, Mister Pleasure and Vital Hit Caledonia OLD earned fourth and fifth place, respectively, with scores just barely behind the others.
