Dressage at Devon Perpetual

In addition to the trophies that are awarded annually by AHS through its comprehensive awards program, AHS is also associated with one of the most coveted trophies awarded each September at Dressage at Devon. Based at the show grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania, Dressage at Devon, or “DAD” as it is fondly known, has grown in stature each year since its inception in 1975. Incorporating three days of breed classes in conjunction with one of this nation’s premier dressage events, DAD presents the largest breed show in the western hemisphere.

Each year, breeders large and small from all corners of North America descend upon Devon’s showgrounds for three days of exciting and intense breed competition. In 1990, Priscilla Hanford, then AHS vice president, generously commissioned a beautiful bronze of a Hanoverian mare accompanied by an equally exquisite foal to be presented as a perpetual trophy at Devon. This unique work of art created by artist Karin Natsch Leary is entitled “American Hanoverians” and was first awarded in 1992.

The Dressage at Devon American Hanoverian Society trophy is awarded to the highest placing eligible Hanoverian horse in the open breed classes. An eligible Hanoverian is one that has been either registered by AHS or is a foreign Hanoverian that has been recorded by AHS. In addition, the owner of the horse must be a current-year AHS member. The trophy is not necessarily awarded to the Hanoverian horse that attains the highest percentage score during the show, but rather it is awarded to the horse that advances furthest through the Championship rounds.

The breed classes are initially divided by age and gender. The winners and reserves of the young horse classes then advance to either the Filly Championship or the Colt Championship which results in the naming of the Champion and Reserve Young Horse Champion of the show. Concurrently the older horses compete for entry to either the Mare Championship or the Stallion Championship. In head to head competition, a team of judges chooses the Champion and Reserve Mature Horse Champion who then compete directly against the two winners from the Young Horse Championship. In a culminating event, these four horses (not necessarily Hanoverians) compete against each other for the undisputed title of Grand Champion at Dressage at Devon, the most prestigious honor of its kind.

The following list of annual winners includes some of the most prominent names in the modern American Hanoverian breed, including four--SPS Wintersong, EM Berlina, EM Capricia and Liberty Gold--that were named Dressage at Devon Grand Champion.

Gallery of Champions

Click on one of the thumbnails below to browse through available images of the previous winners listed below. Please forward your photos (glossy prints or high-resolution digital files, *tif, *eps, *jpg (900 x 1200 pixels minimum on CD, DVD or Zip) to the AHS Office. E-mail single digital files to . All professional photos must include the photographer's name and a release for publication.

Dressage at Devon Perpetual Trophy Recipients

YearHorseSireDamDamsireOwnerBreeder(s)
2022Frida Kahlo QCFranklinRhosemaryRosentanzJonathan Clark & Quintenn Alstonsame
2021Davina BDacaprioFancinovaFabuleuxRaisa Volkova & Svetlana Von WernichBarb A. Schmidt & Frederick J. Abbett
2019ScantolinaScolariWarinaWeltmeyerJonathan Clark & Quintenn AlstonJan-Peter Hartlef
2018BingottiBugattiWolkenfeeKrack CDon and Kathleen Swalwell,
Three Fillies Farm
Don and Kathleen Swalwell, Three Fillies Farm
2017Danae MFDoctor Wendell MFEM Rising Star MFRotsponMaryanna Haymon Maryanna Haymon
2016Royal Celeste FHRoyal ClassicD'LorienneDiamond HitEliza Rutherford (Quintann Alston lessee)Eliza Rutherford
2015Danae MFDon PrincipeEM Rising StarRotsponMaryanna Haymon Maryanna Haymon
2014Dansuse MFDon PrincipeEM Fuerst Dancer MFFuerst HeinrichMaryanna HaymonMaryanna Haymon
2013Duet MFDon PrincipeEM RotinaRotsponMaryanna HaymonMaryanna Haymon
2012David Bowie MFDon PrincipeEM RotinaRotsponMaryanna HaymonMaryanna Haymon
2011EM RheporterRoyal PrinceEM WhispreWeltmeyerMaurine SwansonMaurine Swanson
2010Conturri HTFContucciKomtess VRivermanHilltop FarmHilltop Farm
2009Pikko del Cerro HUPik LRohweenaRohdiamantHorses UnlimitedHorses Unlimited
2008Cha Cha
[Reg. name EM Comtesse]
CordobaWunderschoneHilltop FarmHeinrich Bolte
2007EMC Wrazzle DazzleWidmarkDazzle MeDomingoDeborah GyulayOakwood Farms
2006Selten HWSandro HitSPS High PrincessHohensteinIrene Hoeflich-WiederholdIrene Hoeflich-Wiederhold
2005ES Liberty GoldLondonderryWalidaWeltmeyerHilton Farm_Regine Soekeland
2004Cabana BoyContucciBritaniaBordeauxHilltop FarmMaple Run Farm
2003EMC AudreyA Jungle PrinceSPS FayeForrest xxBetsy LaBelleBarbara Dzaack, Ger.
2002ContigoContucciEM BabeBanterHilltop FarmMiddlefield Farm
2001EM CapriciaCaprimondLaureenLungauHilltop Farm_Klaus Storbeck
2000EM WolkendameWolkenstein IIBajan Breeze xxTumble Wind xxAngela BarilarAdolf Ahrens
1999EM WolkenroseWolkenstein IIDaisyDressmanSandra L. WernerRudolf Kamps
1998EM BerlinaBrentano IIHillyHill Hawk xxSuzanne QuarlesHelmut Guide
1997SPS RumpelstilzchenRaphaelSPS BallerinaBoleroKathryn and Jeffery NesbittHans Mahler
1996EM Bo PeepBanterEM LisherLessingDr. Rebecca YountMiddlefield Farm
1995ES West CoastWestminsterCardinaleCardinal xxJudy ArnoldGerhard Thele
1994EM PapagenaPabloSPS SamanthaSalonikiMarefield MeadowsMarefield Meadows
1993SPS WintersongWeltmeyerEM MoiraMatcho xMarefield MeadowsMarefield Meadows
1992GesandtierGesandtDionacaDachsSherra KoschRill Stover