The Devon Horse Show Arena Eventing
If you’ve stumbled onto my website, and somehow found your way to this blog; welcome. I’m glad you’re here, and hope I can make your visit worthwhile. The Dixon oval requires no introduction from me.
2025 was no exception to Devon greatness.
First, a bit about what I think we all can expect from events like this in the future.
It is my belief that the future of the sport of eventing lies in the short-form showcase, possibly the combined test; though I’m doubtful. Things in the sport horse world are trending towards show jumping; short form, high octane, intensely technical. This trend pushes against the generational vanguards of horse-sport. Traditionally (I’m referring to strictly eventing here) the competitive medium has favored a larger framed horse, with plenty of blood, (another descriptor for stamina, and sustained energy) optimized for forward thinking bold cross-country courses. One that could compete in a combined cross-country test taking place over 90+ min. As eventing has evolved the cross-country phase has consolidated into one, the track has gotten shorter, and the jumping efforts have in an attempt to compensate, gotten extremely technical. With these changes the sport has seen a sharp increase in cross-country incidents. Why? Put simply, we are asking tired horses, already intoxicatingly high on adrenaline to move into the thinking side of their brains in a split second. This just isn’t fair.
In the face of all the training in the world, flight animals are, well, flight animals.
I think the competitive format in the interest of athlete welfare (both horse and rider) will soon change in the favor of shorter format tests. This will in turn fundamentally change the requirements of the horse. Shorter, more technical courses favor smaller, more nimble horses that are mentally and physically quick. Larger, warmblood horses likely won’t be as favored. Does this mean only small nimble horses will populate the ranks of eventing competitions in the future, absolutely not. As you likely know, ability over conformation.
So, how does this pertain to the Dixon Oval? I think this event, with exception of few others, stands as an example for the future of the sport.
From left; Shannon Lilley, Buck Davidson, and Natalia Neneman walk the course before the action kicks off.
The team at the Devon Horse Show do a wonderful job of putting together an engaging, action packed hour and a half of sport. Within two rounds of jumping $50,000 of prize money is awarded. This is rare in eventing.
Now, onto the action. It would be easy to say it was the Boyd and Caroline show, which by the numbers is true. I want to focus elsewhere for this article.
Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX flying through round one.
Shannon Lilley built on the momentum gained from her first Kentucky 5* completion, riding Ideal HX into second place. In a competitive field, she proved she is one to watch in 2025. Great year-end results are predicated on moves like these.
Australian Ema Klugman rode wonderfully on her trusty mount Chiraz. The 2025 season has proven to be a positive on for Chiraz, with he and Ema placing within the top 10 of each event they’ve started in 2025. Ema rides with a beautiful feel, something that seems to be hard to come by these days. Always a breath of fresh air to see someone who rides practically.
Natalia Neneman rode Chesterland’s Brown Sugar to eighth. Their positive result at Devon comes on the backside of the pairs’ second CCI 3*L finish in Ocala, FL earlier this season. I work closely with Natalia, and have come to love Chesterland’s Brown Sugar over the past two seasons. I’m so proud of these two, they both work hard for each other, and it has really started to pay off for them this season!
My assignment at this event was with Good News Effect, writing about Shannon Lilley and Ideal HX. You can read that article here.
