PRE Aragon GAF Achieves Grand Champion Stallion at Dressage At Devon Show

Glen Aryn Farm' Aragon GAF Dressage at Devon 2015 Article written and submitted by USPRE Member Cynthia Roberts PRE Stallion Aragon GAF, owned by Cynthia Roberts of Virginia achieved the award of Grand Champion Stallion at Dressage At Devon, the prestigious show in Devon, Pennsylvania, in September Reports Cynthia:  2015 marks the 40th anniversary for Dressage at Devon, one of the most prestigious dressage shows in the United States With both Breed and Performance classes in their respective divisions, this 6-day event in Eastern Pennsylvania attracts Olympic caliber horses and riders, adult amateurs and junior riders in search of top notch competition This year also marked the Devon debut for Aragon GAF, the 6-year old PRE Pura Raza Español stallion bred and owned by UPSRE Member Cynthia & Craig Roberts of Glen Aryn Farm - Round Hill, VA Aragon earned a trip to Devon with a qualifying score in the Dressage Sport Horse Breed DSHB competition at the Lexington VA Dressage show in May At Devon, Aragon faced the “Biggest of the Big Boys” in Open competition Family, friends, and well-wishers watched and gave their support Aragon was handled by long-time friend and supporter Christine Smith – Great Expectations Farm & her crew His trainer and rider, Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel, who has worked with Aragon preparing and riding him through the USEF Young Horse Series for the 4 -, FEI 5- and FEI 6-Year Old tests, was on hand for tips and inspiration Groom Holly Linz had him gleaming and artistically braided These complementary efforts allowed this talented young stallion to show at his best In the Stallions 4 and older class on Wednesday, Aragon placed third and earned a spot in the Stallion Championship class where he jumped a spot to earn the Reserve Champion Stallion title This qualified him a second time for the Great American Insurance Group/USDF Breeders Championship Series Later that day, Aragon competed in the GAIG/USDFBC Series Final and earned the title of Grand Champion Stallion Even the owner, long time USPRE member, Cynthia Roberts, got into the act as Craig presented Aragon in the Adult Amateur class and pinned in his first Devon appearance And unlike Amateur classes at other shows, the Devon judges provided constructive feedback that will help Craig improve in the future The following day Aragon won the USPRE Individual Breed Class IBC Cynthia reported, "The whole experience was a magical time for us as we watched our guy perform at this grand venue for the first time In prior years, we attended Devon as spectators The experience is quite different as a competitor You notice and appreciate all of the things that make this venue and event successful – an efficient operation, knowledgeable and helpful staff, well-tended facilities, hospitality, a large variety of vendors- great shopping!, and great attention to detail" To top it all off, there was a chance meeting in the rain, under an umbrella… Cynthia got to meet and shake hands with renowned dressage rider Robert Dover - 4 time US Olympic Dressage Team Bronze Medalist and coach of the US Olympic Dressage Team Congratulations to Aragon GAF and the extended Glen Aryn Farm Team for their success at Dressage at Devon 2015!