The Iberian horses started off the Individual Breed Class on Day 3 of Dressage at Devon. They were followed by Oldenburgs, Danish Warmbloods, Appaloosas and more, totaling more than 20 breeds in the Dixon Oval. Each breed is different, with different characteristics, personalities, movements and more. And each breed has devoted followers many of whom just can’t understand why others don’t see that their breed is the best!
Mules!
It was a bit incongruous hearing a loud bray at Dressage at Devon but it was, after all, the first mule class at Dressage at Devon. Yes, mules.
A mule is sired by a mule is part donkey (sire) and part horse (dam) – often combining the best of each according to many of their owners and riders. Klaus Schengber, head trainer at High Point Hanoverian, was, to his surprise, called to handle a mule in the new class. “I said ‘sure!’ It was intriguing.” Coincidentally, he got a call on the same day from another woman who asked him to give her lessons on a mule. “It was a mule day!” And so, just a week before Dressage at Devon, Klaus rode his first mule. “It was unbelievably, incredibly comfortable. Within two minutes, I was sold on mules.” Though there were pretty significant difference according to Klaus. “The canter was more downhill and that looking ahead was a like looking through a V!”
