Dressage at Devon 2026: Carl Hester's Masterclass, the Freestyle and How to Watch

Dressage at Devon 2026: what's happening this week

Dressage at Devon 2026 runs Sept. 22–27 at the Devon Show Grounds in Devon, Pennsylvania, and tonight is one of its biggest draws: Carl Hester's Capital Square Masterclass at 6 p.m. in the Dixon Oval. The week ends with a Saturday-night World Cup qualifier freestyle under the lights and a free-for-kids family day on Sunday.

The show, officially Kingsview Partners Dressage at Devon, mixes two very different events. The first half is a breed show, where horses from foals to mature stallions and mares are judged mostly on movement and conformation. The second half is the performance division, from 4-year-olds up to Grand Prix.

If dressage is new to you, start with our explainer on how dressage is scored. This guide focuses on what to watch at Devon and how to enjoy a big dressage show, in person or on a screen.

Carl Hester's masterclass: who's riding and what to expect

Hester is a seven-time British Olympian and one of the most influential trainers in the sport. He rode Uthopia on Britain's gold-medal team at the London 2012 Olympics and is known for his work with Valegro, the horse his student Charlotte Dujardin rode to Olympic gold.

According to Nancy Jaffer's preview, tonight's riders include:

• Chris Hickey, a Grand Prix rider
• Lindsay Kellock, a Grand Prix rider
• Lehua Custer, riding a U.S.-bred Oldenburg
• Kathrin Hain, riding a Clydesdale

Yes, a Clydesdale. That pairing is a reminder that correct training helps any horse, not just the fancy warmbloods.

What actually happens in a masterclass

A masterclass is a public lesson. Each rider warms up, then the trainer, wearing a microphone, works on one or two specific things while the audience listens.

Expect to hear about rhythm, suppleness, straightness and how the horse accepts the contact. The trainer explains why a change works, so you learn as much from the talk as from the riding.

Tips for watching:

• Pick one horse and watch its hind legs before and after each correction.
• Listen for the exercise, not just the result: transitions, circles and changes of bend are the tools.
• Take notes. The best masterclass ideas work on a lesson horse at home, too.

Masterclass reserved seats include all-day general admission on Thursday, per the official ticket page. The meet-and-greet reception afterward is sold out, but Hester also has an autograph signing at 10 a.m. Friday at the Main Gate information booth.

Dressage at Devon schedule: day by day

Times below come from the official schedule, checked Sept. 24. Class times shift, so check the day-of order before you drive.

Tuesday to Thursday: the breed show

The breeding division fills the first three days with foals, young stock, mares, stallions and handler classes. Most horses are shown in hand, so you judge the horse, not the rider (the materiale classes for 3- to 5-year-olds are ridden).

It's the best place to learn what a good sport horse looks like. Watch the trot on the triangle and compare how much each horse covers the ground. Our breeds hub is a handy companion.

Thursday and Friday: young horses

Young-horse classes are for 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-olds. The 4-year-olds ride a USEF test; the older groups ride FEI young-horse tests.

Judges score these horses on gaits, submission and future potential, not on perfect Grand Prix movements. It's a preview of who might be in the big ring in a few years.

Saturday night: the Special and the Freestyle

Saturday evening is the headline session. The FEI Grand Prix Special (CDI3*) and the Kingsview Partners Grand Prix Freestyle, the CDI-W World Cup qualifier, run in the Dixon Oval under the lights.

The grandstand gets dressed up, too. Boxholders compete in a decorating contest themed "The Year of the Fire Horse," and there's a Braveheart Beasts exhibition.

Sunday: musical freestyles and family day

Sunday brings the Intermediate I, junior, young rider, under-25, pony and amateur freestyles, plus other FEI classes in the Dixon Oval. It's a relaxed day to hear lots of different music choices.

It's also the day to bring kids (see below). A new Dressage4Kids Youth Challenge for riders 14–18 runs at 11 a.m. in the Wheeler Arena.

What is a CDI-W World Cup qualifier?

CDI means an international dressage competition run under FEI rules. The W means it's a qualifier for the FEI Dressage World Cup.

Riders first compete in the Grand Prix, which serves as the qualifying class for the Grand Prix Freestyle to music. The freestyle results earn World Cup league points.

For the 2026/27 season, North America has nine qualifiers, and Devon is the first. According to Dressage-News:

• The other stops include Florida (five events), Mexico City, Toronto and Del Mar, California.
• North America gets three of the 18 starting spots at the Final.
• The Final is in Gothenburg, Sweden, in March 2027.

So Saturday is the opening move of a long season: riders collect points at qualifiers through February, and results here are unknown until the ride is done. Show jumping runs a similar system; see our Jumping World Cup guide.

How to watch Dressage at Devon live

The official site links to a live stream on ClipMyHorse.TV, an equestrian streaming platform that also offers replays.

How to set it up:

1. Go to the Dressage at Devon event page on ClipMyHorse.TV.
2. Log in or create an account. Access terms vary by event and some streams need a paid membership, so check what this one requires before the evening session.
3. Test your stream before Saturday night so you don't miss the first freestyle.

Watch like a judge: the show promotes the HorseFlight app for spectator judging during the Friday and Saturday evening Grand Prix classes. Score a few rides, then compare with the official marks.

Going in person: a checklist for any big dressage show

Devon is a classic example of how big dressage shows work, so this list will serve you at any show.

Before you go

• Buy tickets online. At Devon, reserved seats are sold online only, not at the gate.
• Check the day-of ride times; big classes can move.
• Evening sessions Thursday to Saturday get busy, so leave extra time for parking and walking.
• Rideshare and train riders can be dropped at the front gates on Lancaster Avenue.

At the show

• Stay quiet while a horse is in the arena. Clap after the final salute, not during the test.
• Never flash-photograph horses, and don't open umbrellas right next to the rail.
• Keep kids and dogs away from the warm-up rings and horse paths. Horses have the right of way.
• Bring layers. Late-September evenings in Pennsylvania cool off fast.

Free extras worth your time

• Saturday lectures, noon to 3 p.m. in the Picnic Grove, free with admission.
• Thursday's fashion show, 4:30 p.m., free with Thursday admission.

Bringing kids: Dressage Explorers on Sunday

On Sunday, Sept. 27, children 12 and under get in free, per the official schedule. Dressage Explorers runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The schedule lists:

• Blessing of the Animals at 10 a.m.
• Stick horse crafts and face painting
• A stick horse parade at noon

It's a gentle first show experience. For kids who want to ride in one someday, read First Horse Show for Kids and our horse safety basics before you go.

What to watch next

• Tonight: Hester's masterclass, 6 p.m., Dixon Oval, or on the stream.
• Friday: the Dressage Dance Off at 6 p.m., with Grand Prix riders riding to music in a head-to-head format.
• Saturday night: the Grand Prix Special and the World Cup freestyle.
• Next qualifier: Terra Nova in Myakka City, Florida, Oct. 15–18.

We'll leave the predictions alone; the scores will tell the story. Meanwhile, brush up on how equitation is judged or explore more disciplines.