Devon Kane Takes On Europe
Wellington, FL (May 22, 2014) – Devon Kane is preparing to seize every opportunity that comes her way while in Europe this summer with her horses and others from Diamante Farms. The talented dressage rider arrived in Europe this month to train with Olympic Gold Medalist Hubertus Schmidt of Germany. Her summer plans got even more exciting when she was asked to ride on the United States Nations Cup Team in a leg of the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2014 series in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. “That’s a huge opportunity that I’ve never had before, and don’t know when I’m going to have again. So when I got that opportunity I said ‘Yes, we’re going to do that!’” Kane looks forward to the Nations Cup and then spending the rest of the summer in intensive training with Schmidt. “I want to suck as much training out of it as I can.” She said eagerly about her summer.
Despite Kane’s extensive accomplishments in dressage, she is always eager to learn more from top professionals such as Hubertus Schmidt. She has spent over a decade training with United States Olympic Bronze Medalist Michelle Gibson, and worked with Olympic Bronze Medalist and USEF Developing Coach Debbie McDonald. Kane is now a successful trainer herself, and works as head trainer at her family’s farm— Diamante Farms in Wellington, Florida. She brought up her own horse Destiny from being a barely-broke four year old to a Grand Prix champion several years later. Her achievements include winning a USDF Gold Medal in 2012, a USDF Silver Medal in 2010, and a NAJYRC Gold Medal in 2007.
Kane’s talent in the show ring caught the attention of United States National Dressage Coach Robert Dover, who asked Kane to compete on the United States’s team at the FEI Nations Cup Dressage 2014 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The competition will take place on June 19. Kane had been planning to show at Gladstone before heading to Europe to train for the summer, but decided to accept the invitation to ride in the Nations Cup instead. “We were approached with the opportunity to go ride on the Nations Cup team in Rotterdam, and to represent the US on a team in Europe is an amazing opportunity.” Devon said. “I’m really excited and I think it will be a really cool experience. Gladstone is amazing and it’s definitely always a goal for everyone, but also there will be Gladstone next year. I never know if I’m going to get this opportunity again.”
Kane has strategically planned out her time in Europe in order to make the most of it. “My goal is to ride in Hamburg at the end of May. That’s two or three weeks before Rotterdam. That will be my first show there, so we’ll get one done that’s a little bit quieter, and then be set up to head over to Rotterdam.”
Despite the excitement of showing, her main focus in Europe will be training with Hubertus Schmidt. Kane is bringing her longtime equine partner Destiny to Schmidt’s, and also her young 6-year-old Winchester. “Winchester’s at a really cool place right now— I’m hoping to bring him out in small tour next year, so it’s good timing for him to go [to Europe].” She explained. “I’m planning to see how it all unfolds after Rotterdam. Rotterdam’s the huge goal at the beginning, and then after that I’m there for training. I’m going to be there until probably the middle of August, and I just want to train. If it’s going really well and a horse show comes up and Hubertus is going, we might go along; otherwise I’m just looking forward to training the horses.”
After the summer of showing and training in Europe, Kane will return to her dressage training, showing, and boarding business at Diamante Farms in Wellington, Florida. To learn more about Devon Kane and Diamante Farms, visit DiamanteFarms.com or call 210-240-1614.
Photo: Devon Kane and Hubertus Schmidt. (Photo courtesy of Diamante Farms)
