Wellington, FL (January 31, 2014) – Diamante Farm’s Devon Kane and Destiny, the 16.2-hand dark bay Danish warmblood trained personally by Kane, notched another win under their cutaway during Week Three of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, with a 67.843% finish in Saturday’s FEI Grand Prix Special 2014.
The win – and score — continue to cement Kane’s observation that her self-trained Danish-bred (by Diamond Hit, out of a Rubenstein mare) gelding has never yet delivered a performance earning below 65% from judges. Their career began together when Destiny was a green five year-old and today, the 27 year-old Kane and her 11 year-old mount are standing foursquare on the threshold of Grand Prix greatness.
While establishing herself as one of American dressage’s rising stars, Kane worked for two years with Germany’s Hubertus Schmidt to transform the horse she once called her “dragon” into her Destiny. Since competing in three national Grand Prix in Florida, she has also received coaching from USEF Developing Coach Debbie McDonald and German trainer, Kevin Kohmann, while also overseeing her own training and lessons operation and riding up to a dozen horses daily at the family’s Diamante Farms in Wellington.
“I have a better relationship than ever with Destiny now. I know 110 percent that he’s going to do what I ask him,” Kane said. Prior to those summers with Schmidt, Destiny was “hot and a bit special. You didn’t always know that he would do what you wanted him to do.”
But Kane always knew she had a champion at her fingertips: “He knows he’s super special.”
Those around her think Kane is super special, too. “He (Schmidt) knows when to tell me to push. He understands a hot horse and the importance of compromise. At the same time, he makes us a hundred percent accountable. He expects a horse to be on the aids, working for me and with me, without negative tension. I understand where he’s coming from.”
Kane plans to keep tracking in the right direction, and is making it a priority to return to Germany again this summer. Until then, her plans for 2014 are to maintain that ideal of consistency in performance she and Destiny have established and qualify for the U.S. National Championships.
“Our next goal is to prove we can ride over 70 percent each time we get in the arena,” Kane said. “Gladstone is in our sights now.”
Diamante Farms of Wellington offers dressage training, board, sales and clinics for riders and horses of all levels. Learn more at DiamanteFarms.com or by calling 210-240-1614.
