Rider Tina DiLandri of Scottsdale, AZ, made her Devon debut this year, winning her section of the Pessoa/USEF Hunt Seat Medal class. Aboard Heritage Farm, Inc’s Cadeau she also placed 3rd in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship class and 4th in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.
How did you prepare for Devon this year?
Preparing for Devon this year was a little more difficult. I actually commute from Scottsdale, AZ to New York to ride. Two weeks before Devon I was able to commute to Heritage Farm for some lessons.
What was on your mind while competing in the Dixon Oval? And immediately after leaving the ring?
This was my first year at Devon so competing in the Dixon Oval was exciting. When I was on course I was only thinking about riding the course, but as I was exiting, I realized how lucky I am to be here. Attending the Devon Horse Show has always been a dream of mine.
Did you watch your competition ride?
Yes, I always watch my competition ride. You can learn from everyone, whether it is a junior or professional.
How did you celebrate your success this past weekend?
This past weekend was only the beginning for me; I cannot get too excited!
What’s the biggest challenge of riding at large, prestigious show like Devon?
The biggest challenge of riding for me is keeping my focus on just riding the course. I always think to “keep it simple.” These big shows force you to over analyze certain things and sometimes you psyche yourself out. The biggest thing is just to ride.
DiLandri will be back as a spectator and rider next year.
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