by Kirk Gollwitzer

Four riders who compete nationally under the direction of local veteran trainer Vick Russell have qualified to take part in the Devon Horse Show May 23 – June 2 in Devon, Penn.

Each rider, according to Russell, is special in his or her own way, but all share one common trait as being aggressive. Russell considers Devon a “goal-marker” for his stable Ly-Nard Hills. How his riders and horses perform there determines his competition strategies for the rest of the year, he said.

“Every one of my riders can win everything if they get there on-key,” said Russell.

The team, consisting of three women and one man, has trained under Russell for more than 15 years and each are tough and experienced, according to Russell.

Robert Donaldson is the top rider going into Devon and the leader in the country in the amateur-owner jumpers. Russell says Donaldson has been on fire with his Oldenburg mare, Ruby Tuesday. Donaldson, who is a Canadian citizen, worked for a royal family in Arabia for 18 years as a consultant in the equestrian sports world.

Helen Landon Terranova recently moved to Memphis, Tenn. Russell refers to Terranova as his “road-warrior,” who rides with an aggressive passion and takes her performances extremely personal.

“She always goes in very worried and internalizes everything,” said Russell.
Russell said that Terranova, who he has taught from the beginning, “is the finest human being I have ever been around.”

She will be riding her Argentine gelding Creed.

Lily Hahn is Russell’s only rider from the Tryon area, but a familiar face and past winner at Devon. She will not be riding the horse she had planned because of an injury, but has qualified her amateur-owner hunter, Paddington.

“She is going there on her hunter but has previously won on a jumper,” Russell said.
Russell speaks highly of Hahn’s family, who he has worked with for 40 years.

Anne Bingler will be riding her big grey mare, Tanimara. Bingler hails from Orlando, Fla., and is also a practicing attorney. Russell said Bingler is a fierce competitor who has many great wins under her belt, including a third place finish in the $50,000 Roanoke Grand Prix.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is an annual horse show, which began in 1896 and is considered to be the largest and oldest multi-breed outdoor horse show in the U.S.