Meet Devon

Devon’s equestrian journey began in Woodbine, Maryland, where she caught the horse bug at just nine years old. When her family moved to northern Virginia at 13, she joined a hunt seat IEA riding team, diving into the world of horsemanship, and gaining a solid foundation in the hunter/jumper ring. Her first horse, Barnaby, had an eventing background, and discovering that sparked her interest in the sport. Barnaby took her to her first horse trials, which solidified her love for eventing.

Wanting to dedicate herself to the sport, at 17 Devon applied and was accepted into Olympic event rider Phyllis Dawson’s working student program. There, she learned how to care for and manage all levels of equine athletes, as well as “break”, train, and compete a wide variety of horses. Devon’s thirst for knowledge continued as she trained under elite riders and programs, including advanced level event rider Sean McQuillan, Jacqueline Mars’ Stonehall Farm, and 5* event rider Allison Springer.

Now a trainer at West Addy Farm in Upperville, Virginia, Devon blends her extensive experience with a passion for teaching and training both horses and riders. She’s also focused on her own competitive goals, bringing along her talented 2016 OTTB, “Mega Bucks,” affectionately known as Cash. After acquiring Cash as a spirited four-year-old, Devon has been successfully and competitively guiding him up the levels, with plans to compete him at the 2* level in the spring of 2025.

Meet Millie

If you’ve spent any amount of time around Devon, you have most likely met Millie. A beautiful 4 year old Plott Hound that has been at Devon’s side for nearly three years. While unfortunately Millie didn’t have the best puppy-hood, as she was living on the streets in Tennessee, she surely lives like royalty now. Millie is a true barn dog professional who enjoys running operations at Sutherland Sporthorses when she isn’t occupied with hunting groundhogs, or napping in the sun. She does a wonderful job of getting our young horses used to being around and riding out with dogs, as well as greeting everyone who comes to the farm. Especially the mailman. She really loves the mailman.

Meet Cash

Cash is a 2016 off the track thoroughbred that Devon acquired for the whopping price of $1. When Devon first took over the reins on her new four year old, she began to think that maybe she got in a bit over her head. He was fairly naughty, and wasn’t particularly interested in most anything that Devon would ask of him. However, after taking the time to get to know him and help him work through many of his mental blocks, Cash has flourished into a very promising young horse. He is brave, smart, quick footed, and has now begun to always put his best hoof forward into his new career. Like most thoroughbreds, Cash’s favorite phase is by far the cross country. However, unlike most thoroughbreds, Cash is very competitive in the dressage, and a wonderfully careful show jumper. He currently runs at the preliminary level, and is prepping for his first 2* in the spring of 2025. In addition to his eventing career, Cash has begun dipping his toes into some pure dressage. At his first dressage show this summer, he competed in first and second level tests, earning a first and second place, with scores of 70% and 66.8%. At his second dressage show, he won both his first and second level tests, as well as winning the T.I.P. (Thoroughbred Incentive Program) High Point award. Devon is excited to see how far up the levels Cash can go in pure dressage. Cash just ended his 2024 season with a win in a very large Prelim division at the Virginia Horse Trials! This is a horse with a very exciting future.