Dressage at Devon Appoints Nicole DelGiorno as President

Dressage

U.S.A.

Dressage at Devon has announced the appointment of Nicole DelGiorno as President. She succeeds Anne Snipes Moss.

"She brings a blend of institutional continuity and fresh perspective at a pivotal moment when the sport and its relationship with the public is rapidly evolving," Dressage at Devon stated.

DelGiorno, 34, is a Grand Prix dressage rider and USDF Gold Medalist, head instructor at The Dressage Academy in Cream Ridge, NJ, and a longtime volunteer for numerous youth dressage programs. She has been a part of the Dressage at Devon community for over 20 years.

“I quite literally grew up at Dressage at Devon. I remember coming with my Pony Club to watch the freestyles on Saturday night when I was about 10 years old. Then, I competed there a couple years later in the Junior Handler and Dressage Seat Equitation classes. Devon was one of my first CDIs as both a competitor and a coach. I really cut my teeth here. So when a board seat opened up three years ago, I was thrilled to join the team officially.”

DelGiorno also brings professional experience in the nonprofit fundraising, strategy, and technology spaces which, combined with her passion and background at the highest levels of dressage, position her to succeed in this new role.

A Commitment to the Future

Also paramount to DelGiorno’s qualifications as President are her deep understanding of organizational sustainability and her investment in the future success of dressage. The combination has shaped her into a leader who understands both the tradition of Dressage at Devon and the realities of sustaining it.

“Our historic competitions are under threat in the United States,” she stated. “Rising costs, declining attendance, entire show grounds in the hands of developers and zoning committees — the list goes on and on.”

At the heart of everything though, are fervent supporters who recognize the historic value and the tremendous, still untapped potential the show carries. These ambassadors have remained committed to keeping Dressage at Devon as a staple of both the local community and the dressage industry at large.

“Dressage at Devon exists today because of the incredible community that surrounds it and that has safeguarded it for over 50 years,” DelGiorno said. “It is a tremendous honor to help steer the show into this next chapter. We have the most skilled leadership team I have ever been a part of. I truly believe we are in the best of hands.”

Steady Momentum and Strategies for Success

Nicole Delgiorno on Lamborghini Dane at the 2009 NAYRC

In 2025, donors gave $160,000 in philanthropic support in honor of Dressage at Devon’s 50th anniversary. The majority of these funds will be directed toward strengthening the long-term sustainability of the organization and its beloved horse show. This achievement reflects growing confidence among supporters who believe in the future of this historic competition.

“These are people choosing to invest in something they believe will last,” DelGiorno said. “It gives us a lot of optimism for the future. It is really humbling to see so many people come forward because they love the show and they want it to be here for generations to come.”

As planning for the 2026 edition of the show gets underway, DelGiorno explained that much of the conversation centers not on reinvention, but on translation.

“I wouldn’t say we are redefining Dressage at Devon,” she said. “It’s more about taking account of what we are great at producing and trying to bring in more people to experience that. That includes non-equestrian audiences.”

The 2026 CDI-W Dressage at Devon will take place 22 - 27 September 2026.