It’s Never Too Late: How One American Saddlebred Helped Make a Dream Come True

 

 

July 5, 2026: Devon, PA — The Devon Horse Show and County Fair is one of the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse shows in the country. Beginning in 1896, Devon has a long tradition of American Saddlebreds gracing the Dixon Oval, the main showring at the facility. The horse show celebrated its 130th anniversary earlier this year, a true testament to the great atmosphere and tradition the horse show offers to its exhibitors and spectators.    

While Devon offers classes for American Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and Roadsters, the show also offers a variety of Carriage Pleasure Driving classes where one first-time competitor discovered that dreams really can come true.  

Sue Redden-Bailey attended her first Devon Horse Show this past May and was teamed up with Dancer, a 23-year-old American Saddlebred owned by Jess Buchanan Tanglao. Sue has been driving with Jess, who operates Tanglao Carriage Driving in Maryland. Dancer is a registered American Saddlebred under the name My Dancing Star, however he is currently competing under the name Dance Dance Revolution Dancer with his USEF Horse Recording.  

The team took home a Devon blue ribbon, winning the 2026 Devon Horse Show Single Horse Driving Opportunity Championship after qualifying with a fourth-place finish in a competitive nine-horse qualifying class. For most exhibitors, a championship at Devon is a career highlight. For Sue, it represented the realization of a dream nearly 50 years in the making. 

"I grew up in Pennsylvania, and in the 1960s there always seemed to be commercials for the Devon Horse Show," she recalled. "I attended for the first time as a spectator in 1977. I had just started taking riding lessons, and everyone at the barn was talking about Devon. I loved the hunters and jumpers and dreamed of showing there one day." 

At the time, however, that dream wasn't meant to be. 

After years as a hunter and pleasure rider, life eventually pulled Redden-Bailey away from horses for nearly two decades. It wasn't until a nostalgic visit back to Devon with friends that she unexpectedly discovered a new path back into the horse world. 

"A few years ago, some friends and I spent a day at the Devon Horse Show," she said. "We used to go watch local friends compete there, and we were feeling nostalgic. As luck would have it, there was a pony carriage class in the ring. The drivers were mostly women like us, and they looked like they were having so much fun. Half-jokingly, I said, 'I can't ride anymore, but I bet I could do that.'"  

The next year, Sue went to St. David’s, which is known as the Carriage Pleasure Drive, a spectacular tradition at the Devon horse show. Drivers start on the grounds of St. David’s Episcopal Church. Sue noted that watching this portion of the pleasure drive sealed the deal for her, she wanted to be part of this sport. She did some research and found Jess through a Facebook ad she ran for 50% off driving lessons. Sue’s first lesson was in April 2025 and after that started taking weekly lessons. Sue said, “I couldn’t stop smiling. It felt magical.” 

From the very beginning, Redden-Bailey shared one ambitious goal with her new trainer: someday competing at Devon. Tanglao responded by pairing her with one of the barn's most experienced horses, Dancer, a seasoned combined driving competitor who had spent years competing successfully at the Advanced level before transitioning into a second career as a pleasure driving horse. 

"What made Dancer so special was his extensive combined driving background," Redden-Bailey said. "While I was a complete beginner, Dancer was a seasoned professional, and that experience gave me confidence from the very beginning." 

The pair's first combined driving event exceeded every expectation. Entering with the modest goal of simply completing the Training Division at Tryon, they instead earned two second-place finishes, a third-place finish, and Reserve Champion honors. Shortly afterward, she leased Dancer. 

When the pair finally arrived at Devon, Redden-Bailey found herself taking in every moment. 

"Even today, the entire experience feels like a dream," she said. "From stabling to the walk out to St. David's, everything was wonderful." 

One of her favorite memories came during the traditional carriage drive back to the showgrounds from St. David's Episcopal Church. 

"The drive back to the fairgrounds exceeded anything I had imagined," she recalled. "The homes and gardens were breathtaking, and I couldn't stop thinking about all the history surrounding us. Dancer felt fantastic. Our long conditioning drives at home had him in peak shape, and the hills posed no challenge at all." 

But it was entering the historic Dixon Oval that made the experience truly sink in. 

"When we entered the Dixon Oval, that's when it truly hit me: I had accomplished a lifelong dream." 

From that point forward, everything else felt like a bonus. 

Competing against a strong field of approximately 17 entries, Redden-Bailey and Dancer earned a blue ribbon in their class before being named Reserve Champion. 

"When we won our class, I was so shocked that I cried," she said. "That outcome was never on my bingo card. Then, when we were named Reserve Champion, I was speechless. My wonder horse had proven that it's never too late to learn something new." 

Their success continued later in the week during the pleasure horse driving classes. Redden-Bailey earned a second-place finish in the pleasure class before entering her first-ever scurry class. 

Unable to comfortably walk the cones course because of her back injury, she relied on careful preparation instead. 

"My strategy was simple: be accurate and steady," she explained. "I had never driven a scurry before and had certainly never cantered through a cones course." 

After finishing fourth, the ringmaster asked her to remain in the arena. 

"I assumed I had earned Reserve Champion." 

Instead, she heard an announcement she never expected. 

"When they announced that I had won the championship, it felt completely unreal," she said. "As a first-time competitor at Devon, at our very first carriage pleasure driving show, under the lights in the legendary Dixon Oval where I had watched so many of my idols compete—it was almost impossible to believe. I'm still smiling." 

While the ribbons and championships made for an unforgettable week, Sue Redden-Bailey is quick to credit the horse that carried her there. 

"Dancer truly is the complete package," she said. "He's steady, dependable, and nearly unflappable. He rewards me generously when I get things right and tolerates my mistakes with equal grace." 

The veteran American Saddlebred has developed quite the personality as well, especially when treats are involved. 

"He quickly learned that I'm a reliable source of treats," she laughed. "His favorites are Pop-Tarts and peppermints. Marshmallows rank much lower on his list unless there's absolutely nothing else available." 

 

Dancer also brought along his constant companion, Jammie—his "emotional support pony"—and the pair quickly became favorites among children visiting the barns during Devon's educational tours. 

For Redden-Bailey, however, Dancer is much more than a successful show horse. 

"I'd like to think Dancer has found his person," she said. "Because I know I've found my heart horse." 

The pair plans to continue competing this season, with the Virginia Commonwealth Games and another Combined Driving Event already on their schedule for the fall. After accomplishing a lifelong dream at Devon, Redden-Bailey is looking forward to whatever comes next. 

"It's never too late to learn something new," she said.