The Devon Horse Show is one of a kind.
With its unlikely location outside Philadelphia, where suburbia and commerce have shouldered in around its 17-acre parcel, 128-year-old Devon is a relic of the past that is still beloved in the present—and likely will be in the future as well.
Even for those who aren’t involved with horses during the rest of the year, it is an annual “must stop.” The Devon tradition is handed down in families, whether they are drinking champagne in ringside boxes or hustling to secure a seat on one of the Devon blue benches flanking the arena. You’ll see lots of manicures finished with Devon blue polish, and not just among the kids.
For the riders, Devon has a special meaning in an industry that is being dominated in this era by multi-week shows in purpose-built facilities.
Hunt Tosh and Cannon Creek, High Performance Hunter Champion (also pictured in the featured photo) (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nick Haness, a Californian who took the Leading Hunter Rider title for the second year in row, noted, “once was good enough for me for my life, but twice is even better.”
He called his experience here, “an exciting, exciting week.”
As he mentioned, it’s the first time of the year where west coast and Florida winter circuit riders meet.
Those experiences “accumulate and add up to this moment here this week,” said Nick.
“It’s always fun to put on a show in this big arena, and it’s always my favorite show because it really invites you to gallop. I love riding in this ring. There’s something really special about the atmosphere here.”
He gave credit for a big contribution in getting his name re-inscribed on the Leading Rider trophy to “my favorite girl, Circa,” a stunning grey Holsteiner owned by Glade Run Farm and named the show’s top hunter mare. She was reserve champion in the Green Hunter division over 3-foot, 6-inch fences.
“I absolutely adore that horse,” he said.
Scott Stewart, who had been a perennial winner of the Leading Rider honors, didn’t go away empty-handed. Ever After, “the consummate show horse” who was Scott’s ride in the Green Hunter 3-9 section, earned the Grand Hunter Champion title with 38 points. An Oldenburg by Arko who belongs to Biko Equestrian, Ever After spent a little time as a jumper in Europe before being imported. Rey Mayorga, who cares for Ever After, earned the leading groom trophy.
Ever After, Devon Grand Hunter Champion, with Nancy Ciesluk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Ciesluk, Scott’s right-hand person and “mood elevator,” is still thrilled to be a part of Devon, 71 years after she first rode there.
She is viewed as both a morale officer and sort of a horse show mom to a variety of riders.
“It’s important to be supportive of each other in the highs and the lows,” said Nick.
“She’s always there to lift us up.”
Nick Haness and Nancy Ciesluk. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy knows tragedy. Her son, Jamie, died of cancer eight years ago. Before he passed away, “he kept saying to me, `Mommy you have to promise me to be happy.’ ”
She recounted, “I thought that was the stupidest thing I ever promised.”
But it worked out.
“I have a lot of sons now. This is my family, however dysfunctional at times,” she said with a grin as Nick put his arm around her.
Darragh Kenny, a pillar of the Irish show jumping team, made his first ride ever at Devon a winning one in the Tuesday night Welcome stake that drew 44 entries. He was aboard Serendepty to be unbeatable with a clocking of 55.52 seconds. Second was last year’s winner, Alex Matz (son of longtime Devon star Michael Matz) on Cashew CR in 57.16.
After riding on the Irish squad at the Rome Nations Cup last weekend, Darragh flew to Devon with little in the way of sleep.
The effort was worth it.
“I think it’s a great show and supporting it is really important. I’m mostly based here in America now. I think they do a super job and it was a brilliant crowd. Everyone has always told me how great this show is, but it was fun to see it for myself,” said Darragh.
Darragh Kenny on his first Devon victory lap. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
His mare is “very, very competitive. She’s stepping up into this level really well. She is one that definitely understands the game. She’s just a really cool horse.”
The second Wednesday of Devon is the Ladies’ Hat Day contest, when women show up in fanciful creations. Some have friends make their hats, others put together the headgear themselves.
Kari Godorecci of Wayne, Pa., proudly wore a towering creation accented with black feathers and rhinestones, shipped to her from Jacksonville, Fla., by her mother, Brenda Ryan who has a collection of derby day hats.
Her friend, Tracie Adkison from Berwyn, Pa., is a first-grade teacher who is creative. She made the hat for a pal’s wedding with a peacock theme and decided it could do double duty at Devon.
Kari and Tracie modeling their hat. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
A bugler who sounds the call to the post at Churchill Downs, Phil Thomas, is working his art at Devon for the first time.
“I’m loving it,” he said with enthusiasm. Asked why, he replied, “it’s mainly the atmosphere; the history, the old wooden stands and the county fair atmosphere. Devon is unlike any horse show I’ve played before.”
Bugler Phil Thomas at work. (Photo © 2024 by Nancy Jaffer)
A retired middle school band teacher, he fills in at the track, but has not played the call to the post for the Kentucky Derby because the main bugler never misses that race. But Phil has plenty of work, and does a number of horse shows and wedding receptions in Louisville—where the call to the reception is often the call to the post.
For the hunters, he played “Off we go, into the wild blue yonder” before they jumped.
The Shetland pony racers were serenaded with “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” The crowd responded as you would expect, by clapping.
Devon is proud of being a multi-breed, multi-faceted show, where you can see everything from coaches with four-in-hands and fine harness horses, to roadsters and breeding classes, but the saddle horse and hackney classes don’t fill. This year, too many had only one exhibitor.
Show co-manager Phil DeVita said delays involving the Budweiser Clydesdale exhibition last year led to a boycott by some saddlebred exhibitors, who didn’t like riding late at night while the grandstands were being swept clean. Phil said the show sent a letter to the saddlebred group after what happened in 2023, and two new barns did come.
I’ve often wondered if they should still be part of the show (though the hackney pony is Devon’s symbol, so it would be hard to drop them.) The Clydesdale situation has been remedied by rescheduling this year, so that may help going forward.
“All I want is for them to be successful,” said Phil.
“We’ll see what happens.”
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