There have been dozens of show jumping grands prix around the country since the beginning of the year. Do you remember who won them? It’s easy to take a guess–McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Karl Cook, but as one show comes after another, it’s just as easy to forget which class was which in the mists of week-after-week competition.
The Devon Horse Show is different. Devon, which just ended its 2023 run in a suburb of Philadelphia, is a touchstone of the year. People may decide to go to HITS instead of WEF, or the Desert Circuit rather than WEC. But they’ll always make an effort to compete at Devon, because everyone remembers who won there (it’s engraved on the lovely sterling silver trophies) and it’s an experience like no other on the circuit. It harks back to a more elegant past, but with up-to-date footing.
Its country fair, set among shade trees; the little carnival with its merry-go-round; the Tea Cart with crustless tea sandwiches–the whole of Devon is a unique island of joy on a decidedly unglamorous strip of highway.
Shopping at the country fair is a popular Devon pastime.( Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
At age 127, Devon is the oldest multi-breed show in the country. At one time, it wasn’t unusual to see classes for saddlebreds and hackney ponies at the same showgrounds across the country as the hunters and jumpers, but that is no longer the case in the era of specialization. So Devon is an exception.
At Devon, every discipline–from the four-in-hands pulling coaches to those hackney ponies and the equitation–is enjoyed by the crowd. Many spectators spend all day on the blue benches at ringside as they watch class after class.
They also are entertained by various exhibitions, including the Budweiser Clydesdales this year. as well as the Shetland pony steeplechase and the Radnor Hunt Fox Hounds. The Orpheus Club, the oldest men’s singing group in the country, offered beautiful renditions of God Bless America and the Star-Spangled Banner on grand prix night.
From the blue benches to the grandstand, the crowd loves what happens at Devon. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
Riders are appreciated here. Even though fans may only come to this one horse show a year, they remember their favorite athletes, human and equine, providing both congratulations and consolation as needed. They root for the riders, never more so than in the $226,000 Thursday night grand prix, where each downed rail brings a sympathetic “ooh,” while successful completion of a difficult triple combination elicits a cheer, only a bit more restrained than the eruption when a competitor produces a clean round.
The “King of Devon,” McLain Ward, calls the show “a very special place to my heart, and I think to many people.”
The 12-time winner of the Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon, named after his favorite horse, explained, “It has such tradition, and the show has had a little bit of a rebirth in the last 10 years. That’s great to see. It’s always nice to be successful here.”
Ashlee Bond, who won the grand prix on Donatello 141, also enjoyed the crowd and gave back to fans, circling the ring at a walk several times after her victory gallop. She greeted spectators, letting the kids pet her horse and offering a bright smile that will remain with many onlookers as a treasured Devon memory.
Ashlee Bond, Sapphire Grand Prix winner, with Donatello. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“These special shows are so few and far between now,” mused Pat Boyle, who is Devon co-manager with Phil DeVita, succeeding managers David Distler and Peter Doubleday, who ran the show for a half-century.
When it comes to shows like Devon that are champions of tradition, Pat said, explaining why he accepted the post, “someone has to take the initiative to make them continue. Peter and David did a phenomenal job, it’s too important not to keep it going and thriving.”
Devon co-manager Pat Boyle. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
For Pat, that’s what makes being a manager worthwhile, despite only grabbing three hours of sleep a night.
The most noticeable change this year was the glamorous archway at the Dixon Oval’s side entrance. It was produced by David Lauinger Equestrian Services, which also redid the footing where an upgrade was needed.
The new arch at the side entrance to the Dixon Oval really dresses up the ring. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
The pony breeding was moved from the show’s first Thursday to the final day, making it “an all-breeding day.” The concept got mixed reviews, but Pat believes it was better not to have the distraction of pony breeding when the equitation competitors were riding in the most important classes of their young lives.
With other changes, he said, “it’s still Devon, but it’s Devon squared.”
“We want to keep building on the aesthetics,” explained Pat, citing improving the lighting as a priority and “constant upgrades to make the horse and rider safety experience even better.”
For showgoers, he believes it should be the case that “Every time they come back, there’s something new.”
After getting his face painted, Isiah Bradbury enjoys a lemon stick. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
That’s also what happens at the country fair, which is run by a separate group from the horse show. But tradition can’t be ignored.
Kids love the lemon sticks; a lemon with a candy stick stuck in it. It’s a classic sweet and sour combo.Then there’s the awesome Devon fudge and a host of special treats for the younger set.
Artist Rosie Carlino designed her pop-up shop to make it look like a little garden. It’s her first time being part of the fair.
Rosie Carlino and her pop-up shop in the country fair. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“I grew up going to Devon. I’ve always admired Devon and I’ve been on a waiting list to get in,” she said.
Another important aspect of Devon goes beyond the competition and the shopping.
Wednesday is Ladies Hat Day, with some very interesting attractions sitting on various heads, along with the usual fascinators and feathered straw toppers.
Mrs. Cortright Wetherill, whose family has been involved with Devon for generations, wore a hat featuring the ferris wheel (part of the fair’s skyline) and several plastic horses nestled among flowers.
When it comes to hats, Katie Whaley, is the expert. Her Hats by Katie booth is always busy, as it has been for 31 years, but her offerings aren’t designed to be contest winners. They’re more sophisticated, perfect for anyone who is driving horses, which is her specialty.
Katie, who will be competing her pair of Welsh ponies in the world driving championships this summer, said hats are “much bolder” these days as customers get used to having something different.
“They used to be a little skittish about the dressy hat and the feathers. Now they come in and look for a Devon hat every year–something tasteful they can wear again, but something that’s got a little bit of a kick to it.”
Katie Whaley and her hats. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
As for the horse show where she and her mother both competed, she said, “Devon’s Devon, my favorite show of the year. We’re all scratching and kicking to keep it the same.”
People have worried for years that with Devon’s location in a commercial area, it might someday be sacrificed for development. But Pat Boyle said rumors to that effect are completely untrue and that the show, which benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, will continue at its same site.
“Why would it go anywhere?” he asked.
Interested in reading our Devon coverage? Click on this link or the Previous Columns link at the top of the website.