Grand Prix of Devon Champion, Peter Leone and Select

It was quite a year for the 114th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair! The show opened to great anticipation, and Devon did not dissappoint!

New Footing Raises the Bar

A new footing was promised and delivered to rave reviews! “We knew the time had come to make a major change in the Dixon Oval. To attract the best of the best, you must have a surface that allows for the highest level of competition,” said Horse Show President, Wade L. McDevitt. “We could not be happier with the new footing.”

And the exhibitors agree…

Kelley Farmer

“How nice, with the weather, in the pouring rain, not having to go in slop. That’s what I love about this show, every year they try to make it better and better. Every year you think, ‘Wow, what a great horse show,’ and every year they do something else to make it better.” Kelley Farmer, Leading Lady Hunter Rider

“Between the course designer and the new footing, it added another level to the Horse Show. There haven’t been scores (that high) one after the other, ever at Devon, that I’ve ever seen. I was in 7th place with an 87 yesterday, that would win at any other horse show.” Ken Berkley, Grand Hunter Champion on Premiere

“This show is still one of the most exciting, electrifying arenas to jump in on the tour. It always has been. The Thursday night Grand Prix at Devon is one of the best Grand Prixs in our country in the last 50 years. This show, for us, is our Little Aachen. I’m so glad that before my time as a Grand Prix rider is over, that I won the Grand Prix at Devon.” Peter Leone, International Jumper Rider, 2010 Grand Prix Champion

“For sure, I’m very proud. I arrived…and then, of course, at noon it starts raining. You see the Dixon Oval with no water at all, the warm up area has some mud of course, and you can see the difference. It worked out very well.” Bart Poels, Equestrian Services International

Tractot Ring

“I look forward to coming here every year, it’s a fun horse show, it’s really cool. I love the Fair, the shops, it’s really well done. It’s not rushed or frantic like the other horse shows, it’s kind of relaxed, I enjoy it a lot.” Jessica Springsteen, Honey Craven Perpetual Trophy Winner

Plans are already in the works for next year.

Projects currently under consideration include installing the Poels sand footing in the Gold Ring, renovations to the grandstands and the constuction of a new entertaining space, the Devon Club. “We are very excited about this project.” According to Horse Show Chairman, Leonard King, “There is great potential for an indoor/outdoor entertaining area at Devon. Right now, the space we use for entertaining is under the South Grandstand, with no view. The new facility would include an outdoor patio with a view of the Gold Ring.”

Devon Club Rendering

Devon Country Fair: Grounded in the Past, Focused on the Future

2010 has been a year of improvements throughout the show grounds, and the Devon Country Fair was no exception.

“We spent a good part of the off-season planning some major renovations and upgrades to the Fair. We were confident the changes would be well received, but we didn’t anticipate the overwhelming, positive feedback we heard.” said 2010 Co-Chairman, Sandy Shinners. “We walk a fine line at Devon, our traditions are unique and revered. I think we’ve seen that we can effect positive change and still be respectful of our history.”

Pavilion at First Night 

It was evident at First Night at Devon, the annual Art Gallery at Devon opening gala, that the Country Fair renovations were going to be a hit. Despite the excessively warm evening, attendance was at an all time high and guests spilled onto the newly redesigned Pavilion.

Gallery Interior

“It’s very telling that the areas that had “extreme makeovers” all did very well this year, in particular, The Garden Cafe, The Art Gallery at Devon and Souvenirs all had record years,” noted 2010 Co-Chairman, Mimi Killian. “It was great to see the Pavilion and Picnic Grove filled with families enjoying the wonderful atmosphere, it became a real focal point. The whole Fair had a great energy about it this year.”

Projects are under consideration for next year that would continue to enhance the Country Fair while maintaining its charm.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair would to thank our sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and vendors, and the 110,000 visitors who made Devon 2010 a record breaking year! We hope you all had a wonderful time at the show and look forward to seeing you in 2011.