DEVON, Pa.—Scott Stewart dominated the hunter divisions at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair last year, taking the Leading Hunter Rider title for the third year in a row, and he returns this year to defend his title with a dozen top horses. If he wins again, it will be his fourth title at Devon, as he also was Leading Rider in 1998.
Devon, May 25 through June 3, benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, to which it has donated over $11.4 million over its four decades of association.
In 2005, Stewart, 42 of Flemington, N.J., won four of five possible champion-ships in the open hunter sections and was reserve in the fifth. “It’s amazing,” he said after being presented with the tricolor in the Dixon Oval. “I’ve ridden champions here before, but never this many.” His victories are even more impressive as Devon was named the Leading Hunter Horse Show by the National Hall of Fame for the fourth year in a row, beating out over 1,300 shows for this prestigious title.
This year, Stewart is showing Heartfelt in First Year Green Hunters, and the champion in that section last year, Molly Ohrstrom’s Fellini, will compete in Second Year Green along with Music Street. In Green Conformation, Stewart is competing on Compliment and Banner this year, while last year’s champion, Ohstrom’s Truly, moves up to Regular Conformation over 4’ fences. Stewart also has Chopard, Good Life and Tribute, champion last year in Regular Conformation, showing in that section.
Beyond was reserve champion last year in Regular Working Hunters, and Stewart will be trying this year to take that title, too. He is also showing Good Life and Prove It in the Working section.
“Everyone wants to show at Devon,” said Stewart. “It’s one of the few shows that has only one ring and lots of spectators. The only one to best Stewart last year was Louise Serio of Kennett Square, Pa., who rode Bridget Hallman’s Gray Slipper to the Regular Working Hunter Champ-ionship, and she and the grey gelding will be back to try to outdo Stewart again.
“We can’t let Scott have all the titles,” said Serio, who also won the Leading Lady Rider award. Those five hunter sections show Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, with Ladies Hunter, Side Saddle classes Wednesday afternoon.
All day Thursday is devoted to Breeding classes for yearling, 2- and 3-year-old colts, geldings and fillies.
The day starts with Pennsylvania bred classes and continues with open classes for thoroughbreds and other than thoroughbreds.
Ray Francis of Doylestown, Pa., was Leading Handler last year, taking that title for the fourth time, while Kenny Wheeler’s Cismont Manor Farm of Keswick, Va., owned the Best Young Horse, Spanish Spear. Wheeler has owned the Best Young Horse now for at least two decades.
Amateur Owner and Local Hunters compete Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, and Caroline Moran with her Pave’ returns to defend her championship in the Over 35 division of Amateur Owner Hunters. Moran, who grew up just a few miles from Devon, was also co-Leading Amateur Owner Hunter Rider last year. Her Mother, Betty Moran, whose Brushwood Stable campaigned top race horses including Belmont Stakes winner Crème Fraiche and I’m Sweets, is on the Devon board of Directors.
Along with hunters competing daily, there’s the excitement of the jumper classes, peaking with the $75,000 Devon Grand Prix Thursday evening, plus a great variety of equestrian disciplines, including high stepping gaited horses and carriages of all types, as well as exciting exhibitions.
The Budweiser Clydesdales perform in exhibition Wednesday, May 31, Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon, with herding dogs showing off their talents Saturday evening, June 3, and Pony Games will entertain spectators Friday, May 26, Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29.
The Country Fair features boutique shopping for sporting clothes, paintings and prints, gold and silver jewelry, garden accessories, furniture painted with horses and dogs, fancy hats, leather goods and antiques, collectibles and souvenirs.
Food is available for every taste, and there’s a fair with rides and games. For information on the availability of boxes, call Milly Levin at 610-964-0550.
General admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children under 12 and $5 for seniors. Reserved seating is available. Call for ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased in advance at the ticket office at the show grounds from April 5 to May 19, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, 10am to 3pm or call 610-688-2554.
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