The
Devon Horse Show and Country Fair for the benefit of Bryn Mawr Hospital will be held on the Fairgrounds at Devon, PA. from May 23 through June 2.
Here's some exciting news that the people at Devon have sent along to us about the Devon Grand Prix and the internationally known riders who will be at Devon this year.
Grand Prix of Devon Celebrates 35 Years!
A Little Grand Prix History...
In 1953, Jerry Baker competed on the United States Army show jumping team in Germany. He was very impressed by the European shows that featured elite classes with courses that were technically difficult, and jumps that were as challenging as they were beautifully appointed. He arrived back in the States determined to bring this European elegance to the American show ring.
 Baker organized the Grand Prix of Cleveland in 1965. It was held on Thursday in order to not detract from what was then considered the main event in American show jumping, the Stakes Class. It is a Grand Prix tradition that continues at Devon to this day. This first American Grand Prix was won by Mary Chapot aboard Tomboy. The rights to the show were then bought by Harry Gill and Leonard King and, in 1970, became the American Gold Cup.
Throughout the late sixties and early seventies, the Grand Prix concept spread through-out the United States. In 1978, King and Gene Mische formed the American Grandprix Association (AGA), whose purpose was to promote Olympic caliber show jumping throughout the United States by representing a network of Grand Prix events . The exposure made possible by the AGA attracted a significant amount of sponsorship and elevated the Grand Prix even further. King served as president of the AGA from 1978 until 1999.
That same year also saw the first Grand Prix of Devon, now the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon. It was won by the legendary Melanie Smith Taylor riding Val de Loire. Taylor was named Lady Rider of the Year and Rider of the Year. Val de Loire was named Horse of the Year. Taylor's accomplishments of 1978 were so impressive that the AGA decided to eliminate the Lady Rider category as it was clear that women had leveled the playing field.
 In the past 35 years, the Grand Prix of Devon has been won by such illustrious show jumping names as Rodney Jenkins, Conrad Homfeld, Joe Fargis, Leslie Burr Howard, Michael Matz and McLain Ward. Leonard King will be honored at the Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon on May 30 for his lifetime commitment to the Grand Prix and the Devon horse Show and Country Fair.
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2013 Grand Prix Excitement in the Devon Club
Some of the best internationally known Grand Prix riders will be at Devon this year, McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Margie Engle are returning after making a bid for the 2012 Olympic team here last year. Local Devon favorites Callan Solem, Lisa Jacquin and Kevin Babbington will be back as well.
You may have missed your chance to get Grandstand seating for the Grand Prix, but you can still experience the Grand Prix of Devon in ultimate style! Enjoy the cuisine and cocktails of The Capital Grille King of Prussia while viewing the Grand Prix on multiple closed circuit, wide screen televisions, all in the elegant surroundings of the Devon Club.
The delectable menu will include ample butlered hors d'oeuvres as well as chilled seafood, pasta, carving, artisanal cheese and dessert stations. A full bar will be offered as well. Please click here to visit our web site to view the menu.
Tables seating six begin at $1,290 and tables seating ten begin at $2,150. There is a premium charged for tables with a direct view of the Dixon Oval and/or the Gold Ring. We are only able to offer tables for 6 or for 10, individual seats will not be sold.
Tables for 6 include one parking pass, tables for 10 include 2 parking passes.
Photos courtesy of:
Brenda Carpenter
James Leslie Parker
Meg Wiederseim
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