Devon Horse Show facts for kids
Sydney Shulman competing at the Devon Horse Show in 2016
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| Location | Devon, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Held | Annually, late May–early June |
| Inaugurated | 1896 |
| Breeds shown | Multi-breed |
| Total purse | $1 million |
| Attendance | 120,000 |
| Slogan | Where Champions Meet |
The Devon Horse Show, also known as The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, is a super exciting yearly event. It happens in late May or early June in Devon, Pennsylvania. This show has been going on since 1896! It's the oldest and biggest outdoor horse show in the United States. It also helps raise money for Bryn Mawr Hospital.
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What is the Devon Horse Show?
The Devon Horse Show is the oldest and largest outdoor horse competition in the United States. It started way back in 1896. The event helps promote great horsemanship and horse breeding. It focuses on how horses look, how well they perform, and how fast they can be.
The show has changed a lot over the years. Today, it brings in people from all over the world. Both competitors and spectators love to visit. You can see many different types of horse events here. These include:
- Horses judged on their looks (in-hand)
- Horses jumping over obstacles (jumpers)
- Horses showing their skills in the hunting field (hunters)
- Horses pulling carriages
- Horses with special gaits (like a smooth trot)
The total prize money for the winners is almost $1 million!
Where the Action Happens
The Devon Horse Show has two main areas for competitions. These are the Dixon Oval and the Wheeler Ring.
The Dixon Oval is the main arena. It's surrounded by grandstands where people can sit and watch. Above the main entrance, you'll see the words, "Where Champions Meet."
The Wheeler Ring is a bit smaller. It hosts classes with more entries. This includes pony breeding classes and competitions for younger riders. It also features local hunter classes.
Visitors and Live Streams
The Devon Horse Show is a huge event. About 2,000 volunteers help make it happen. Each day, between 8,000 and 14,000 people visit the show. In 2023, over 100,000 visitors came to the show grounds!
If you can't be there in person, you can still watch. The horse show is live-streamed to 57 countries. You can watch it through the USEF Network and ESPN.
History of the Devon Horse Show
The very first Devon Horse Show was a one-day event. It took place on July 2, 1896. It was held at the Devon Race Track and Polo Grounds. There were only 30 different competitions, and the biggest one had just ten horses. The show ring was covered in grass. Judges and officials sat in a special gazebo in the middle.
The Country Fair
In 1919, a country fair was added to the event. This fair is a lot of fun! It has:
- Vendors selling all sorts of things
- A fun carousel ride
- A big Ferris wheel
- Exciting carnival games
- Other cool attractions
A special tradition at the show is the Devon Tea Cart. It's been around for a century! The cart serves delicious tea and sandwiches.
In 2015, the Devon Horse Show got a special honor. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission placed a historical marker outside the show grounds. This marker celebrates the show's long history.
Helping the Community
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair does more than just entertain. It's the biggest fundraising event for Bryn Mawr Hospital. This hospital was founded in 1893.
Since 1919, the Devon show has raised over $18 million for the hospital. This money helps support important programs and services. For example, it helps the emergency department and programs for new mothers. It also supports the outpatient diagnostic center. In 2017, the Devon Country Fair gave the hospital $2 million to help with its modernization project.
