May 2023 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN May 2023 Page 7 World Class Competition Highlights Devon Horse Show, “Where Champions Meet” Wheeler Ring and increased prize money. With a FEI CSI4 ranking, athletes competing in any of these events will be eligible to earn world ranking points. On the show’s opening weekend known as “Junior Week- end,” younger riders from around the country will compete for top honors starting Thursday, May 25th through Sunday, May 28th. These top children and teen riders will have their time to shine in the famed Dixon kicking off Me- morial Day Weekend starting at 8 am, Thursday, May 25th. This year will also feature the country’s top hunter riders in high level competition. Recognized for its world-class hunter events, Dev- on will once again host a variety of hunter divisions, all with a US Equestrian (USEF) Premier hunter rating. A highlight of the week is the fan favorite $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will once again be sponsored by the Wheeler family. Competition for this event kicks off on Thurs- day, June 1st at 10 am. FromWednesday, May 31 through Saturday June 3rd, the graceful Saddlebred and Hackney competition classes take to the Dixon Oval. The $3,000 Five-Gait- ed Saddlebred Stake brings the elegance of these athletes to the forefront on Friday, June 2nd. The $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing returns for its fifth year. This extraordinary competition features a blend of cross-country and stadium jumps across both the Dixon Oval and Wheeler Rings. Open to the nation’s top athletes, the technically difficult course will once again be designed by Olym- pic Gold Medalist, Captain Mark Phillips of Great Britain. Several family friendly exhibitions will also take place throughout the show. On Thurs- day, May 25th, the canines take to the Dixon Oval to compete in the Dog Show at Devon. Pre- sented by What A Good Dog, the show will include an excit- ing exhibition, three classes: Simon Says, Novelty Division, the Canine Lead Line Costume Parade, and the popular selfie station inside the Dixon Oval for all participants. Other must-see exhibitions include the always popular Radnor Hunt Hounds on Saturday May 27th and the WIH S Shetland Pony Steeplechase on Sunday May 28th and Monday May 29th. In addition, the Bud- weiser Clydesdales will appear at approximately 6:55 p.m. from Thursday, June 1 through Satur- day, June 3. Last but definitely far from least, the 11 days will finish with pony and horse hunter breeding which takes place in the Dixon Oval beginning at 8 am on Sunday, June 4th. The most promising young ponies and horses in the country will have their chance in the spotlight, and breeders will have the opportunity to display their up-and-coming foals, year- lings, and young ponies and horses. For more information about the 2023 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair and to purchase tickets, visit www.DevonHorse Show.net. (Continued from page 1) Boyd Martin, (left) Australian native, US Olympian and Cochranville, PA resident, competes in Arena Eventing, which is held Sunday nights at the Devon Horse Show. A junior rider celebrates her win with a kiss for her pony during Junior Weekend, which will be held Thursday through Sunday, May 25 to 28. Photo credit: Kind Media LLC