DEVON, Pa.-Olympic veteran Boyd Martin of Cochranville, Pa., is one of the favorites to win Arena Eventing on Sunday, May 28 at 7 pm, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair’s newest addition to its lineup of exciting, world-class competitions.
Boyd Martin on Steady Eddy competing at Rolex Ky - photo by Allen MacMillanDevon runs May 25 to June 4 and benefits Bryn Mawr Hospital, to which it has donated over $14,000,000.
Martin was the top-placed U.S. rider at both the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, riding Shamwari 4, and the 2010 WEG in Lexington, riding Neville Bardos.
He was a member of the 2016 and 2012 US Olympic Teams and is one of the leading event riders of today.
In addition to representing the USA, Boyd has enjoyed international competitive success, finishing seventh in the world in 2014 and in the top 10 at every four-star in the world: Rolex Kentucky CCI4* in Lexington, Ky.; Pau CCI4* in France; Boekelo CIC4* in the Netherlands; Luhmuehlen CCI4* in Germany; the World Equestrian Games in the USA and France and Burghley CCI4* in England.
But one of the biggest reasons he is a favorite to win Devon’s Arena Eventing is that he was won a similar event in Wellington Fla., all three times it has been run.
“Devon’s Event is similar to the one in Florida,” said Martin. “It’s a very exciting event for the crowd, because they can see the whole competition up close while sitting in a chair. That’s not usual for eventing.”
“Arena eventing is not going to replace regular eventing, but it’s a great showcase for our sport,” said Martin. “It’s held in a smaller venue before a different crowd,”
Devon’s prize money of $50,000 is the third highest prize money for any type of eventing held in this country, with only Rolex Kentucky CCI4* and Wellington offering more prize money.
“The prize money is great,” said Martin. “The majority of it goes to the owners of the horses, and it’s great to repay these owners for how much money they’ve put into this sport.”
The first round will incorporate both cross country and open jumping fences, and the course of about 25 jumps, designed by Captain Mark Phillips, will wind through both the Gold Ring and the Dixon Oval.
Faults will be assessed for knockdowns and for exceeding the maximum time,
There will be a jump-off in the Dixon Oval for all those going clean in the first round.
THE FEATURED competition is the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix at 8:00 o’clock Thursday evening.
FEI Open Jumpers begin Tuesday evening at 7:00 with the Welcome Stake and continue with a Speed Stake Wednesday evening and on Friday with the Speed Derby, concluding Saturday evening with the stake and championship, and amateur/owner jumpers are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Hunter classes begin on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, with green hunters 3’6”, green hunters 3’9” and green conformation hunters performing Monday and Tuesday.
High performance hunters and high performance conformation hunters begin Tuesday and finish Wednesday.
The $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby is at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
There are three-and five-gaited Saddlebreds, hackney and fine harness horses and ponies, breeding classes and coaching competitions beginning with the Carriage Pleasure Drive on Sunday, May 28.
There is a fun Dog Show on Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m., with sections varying from tricks to walk-trot, jumpers, speed weavers, K9 stakes and the lead line costume parade.
Ladies Day at Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will showcase the ‘Jewels of Devon’ for this year’s theme on Wednesday, May 31.
“Ladies Day started over 15 years ago as a very small event and has since grown to be one of the most anticipated events at the Horse Show,” said Kristy Rosenberger, Ladies Day Chair.
Among the judges of the Hat Contest is Carson Kressley, television personality and fashion designer.
Exhibitions begin with the Mummers on Friday evening, May 2.
Pony racing is scheduled for Sunday and Monday afternoons, May 28 and 29, and Guy McLean, the Australian trick rider who has performed to great acclaim before at Devon, will show off his prowess at cracking a whip and then stand on the back of one horse while guiding four others at the same time.
McLean will perform Wednesday through Saturday of adult week.
The World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales will perform Friday night, June 2 and Saturday night, June 3.
Devon features boutique shopping for men’s and women’s clothing, fine gold and silver jewelry, paintings and prints, furniture, antiques, collectibles and souvenirs.
There is food for every palate, ranging from hamburgers and hot dogs to gourmet dining and the famous Devon fudge.
The midway offers rides and games for all ages, with the Ferris wheel dominating the Fair area and offering a wonderful view of the entire show grounds when its riders are on the top.
Located on Route 30 in Devon, Pa., Devon runs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily except Sunday, May 28, which is 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, June 4, which is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $15, with $5 for children 18 and under and senior citizens. Reserved seating tickets range from $15 to $75, depending on the day and session. For ticket information, call 610-688-2554 Monday, through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the ticket office on the show grounds. Or go to devonhorseshow.net.
For information, call 610-964-0550.
