The Lead Line event at Devon

There’s the Royal Wedding, and then there’s the Devon Horse Show.

Since 1896, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair have assured Philadelphia’s Main Line a unique place in the social history books. This major celebration of spring and everything “horsy,"—from Olympic-style riding competitions to “My Fair Lady” buggy processions, not to mention the wonder and magic of a Ferris Wheel-capped Country Fair—remains a classic throwback to another—perhaps even better—world.

This year’s show galloped into the Main Line (May 26 to June 5) with Wells Fargo as the official presenting sponsor, and with new and improved Devon digs—new roofing on the old stalls along Valley Forge Road, as well as capital improvements to the Fair’s cafeteria building and food area. The classic Main Line event seems to be gearing up for another century or more.

Fence Climbing

Years ago, as an Explorer Scout, I recall visiting the Fair and walking near the horse stalls shortly after a rainfall. The mud did not subtract from the experience but added to the allure and the overall sense of adventure. The consensus then was that the show was a “must do” for every Main Liner—even if that meant engaging in a little “climb the fence” hooliganism in order to get in free. The feeling in those days was that if one didn’t see the horse show in spring, it would not be a good summer.

While there’s really no need to climb the fence at Devon (let’s leave that to the horses) there will always be a need to support this show of shows.

This year’s Devon opener had a fundraising sendoff on Saturday, May 7 with The Black Tie and Boots Ball. The event took place on Betty Moran’s Brushwood Farm at Bryn Clovis in Malvern. With views of the rolling hills and oak trees, guests enjoyed dinner, cocktails and dancing and what the event’s organizers termed, “horses and paddocks at dusk.”

Carriage Competition

Life at the Devon Horse Show promises to get even better, with each succeeding year.

For starters, the Fair this year included a “performance in exhibition” of the Wells Fargo stagecoach Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, a number of breeding and coaching classes and—in addition to the hundreds of beautiful horses—a respectable number of pony competitions.

One Devon highlight could be right out of an MGM musical.

The Carriage Pleasure Drive starts at St. David’s Church about 4 or 5 miles from the Fairgrounds, and travels along South Valley Forge Road to Devon. According to Devon’s Sara Cavangh the carriages, drawn by ponies, were judged first at St. David's Church and then in the Dixon Oval at Devon.

“After the initial judging at St. David's in the morning,” Cavangh noted, “the carriages head to S. Valley Forge Rd., then onto Church, Sugartown, Newtown, and a large number of roads around the area, and finally onto Valley Forge and into the back gate of Devon where, beginning at 2 p.m. they are judged again.”
Cavangh explained that a number of individuals are posted along the roads to judge the carriages and to report their findings to the judges.

“Most of the people who live along the route set out picnics in order to watch the carriages go by,” Cavangh added.
 
Jumping Contests

This year’s Jumping Competition raised high the roof beams with the return of Olympic veterans like McLain Ward, two- time Olympic Team Gold Medalist; Joe Fargis, 1984-Olympic Team and Individual Gold Medalist; Wayne native Lisa Jacquin, 1988 Olympic Team Silver Medalist, and Peter Leone, 1996 Atlanta Olympic Team Silver Medalist.

Also on hand was Laura Chapot, who traditionally trades the Leading Rider title with McLain Ward.

Ceremonial flourishes were in high gear, too, such as the heavily costumed Pony Hunt Teams (always a thrill in this age of minimalism and ‘dumbing down’) in which teams of three riders presented gifts to the judges.

Visitors can also look forward to the Devon Doggie Parade and the Devon Hat Parade and Contest.

Non-Profit Contributions

While Devon’s benefits may be incalculable on a personal level, organizations like Bryn Mawr Hospital and Malvern’s Thorncroft Equestrian Center, a therapeutic horseback riding center, can thank Devon for much of its green sustainability.

“The horse show has a non-profit arm to it. The 2010 show donated $370,000 to Bryn Mawr Hospital,” says the hospital’s Associate Director of Development, Julie W. Hyland. “It’s been a wonderful relationship. We have no other donor who has given at such a level. We work well together.”

Charitable History

Hyland explained that the show was nearly cancelled in 1918 because of the country’s entry into WWI, but that the intervention of William H. Wanamaker and Dr. Thomas G. Ashton saved the day. “They believed that public support could be mustered if the show was produced to benefit a wartime charity,” she said.

After the ‘war show,’ Dr. Ashton and Mr. Wanamaker organized a second smaller show to benefit Bryn Mawr Hospital. “Mrs. Archibald Barklie, wife of the Horse Show Vice President, was asked to serve as Chairman of the Country Fair, a role she would fill for many years,” Hyland said.

Thorncroft

The show also benefits Malvern’s Thorncroft Equestrian Center, a legendary therapeutic center for children and adults with physical and mental handicaps. Situated on 70 acres of horse country land, the Thorncroft stable of 35 horses and staff of 30 has been under the direction of Saunders and Sallie Dixon, who opened their farm for this special enterprise in 1969.

Thorncroft’s worldwide reputation has helped adults and kids with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injuries.

In addition to the Horse Show, Thorncroft recently hosted its 26th Annual Victory Gallop on April 2, 2011, which generates almost $160,000 annually for the therapeutic riding program.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is more than horses and stylish riders. Guests can enjoy delicious pedestrian delights such as pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers, lemon sticks and classic Devon fudge. For a more extensive dining experience, there’s the Garden Café for lunch, dinner and fine wines.

Besides a host of boutique shopping opportunities, for fine art aficionados there’s the First Night at Devon at the Art Gallery on Wednesday, May 25. This 6 to 8 p.m. cocktail reception allowed guests to purchase quality art, including a limited, Giclee format edition of The Connemara Four painting by Jamie Wyeth.

For more information, www.devonhorseshow.org.