Pennsylvania’s Devon Horse Show Receives USEF Heritage Competition Status
RELEASE: January 26, 2010
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Brian Sosby
Photo by Brenda Carpenter Photography
Lexington, KY—The Devon Horse Show, a historic Pennsylvania equestrian event that has become a part of the fabric of the American showing scene, is the fourth American horse show to be honored with the United States Equestrian Federation’s designation as a USEF Heritage Competition. Devon has now received the highest honor that can be given to a Federation horse show.
The designation of a USEF Heritage Competition is reserved for those competitions that have been in existence for a quarter century or more, promoted and grown equestrian sport, and made a contribution to the community outside the gates of the horse show by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of sportsmanship and competition.
In 1896, the Devon Horse Show started as a one-day show. Now, 114 years later, this USEF-A rated show is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the country. While it draws top competitors from around the world, the show continues to reflect the local traditions and lifestyles of the area.
In 1914, Devon boasted 1,000 entries bringing it to the forefront of the show season. Three years later, in 1917, the show became a founding member of the American Horse Show Association (AHSA, now USEF). Devon also has a long-standing commitment to the local Bryn Mawr Hospital. From 1972 to the present, more than $14 million has been donated to support such projects as the hospital’s Emergency department, Comprehensive Breast Care Center, Maternal-Fetal Medicine program, Outpatient Diagnostic Center to name a few.
“The Devon Horse Show is deeply rooted in our country’s horse show world,” said USEF Chief Executive Officer John Long. “It has been a staple on the U.S. horse show calendar and represents everything the USEF looks for when designating a Heritage Competition.”
The specific requirements of a Heritage Competition can be found in the
USEF Rule Book, GR301.6 or at
www.usef.org/documents/ruleBook/2009/GeneralRules/Chapter%203.pdf.
Interested competitions may apply for Heritage Competition designation by completing the form available at
www.usef.org/documents/competitions/2009/HeritageApplication.pdf.
ENDS