Devon, PA – April 11, 2016 – The improvements to the Devon Horse Show grounds continue with the new ringside building next to the famed Dixon Oval and the all-new Anniversary Square project is rapidly coming together. The finishing touches are being applied to over 200 additional refurbished stalls as the 120th anniversary edition of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair gets ready for lift-off on May 26th and continuing through June 5th, 2016.
There is so much that’s new for 2016, including the governing body of world-wide equestrian sport, the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), now ranking the Devon Horse Show as a premier CSI 4* rated competition, the second highest possible ranking.
Adding to the list of exciting new additions, it was announced earlier this year that the Board of Directors of the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame (SHJHOF) has chosen the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair as the location for their popular Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. For decades, the induction was part of the American Invitational’s half-time ceremonies in Florida.
“With the American Invitational’s move to be part of the Global Champions Tour, we were worried that the new inductees might not get the full recognition they deserve in the afternoon production on Miami Beach,” said famed horseman George Morris, the President of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame.
“Bringing the inductions to Devon, one of America’s greatest shows for so long, and to feature them under the lights at the great old Dixon Oval in front of that huge knowledgeable crowd, makes complete sense. We thank the Devon Horse Show for making the Show Jumping Hall of Fame part of their exciting Thursday night line-up.”
Elizabeth Busch Burke
As Devon continues to lead the way into the future of the sport, this year’s induction ceremony offers a unique chance to take a look back to the formative days of big-time show jumping in America when the Devon main event became the Budweiser Grand Prix of Devon, thanks to the determination of Elizabeth Busch Burke, who will be one of the inductees into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame this year.
Not only did Burke bring the Budweiser title sponsorship to Devon, but in addition, her far sighted thinking brought the professional TV production team from Bud Sports to Devon. Long before it became a reality for many other equestrian events, show jumping from the Dixon Oval was broadcast world-wide on the networks of ESPN.
Peter Doubleday, co-manager of the Devon Horse Show and the voice of the Sapphire Grand Prix had these comments about Elizabeth Busch Burke. “Her relentless enthusiasm for the Devon Horse Show was the key factor for sponsorship and television coverage. Devon was always at the top of her list of favorites and when asked to help out, she never wavered,” he said and added, “She was one of the best!”
David Distler, who co-manages the Devon Horse Show with Doubleday echoed his sentiments saying, “Elizabeth was a great supporter of Devon. Thanks to her, Devon enjoyed Budweiser as the title sponsor of our Grand Prix for years, along with the Budweiser Clydesdales. Her enthusiasm for the sport was unmatched.”
Burke is the daughter of 1988 Show Jumping Hall of Fame inductee August A. Busch, Jr., the President of Anheuser-Busch.
Katie Prudent
Also being inducted this year is two of the nation’s finest female riders of all time. From West Coast, California’s all-time leading lady rider, Susan Hutchison will be inducted as will, Katie Monahan Prudent of Virginia. Hutchison has won over 70 grand prix events, while Monahan-Prudent is close behind with 64 all-time wins.
Following her junior years, where she won the ASPCA Maclay Finals and the AHSA National Hunt Seat Medal Finals, Prudent’s career skyrocketed. In the first-ever FEI World Cup Final, in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1979, she finished second and went on to ride in five more Finals in the 1980s.
Prudent dominated that decade of the ’80s as few other riders have been able to do. She was selected to the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, but because of the U.S. boycott, she rode on the U.S. Team at the Alternate Olympics in Rotterdam. She won the American Invitational three times aboard three different horses – Noren in 1983, The Governor in 1985, and Special Envoy in 1988. Prudent was also part of the United States’ Gold Medal team with Amadia at the 1986 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
“It’s exciting that riders the caliber of Katie and Susie are being inducted,” Distler pointed out. “They are among the first of their peers to enter the Hall of Fame, and the fact that Katie is from the East Coast and Susie is from the West Coast makes it all the better.”
“An extremely dedicated rider and now a top trainer, Katie always gave 100 percent and her riding resume shows worldwide success in our sport,” said Doubleday.
Prudent was named the American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year three times in the ’80s (1982, 1986, and 1988) and in 1987 was awarded the Whitney Stone Cup for her superior record in international competition and for serving as an ambassador for the USET and equestrian sports.
Prudent also achieved great success training and preparing young riders for top competition. In addition to her son, Adam, she has helped develop such top riders as Alison Firestone, USEF veteran Elise Haas and Reed Kessler, who became the youngest show jumping rider to compete in the Olympic Games when she rode in the 2012 Olympics in London. In 2000, Prudent was named Coach of the Year by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Susie Hutchinson
Susie Hutchison’s career in show jumping has been highlighted by nearly four dozen Grand Prix wins. She has represented the United States at six FEI World Cup Finals and the FEI World Equestrian Games. She finished fourth in the 1993 World Cup Final in Gothenburg and topped the World Cup’s USA West Coast League standings three times.
Hutchison has earned victories at some of the nation’s most prestigious horse shows, winning such events as the Los Angeles National Grand Prix and the Grand Prix of New York at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. She also won the Mercedes Challenge Series in 1989.
In 1992, Hutchison was named American Grandprix Association (AGA) Rider of the Year and was voted Rider of the Year by The Chronicle of the Horse. In 1993, she was the first recipient of the Mark Muller Perpetual Sportsmanship Award of the Pacific Coast Horse Show Association and was Leading Rider of the Desert Circuit Series in Indio, CA.
In 1994, she was selected to ride for the U.S. in the Show Jumping World Championships at the World Equestrian Games in The Hague. Riding her longtime partner Woodstock, on whom she had earned more than 20 top three Grand Prix placings, she helped the U.S. to a fifth place finish.
In 1995, Hutch, as she is known, was nominated for the AHSA Equestrian of the Year Award. She was also voted California Horsewoman of the Year by the California Professional Horsemen’s Association (CPHA).
Doubleday had these thoughts of Hutchison’s election to the Show Jumping Hall of Fame. “I will always remember how great of a horseperson she was and still is. She got the most out of her horses and it was a treat when she would travel east to compete and win against the major players out here,” he said
Hutchison began riding at the Flintridge Riding Club with Hall of Famer Jimmy Williams when she was five years old. Hutchison has served on the U.S.’s Active Rider Committee and was selected to judge the USET Medal Finals in Gladstone, New Jersey.
Budweiser Clydesdales at the Dixon Oval
The trio will be honored at the Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony, which will be held for the first time at the Devon Horse Show on Thursday evening, June 2, before the start of the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon which is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m.
For a complete schedule of this year’s show, visit the website at: http://www.devonhorseshow.net/
For exhibitor information, visit: http://www.devonhorseshow.net/exhibitors/
2016 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair Fast Facts
What:
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the longest running and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States. With the grandeur of Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line setting the stage, the event features a world-class field that annually ranks among the most prominent internationally. The event also includes the Country Fair that offers world-class shopping, rides and games for kids, multiple dining options and special entertainment events.
When:
May 26th through June 5th, 2016
Where:
Devon Horse Show Grounds
23 Dorset Road
Devon, PA
Prize List and Exhibitor Information:
Devonhorseshow.net/exhibitors/exhibitors-info/
New This Year – FEI CSI4* Designation
*$50,000 Devon Welcome Stake (Time first jump-off) on Tuesday night, May 31.
*$40,000 Devon International Speed Stake (Time first round) on Wednesday night, June 1.
*$225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix on Thursday night, June 2nd
*Plus National Jumper classes
Stabling:
Approximately 900 permanent stalls Many barns renovated within the last 5 years
Restroom facilities with showers
Parking:
Limited parking is available for spectators at the Main Lot on Dorset Road across from the Main Entrance.
Directions:
From Philadelphia International Airport
Follow signs to I-95 South and follow I-95 South approximately 5 miles. Merge onto I-476 North via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting. Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.
From the Northeast
Follow I-95 South. Look for I-476 approximately 5 miles South of the Philadelphia
International Airport. Merge onto I-476 North via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting.
Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.
From the South
Follow I-95 North toward Philadelphia. Once you’ve crossed into Delaware, keep right and take I-495 North via exit 5D toward Port of Wilmington / Philadelphia. Follow for I-495 North and merge onto I-95 North (Crossing into Pennsylvania). Follow I-95 North to I-476 North. Take I-476 N via exit 7 toward Plymouth Meeting. Follow I-476 North for approximately 13 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.
From the East
Follow the Schuylkill Expressway / I-76 West to I-476 South. Merge onto I-476 South via exit 331A on the left toward Chester. Follow I-476 South for approximately 2 miles to exit 13, US-30. Turn left onto US-30 West. Follow US-30 West for approximately 3 miles and the Devon Horse Show will be on your left.
From the West
Follow the Pennsylvania Turnpike / I-76 E toward Philadelphia. Take exit 326 toward Valley Forge. Stay in right lane after the tolls. Merge onto US-202 South via exit 328A toward West Chester. Follow US-202 South for approximately 2 miles. Take the PA-252 North exit toward Devon. Make a left onto Valley Forge Road / PA-252. Continue to follow Valley Forge Road for approximately .5 miles and make a slight right turn onto Devon State Road. Follow Devon State road for approximately 1 mile until you reach a dead end. Make a left onto Old Lancaster Road and then an immediate right onto Waterloo Road. Turn left on to Lancaster Avenue / US-30 East and the Devon Horse Show will be on your right within .2 miles.