2024 Devon Horse Show And Country Fair Starts Wednesday: What To Know

DEVON, PA — Wednesday will mark the start of the 128th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in North America.

The event will take place Wednesday through Sunday, June 2.

The show’s 128th anniversary includes an additional day along with almost $1 million in prize money and another $1 million during the last year for ground improvements to best accommodate its equestrians and loyal spectators. Remaining true to its legacy, The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair raises money for their beneficiary, The Bryn Mawr Hospital.

"With the number of entries increasing every year, we are pleased to offer our riders and attendees an additional day of competition and pageantry," Wayne W. Grafton, CEO and Chairman, Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, said. "This change will distribute the events over an extra day so that the show ends in a timely manner on Sunday and concludes at a reasonable time each evening."

In 2024, competitors, exhibitors, and spectators will also benefit from more than $1 million in improvements made over the past year that are going towards barn refurbishments, show rings, the committee stand, and fairgrounds. The 12 days of world-class equestrian competition will include an all-star lineup of entertainment, gourmet food, specialty boutiques, amusement rides, carnival games, and more.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair features many of the nation's top equestrians vying for victory and almost $1 million in prize money while competing in Devon’s renowned Dixon Oval and Wheeler Ring. The full prize list is available online featuring some of the most popular classes as follows:

• $50,000 Arena Eventing competition on Sunday, May 26
• $38,700 Jet Run Welcome Stake on Tuesday, May 28
• $38,700 Main Line Challenge Speed Stake on Wednesday, May 29
• $25,000 International USHJA Hunter Derby on Thursday, May 30
• $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon on Thursday, May 30
• $38,700 Devon Speed Derby on Friday, May 31
• $145,100 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake on Saturday, June 1

The show will be available to an international audience through its live stream to 57 countries on the USEF Network and ESPN. More information about the 2024 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is available at online here.

Started in 1896, the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the oldest and largest outdoor multi-breed horse show in North America and draws in top competitors from around the world. With the grandeur of Philadelphia's historic Main Line as its backdrop, the show continues to reflect the local traditions and lifestyles of the community. The event is run by more than 2,000 volunteers and offers a variety of boutique shops in miniature cottages, amusement rides and games for kids, multiple dining options, and live entertainment. Proceeds support The Bryn Mawr Hospital.

The Devon Horse Show Foundation is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit. The organization is operated to perform the charitable and educational purposes of The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, Inc. It also supports the maintenance and improvement of the historic Devon Horse Show grounds to ensure its position as one of the premier equestrian event facilities in the world.

Tickets

Special Ticket Packages are avialable online here or by calling 610-688-2554 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• All Performance Package $350
• 5 Night FEI events $300
• 3 Night FEI events $170
• 3 Night Dixon Oval Ringside Bench Seating $150
• Main Parking Lot Entire Show $325
• Reserved Grandstand Seating is $20 to $80

All tickets and packages are available online, at the ticket office, or by phone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m at 610-688-2554. Tickets may also be purchased the day of at the main entrance. General admission tickets are $20, seniors age 70 and up and children 6 to 18 years old are $10, children 5 and under are free. Tickets for the Grand Prix on May 30 are an additional $10.

General Hours

Gates will open daily at about 8 a.m. and close at about 10 p.m. each day. The Country Fair The Country Fair area opens starting Thursday, May 23 at 10 a.m. for all food booths, the Midway and Shopping.

First Competition Day, Wednesday

Free to the public until 2 p.m. and then closing for a private event.

Competition plus souvenirs, select food booths and shopping. All food booths, shopping and midway open the following day, Thursday, May 23, when The Country Fair begins.

3’3 Junior Hunter, Small and Large Sections in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Pony Breeding Section in the Wheeler Ring
Begins at 8am until 2 p.m.

Opening Day, Thursday

Family Day Special Pricing

Enjoy exclusive one-day-only offers at the Country Fair food booths and on the Midway rides.
Specials on food, souvenirs and the midway.

Junior Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Hunter Pony Competition in the Wheeler Ring
Begins at 7:30 a.m.

The Dog Show at Devon
7 p.m.

The canines take to the Dixon oval to compete in the Devon Dog Show. Presented by What A Good Dog, the show will include an exciting exhibition and four classes: Walk-Trot with Me, Jumpers, Tricks and the Lead Line Costume Parade.

Friday

Junior Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Lead Line (ages 5 and under) in the Dixon Oval
Begins at about 1 p.m.

Pony Hunter Competition in the Wheeler Ring
Begins at 8 a.m. Junior Jumpers in the Dixon Oval Evening Event

Saturday

Junior Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Pony Hunter Competition in the Wheeler Ring
Begins at 8 a.m.

Radnor Hunt Fox Hounds
Evening Event

Foxhunting is the traditional sport of mounted riders chasing wild quarry with a pack of hounds. Founded in 1883, Radnor Hunt is the oldest continuously active foxhunt in the United States. During this exhibition, members of the hunt will demonstrate some of the skills they use out in the hunt field. Navigating a horse through a pack of hounds, dealing with trappy terrain, and riding as a group are all skills you’ll see ably demonstrated.

Sunday

Children’s Jumper in the Wheeler Ring
Starting at 8 a.m.

Carriage Pleasure Drive
Begins at noon at St. David’s Church, Judging in Dixon Oval at 1 p.m.

Area driving clubs will continue their traditional Pleasure Drive through the local neighborhoods. Join us in cheering on the carriage drivers as they travel through the streets of Devon.

Itty Bitty Tea Party in The Devon Club
Three seatings: 10:30 a.m., noon, and 2:30 p.m.

Children ages 4 and under may enjoy an afternoon of fun, refreshments, and tea party treats. Tickets are $35 per child and do not include general admission to the grounds.

WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase
4:30 p.m.

Pint-sized jockeys and Shetland Ponies speed around the Dixon Oval.

Valley Forge Military Academy Honor Guard
7 p.m.

Valley Forge Military Academy and College is a private boarding school and military junior college in Wayne, Pa. Its Honor Guard follows in military school format with Army traditions.

$50,000 Arena Eventing
Evening Event

In 2017, Arena Eventing was added to the Devon Horse Show as a special event on the show’s first Sunday night. The competition takes place over an enclosed show jumping course spanning both the Dixon Oval and the Wheeler Ring. This thrilling event requires both precision and stamina as horse and rider teams traverse a 30-jump course designed by Olympic gold medalist, former coach of the US Olympic Eventing team, and renowned international course designer, Captain Mark Phillips.

Monday

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase
Begins at 4 p.m. in the Dixon Oval

Tribute to Heroes – Memorial Day
Begins at 6 p.m. in the Dixon Oval

Each Memorial Day, Devon continues its tradition of honoring our community heroes with a special recognition ceremony featuring local military and emergency responders. As a special way to honor their service, free general admission will be provided to all active and retired military personnel, police, fire, and EMT personnel and their families.

The Orpheus Club
Evening Event

Founded in 1872, the Orpheus Club of Philadelphia is the oldest men’s singing group in America and is a prominent fixture in the social and cultural life of our area. The singing members span from the ages of 20 to 80 and are always a crowd pleaser.

Tuesday

Family Day Special Pricing

Enjoy exclusive one-day-only offers at the Country Fair food booths and on the Midway rides.

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Free Afternoon Guided Back Barn Tours from the Picnic Grove
3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Last tour leaves at 5:30 p.m.)

$38,700 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake
Evening Event

In the evening, the $38,700 Jet Run Welcome Stake presents the first of Devon’s 6 international show jumping events. Watch competitors compete over a 1.45m course.

Wednesday, May 29

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Ladies Day
9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The Ladies Day event has been a tradition at Devon that dates back to the early 1900s and took place on the same day as the lady’s sidesaddle competition. This year’s much-anticipated event has a French theme “J’adore Devon” and will again include the famous Hat Contest with celebrity judges’ reception, followed by a ticketed luncheon in the Devon Club.

$38,700 Main Line Challenge in the Dixon Oval
7 p.m.

Thursday, May 30

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

$25,000 International USHJA Hunter Derby
Begins at 9 a.m.

Watch as horses and riders gain experience in Derby competition in the $25,000 International USHJA Hunter Derby.

The Orpheus Club
Before Grand Prix

$250,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon
7:30 p.m.

The pinnacle of international show jumping, the Grand Prix is one not to miss as some of the best athletes and horses in the sport compete over a grand prix course ranging from 1.45m to 1.60m fences.

Friday, May 31

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 7:30 a.m.

$38,700 Devon Speed Derby
Evening Event

The evening highlight is the fast and furious Devon Speed Derby.

Saturday, June 1

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

The Devon Derby Car Raffle Drawing for the Land Rover 2024 Defender
6:45 p.m.

$145,100 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake
Begins at 7 p.m.

The final evening of the FEI International classes, this highly exciting event is all about speed and a clear round.

Sunday, June 2

Equestrian Competition in the Dixon Oval
Begins at 8 a.m.

Children’s Day at The Pavilion Crafts
10 a.m. - noon

Hat Parade
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Children’s Day festivities include decorating hats with feathers, glitter, buttons, beads, and other adornments, in addition to various other crafts. They will then parade their unique creations through the Country Fair grounds.

Plant Sale
At about 3 p.m., after the last class ends, the plant sale is held inside the Main Gate.