Lucy Deslauriers and Class Action (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Each of the eight riders qualified for the Championship class by placing first in one of the equitation divisions - the ASPCA Maclay, the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal, the WIHS Jumper Phase or the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search.
This year, it was Lucy Deslauriers who rose up to earn the title, besting the field of talented young riders to claim the honor.
"It's an honor to qualify, let alone come out with a win," Deslauriers expressed. "This show and the championship have a lot of prestige and tradition. Qualifying was something I was definitely proud to do. I was excited to have another opportunity. It was definitely a little bit trickier having another class and finding a few more distances, but I was overall very excited to do the class."
Deslauriers, who trains with Stacia Madden of Beacon Hill Show Stables, chose to ride Class Action. The 17-year-old superstar carried her to wins in the WIHS and Talent Search on Thursday.
"I felt really confident in my rides yesterday on this horse," Deslauriers said. "He had been in this ring twice already, so I knew it would be a good decision to choose him. As long I didn't mess up, he was going to do his job. He feels really great, especially for being 17. We try not to do too much with him and respect his age. He knows his job. We try to do as much as we can, but trust that he'll respond."
Lucy Deslauriers and Class Action (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Madden was very proud of Deslauriers' performance and praised the rising talent's attention to detail in her rounds.
"Lucy loves the sport," Madden said. "She's an unbelievable stylist, and I think the judges really appreciate her natural style and ability to ride with the motion with the horses. I think all of her jumper experience that she has gained through the years has given her an extreme amount of confidence when she goes into the equitation ring."
With blue ribbons already under their belts, Daisy Farish, TJ O'Mara, Madison Goetzmann, McKayla Langmeier, Maya Nayyar, Katherine Bundy and Ellie Ferrigno also tried their hand at the Alan Lohman-designed course.
Farish delivered a well-executed round atop Cassio and impressed the judges to secure the reserve champion honors.
"I think [the class] was awesome and added another element of challenge," Farish said. "It brought a whole other feeling to it. First we have all our classes, and now the added championship class. It gives it an important feeling. I think Lucy was leading whether it was the other format or not, so she deserved it."
Daisy Farish and Cassio (Lauren Baker/Phelps Media Group)
Madden, who holds a seat on the USHJA equitation committee, explained the committee's thought process surrounding the decision to update the format of the Ronnie Mutch Championship.
"The format of the class was really to have the kids be able to go head-to-head," Madden explained. "Before, there would be two or three winners, and they were trying to break away from the idea of having multiple winners in a class that is supposed to deem the 'championship rider.'
"I think it's important for everyone to understand that we weren't trying to add another class or see more jumping," Madden continued. "We really wanted to give these kids an opportunity at a national horse show like this to compete head-to-head in the middle of the show year instead of making them wait until the end. I like the format, and I thought it ran well. It was a very different vibe behind the scenes, for me anyway. You had more focus on the class and less focus on all the point calculations."
The action will continue with the Junior Hunter divisions on Saturday. Highlight events during the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will include the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*.
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.
Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley Go for Devon Blue in Junior Jumpers
Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley (Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group)
The Junior Jumper riders continued to showcase their skill Friday as the highlight event for the evening lineup at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. Longtime Devon competitor and former Pony Hunter Champion, Madison Goetzmann and her veteran mount Wrigley bested a 10-horse jump-off to take home the Devon blue with a speedy clear effort at the end of the night.
"I love this show," expressed Goetzmann. "Sometimes when I'm cantering in this ring, I look over to the Gold Ring and I reminisce about going around on the ponies. It's weird to move up so quickly, but it's such an amazing feeling being in this atmosphere with all the fans. It's really great."
Francesca Dildabanian set the time to beat as the second to return for the tiebreaker with Catika Van De Helle. The pair produced the first double clear round, breaking the beam at 42.636 seconds. One round later, Eve Jobs rode with her eye on the prize aboard Sandor De La Pomme. They easily moved into the lead with a time of 37.932 seconds, but would only hold the top spot for a few moments.
Goetzmann's speedy mare Wrigley was in top form and easily sliced the sharp turns, clearing each obstacle. They galloped over the final oxer with the time in hand, crossing the finish line in 36.801 seconds.
"The plan was to have a fast and efficient jump off," explained Goetzmann. "However, I did not want to overdo anything or do any risky turns that can result in a fault or anything like that. Going in there I wanted to get the Devon blue, but I didn't want to get her too wound up. My mare is super great about the tight turns and the gallop. We caught every jump at a nice gallop and she jumped her heart out for me. She was awesome."
Eve Jobs and Sandor de la Pomme (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)
Jobs had one more chance to take the top spot with her second qualified mount Quickley 3, but in their effort to catch the time they lowered the height of the final oxer. They stopped the clock at 35.648 seconds, over a full second ahead of Goetzmann, but four faults would mean settling for fourth place. Goetzmann picked up the win, while Jobs and Sandor De La Pomme placed second. Dildabanian rounded out the top three aboard Catika Van De Helle.
"It's such an amazing feeling to walk into the ring, knowing you have an awesome horse under you," smiled Goetzmann. "I'm so grateful to have her as my horse. She always gives me the confidence to go in there and to win."
Madison Goetzmann and Wrigley (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)
Goetzmann is now focused on winning Saturday's main event, the $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic. On Sunday, the Pony Jumper division will take over the Dixon Oval. Later this week, the best in the country will compete in Thursday's $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*.
RESULTS: $3,750 Junior Jumpers
1 1107 WRIGLEY MADISON GOETZMANN 0 0 0 73.211 0 0 0 36.801
2 113 SANDOR DE LA POMME EVE JOBS 0 0 0 72.320 0 0 0 37.932
3 174 Catika Van De Helle FRANCESCA DILDABANIAN 0 0 0 71.835 0 0 0 42.636
4 112 QUICKLEY 3 EVE JOBS 0 0 0 67.127 4 0 4 35.648
5 1105 ALL IN KATHERINE STRAUSS 0 0 0 70.553 4 0 4 38.264
6 303 MTM ACE OF SPADES BRIAN MOGGRE 0 0 0 74.330 4 0 4 39.195
7 616 REMBRANDT EMILY PEREZ 0 0 0 72.065 4 0 4 41.018
8 620 DOUBLE PLAY DAISY FARISH 0 0 0 72.541 4 0 4 41.265
Sweet Briar College Joins Presenting Sponsors for Junior Jumper Presentation (Rebecca Walton/PhelpsSports.com)
The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair welcomed special guests on Friday night, the alumni and students from Sweet Briar College in Sweet Briar, Va. More than 100 alumni and prospective students from the region attended the show after receiving an invitation from Wayne W. Grafton, Chairman of the Devon Horse Show.
"Last fall we came here for an event and had a great weekend," said Phillip Stone, President of Sweet Briar College. "Wayne told us about the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair and asked us if we would be interested in coming here for an event during the show. We knew the reputation of this event so we jumped at it. This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event."
Grafton also knew the reputation of Sweet Briar College and became inspired by them. Last March the board decided to close the school after 114 years. The Alumni stepped up and raised $28.5 million in 100 days to save the college. Mr. Grafton heard about their herculean effort and wanted to form a partnership.
"The Devon Horse Show is so grateful to be in a partnership with Sweet Briar College," said Grafton. "After listening to what they have done they inspired me to move forward with all of the improvements here. They are the stars."
In its first year back, Sweet Briar College won the conference championship renewing the reputation that the college has long enjoyed.
"For generations our students have been winning equestrian titles across America and more than one-third of our students ride," said Mary Pope Hudson, Vice President of Alumni Relations and Development. "We are really fortunate to be here at Devon to launch a partnership with them."
Jaguar F-PACE crossover vehicle (Brenda Carpenter)
In 1947, the Devon Cottage was erected on the showgrounds and raffled off. Over the years, people have won cars, trips, furs, jewelry, TVs, champagne, Scotch, whiskey and more.
While much has changed with Devon raffles, their importance as a major part of the fair's fundraising for Bryn Mawr Hospital remains constant. This year's raffles are no less exciting, including the Derby car is the all-new Jaguar F-PACE crossover vehicle. The 2-year lease on Jaguar's new luxury performance SUV was donated to the Country Fair by Jaguar Land Rover Main Line.
"Devon is a fun and exciting event that we are really happy to be involved with and Bryn Mawr Hospital being the benefactor is just wonderful," said Michael Smyth, President of Jaguar Land Rover Main Line.
The car is not the only prize in the Devon Derby. Ticket buyers also have a chance to win an original leather belt designed by Pinnell Custom Leather, a man or woman's bicycle from Human Zoom, Bikes and Boards, two Phillies tickets donated by the D'Anjolell Memorial Homes. a $250 gift certificate to Capital Grille, donate by Capitol Grille in King of Prussia.
The Derby is also not the only raffle at Devon. You can also buy a chance for Operation Goldmine. This year, the prize is an 18kt white gold pendant set with an oval blue sapphire surrounded by a halo of classic diamonds. The simple elegance of this piece is classic and is valued at $8,000. A limited number of chances are available. The necklace was donated by Kellmer Jewelers of Haverford.
All prizes this year are donated and the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair appreciates the merchants who help make the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair a success every year.
The Devon Horse Show & Country Fair pledged $2 million over five years to Bryn Mawr Hospital's Capital Campaign to build a state of the art medical facility. In 2015, the second year of the pledge, the Country Fair gave a record $500,000. The Country Fair has donated more than $47 million to the hospital over the years.
Derby tickets sell for $2 each or $10 for a book of 6. You can buy them at the Derby table on the grounds. The winners will be chosen and announced Sunday, June 5. Operation Goldmine tickets cost $25 and can be bought at the Information Booth during the show. The Operation Goldmine winner will be chosen and announced Thursday, June 2. Ticket holders do not need to be present to win.