Skip to content

Full of Charm...Devon Horse Show and County Fair



DEVON, PA - The 106th Devon Horse Show and County Fair was held Thursday, May 23 through Saturday, June 1, 2002, with Saddle Horse classes beginning on Tuesday May 28. With 39 divisions, 233 classes, and 2,500 horses entered, Devon is no small function. James Nichols took over the judging duties for the Saddlebreds and Hackney Ponies. One can enjoy the athleticism of the Hunter/Jumpers, the elegance of the Carriage horses, or the intense competition between world champion Saddlebreds and Hackney Ponies.

The show and the grounds look like they were torn right from the pages of a storybook. Devon is not merely a horse show, but an event. Being one of the most prestigious and well-known outdoor horse shows around the country, Devon has so many qualities that seem to be overlooked. It is better to show in front of a crowd, as our horses are show horses and many feed on a large crowd. The Devon audience is large, appreciative, and attentive. Stabling is ever so important and Devon has many different barns totaling 862 permanent stalls and is remodeling some along the way.

This event is filled with dozens of things to do for the average spectator or exhibitor. From boutique shopping right on the grounds, to midway rides and games, to fine food and talented horses, one can always find something interesting to do at Devon.

Several special exhibitions highlighted the show this year. Carriage Racing, Arabian Costume, as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales were among those meant to entertain the large crowds.

The schedule stays pretty much on task, which makes for some down time to rest or enjoy the grounds and the many things to do. Not many shows project the exact time you will hit the ring in a written schedule for the whole week.Not to mention the fact that the Devon personnel seem to be willing to listen and help when ever they can. When people talk about wanting to go to a "different show" - devon can be and has been that show for many around the country. This year, horses arrived on vans coming as far as Texas and the Midwest states.

So why, with a venue like that, is this show faced with the possibility of eliminating the Saddlebred classes due to lack of entries? It is an outdoor show, so the weather can be blamed, but it can be bad at any outdoor show, as easily as it can be glorious. This year was a bit warm with the occasional rain, but nothing that outweighed the overall beautiful conditions exhibitors and spectators enjoyed this year. So what are the answers to a dilemma like this?

It is hoped that this delightful show finds the support and entries it needs in the years to come. Here’s a snap shot of this year's top contenders.

The Five Gaited Championship and qualifier victories went to a talented, Tigerlee ridden by Dena Lopez for Walt & Jackie Stred, who has certainly stepped up to the plate this year, looking much matured over the winter months.

In the amateur qualifier, it was the well-known, CH Wild Eyed & Wicked with the gutsy Sally Jackson aboard to steel away with the blue. The mare/gelding ladies to ride class saw Misdee Wrigley adding to the Kalarama banner taking the win aboard Callaway’s Independence Day for KAABA, Inc. Wrigley then was back in the winner's circle with Callaway's Independence Day once again, for the amateur championship.

This same extremely multi-talented woman also guided the winning team in the Four-In-Hand Amateur To Drive qualifier and then took the tricolor in the Coaching Championship. A division that she just started three short years ago. She and her partner Mark have put together and delivered some stellar performances.

The Three Gaited Championship and qualifier saw the high stepping and elegant, CH Radiant Success and Dena Lopez in the winner's circle both times for happy owners, Walt and Jackie Stred.

The amateur stake was gifted with the CH Winter Day traveling trophy donated and presented by Walter and Jackie Stred. This year’s winner in both the stake and qualifier was the personable, CH Mr. Snuffleupagus ridden by owner, Doreen Weston.

The mare/gelding Lady to Ride division saw Eloquent and Diana Ventre for the silver for owner, Martin Venture. One single entry graced the ring in the junior/novice horse class. Casindra's Fair Lady and Phyllis Ann Zuber took the blue for Lisa J. Hafner of Lehighton, PA.

The Revelation Farms made their presence know at this Devon. The junior exhibitor qualifier blue was won by Sultan's Sundance Kid and Tara Grom for Kim Grom. To take the qualifier in the championship was Callaway's Show Me When, this time with sister, Kaitlyn Grom in the stirrups for the win.

The Three Gaited Park Championship tricolor and qualifier blue were awarded to Dances On Air and Jan Lukens, for Misty Hills Farms, LLC. The amateur championship and qualifier went to Jackie Stred and her grand campaigner, CH Quite A Guy, who graced the winner’s circle, adding two winning ribbons to the Double D banner.

The Devon crowd was treated to a thrill, by the name of Callaway’s’ Copyright, who came in to swoop up the Open Fine Harness Championship and qualifier with John T. Jones at the lines for Fox Grape Farm, the crowd showing their appreciation the whole time.

Mrs. Alan Robson graciously showed many of her fine stock at Devon as it is practically right in her backyard. She and her entries claimed four tricolors on Saturday night with the Fine Harness Amateur Championship being one of them with the elegant, CH Lesley Anne. My Special Dream and Judy K. Heinbach took home the blue in the amateur qualifier.

The junior stake held one entry, Miz Ann Emily and Desiree DeVries, were in to take the tricolor. The three-year-old division saw the extremely talented, Catastrophic with Dena Lopez at the whip for LCC Enterprises.

Five Gaited Show Pleasure Championship and qualifier were taken by CH Callaway’s News Flash and Karen Christman.

The show pleasure division was the largest division at the show. And, the trip from Texas was worth it for Stephanie Ritter and Supreme Wind Dancer who took the qualifier and championship. After trainer Patty Milligan pinned on the tricolor, they looked fabulous in their victory pass with the late evening warm sun ushering them out the gate. The junior exhibitor win in this division went to Lover's Heir and Cassi Wentz.

The Show Pleasure Driving top contender in the qualifier and championship was Lisa Gumenick and Shamanic Dream. In fact, Gumenick had a monopoly on the pleasure driving championships as she also won the Country Pleasure Driving Championship and qualifier with Rockin the Blues.

The Country Pleasure qualifier and championship top honor went to CH Kiss for Luck and Margaret Eliz Biggs. For the junior exhibitor win, it was SS Inner Vision and Tiana Tapper for Tom Wentz.

Once again, showing her versatility, Misdee Wrigley and Guess Who sped away with the Road Horse Amateur To Drive Grand Champion title and qualifier blue.

The pony competition was big at Devon. Gib Marcucci brought Mrs. Alan Robson's winning string to pick up several titles. The Amateur Hackney/Harness Pony Championship as well as the Hackney/Harness Pony, Mare/Gelding - Lady To Drive went to Windstar’s Eclipse and Mrs. Alan R. Robson. Then it was on to the Hackney Pony - Lady To Drive and Heartland Triumphant King with Mrs. Alan R. Robson at the lines for that win as well. The Hackney/Harness Pony Championship and qualifier wins went to the impressive, Impress My Daddy. Mrs. Robson wasn't finished quite yet though, taking the Hackney Pony Championship tricolor behind Heartland Triumphant King.

Heartland Hackney brought Jackie Stred's Heartland’s Rain Song to win the Hackney Pony - Amateur To Drive qualifier and championship. The Stred's new entry, Heartland Special Special with Beth Campbell at the lines made quite the performance for the UPHA Junior Hackney/Harness Pony Classic win.

Heartland Newsmaker for Darrel Kolkman Hackney pony classic While Campbell drove Jackie Stred’s Junior Harness pony UPHA winner Heartland Special Special.

Heartland Newsmaker and Beth Campbell were the single entry in the UPHA Junior Hackney Pony Classic for owner, Darrel Kolkman.

Bent Tree Farms made several victory passes. In the Single Hackney Horse - Lady To Drive qualifier as well as the hackney horse championship, it was Heartland Blizzard for year number two with Karen Waldron at the lines.

Vindicator and Karen Waldron were the single, but delightful entry in the Hackney/Harness Pony, Amateur To Drive for Bent Tree Farm Ltd.

Frickey Farms came to show their ponies and Friesians and enjoy the Devon Aviance. Classical Dancer and Ed Frickey were the ones to beat in the Hackney Pony Open blue for Frickey Farm, Inc. Late-Nites Midnite Mist and Ed Frickey made a good go for the Hackney/Harness Pony Limit blue.

Karen Frickey drove the top pleasure pony, High Life Pride to the championship and qualifier wins.

Cowboy Magic and Ed Frickey took the silver in the Single Roadster Pony Amateur to Drive qualifier and championship.

Dreams & Schemes with Yianni Barakos at the whip made a speedy go for the Single Roadster Pony Open win. Then, it was Seamair Strutter and Josh Greer in for the championship tricolor. The amateur championship saw Sweet Impression and owner/driver Lisa A. Gumenick for the tricolor.

In the UPHA Junior Roadster Pony Classic, it was Dun Haven Highly Impressive and Rodney Hicks for the blue for owner, Alan Nath. Hicks also took the blue in the Hackney Pony Limit with Romeo's Warrior LF for owner, Marjorie Kenney.

Topline Santara and Ronda L. Palmer took home top honors in the Single Hackney Horse Open class. In the amateur division, it was Peak Surprise and Karen Weaver for the blue for Robert A. Weaver.

The Friesian competition is on an up-rise in the Saddlebred industry. Misdee Wrigley led Peter's Phaeton By Brewster to the Friesian Pair Horses - Pleasure Turn-Out to the blue. In the Friesian Horse Under Saddle competition, it was Abe and Karen Frickey to take the silver for Karen & Ed Frickey.

More Stories

  • Letter To The Editor

    Dear Kentucky State Fair Board,

    My name is Melissa Moore; I am an American Saddlebred, Hackney and Roadster horse trainer. I am a second generation horse trainer whose family is deeply immersed in this equine industry and has been for over 75 years.  

    Read More
  • UPHA Office Moving

    UPHA is relocating to a new address. Kindly update your records with our new location. The postal address is P.O. Box 3728, Midway, KY 40347 and the physical address is 123 East Main St, Midway, KY 40347. Read More
  • From the Desk of Edward R. “Hoppy” Bennett

    Dear Members of The American Saddlebred Community, 

    As predicted, we have received pushback from various members of the Saddlebred industry, namely the American Saddlebred Horse & Breeders Association (ASHBA).  When we made our decision to replace the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) with Equine Sports Council (ESC), we were aware of and discussed this pushback and moved forward with the changes, knowingly.

    Read More
  • River Ridge Is USEF Lite Rated

    Barbara Dunham, manager of the River Ridge Charity Horse Show, announced that the show has been granted USEF Lite status for its April 24-27 event at the Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    In response to recent developments surrounding the World's Championship Horse Show (WCHS), the American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated webpage to serve as a news hub for its members. This webpage will provide timely updates and information as the situation evolves. Read More
  • Morgan Grand National Update On New Coliseum

    The Grand National & World Championship Morgan Horse Show is one step closer to the beginning of a new era as progress on the new state-of-the-art coliseum in Oklahoma City continues on schedule. Read More
  • Update On Citrus Cup Regional - New Venue and Dates For 2024

    Join in for fun in the sun at Citrus Cup at its new location, the fabulous World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida, on April 24-27, 2024. Fay Lowry will be judging all main ring classes. The new revised class schedule includes classes for Morgans, Saddlebreds, Hackney, Harness Pony, Open breed, carriage, ranch riding, and dressage divisions. Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    Many of you received an email today from David Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, that indicates a decision has already been made by the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) to change the governance of the World's Championship Horse Show from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) is extending the National and National Amateur Futurity weanling nomination deadline until May 1, 2024... Read More
  • ASHBA Special Release

    The American Saddlebred Horse and Breeders Association (ASHBA) has given the Kentucky State Fair Board (KSFB) notice to terminate its 1995 agreement with the KSFB to provide support to the World’s Championship Horse Show (WCHS). The termination notice was hand delivered to the KSFB on Friday, March 15. Read More