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Devon Horse Show And Country Fair Preview

Devon Horse Show
Photo Credit: devonhorseshow.net

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair
23 Dorset Rd.
Devon, PA 19333
(610) 688-2554
tickets@devonhorseshow.org
www.devonhorseshow.net

Hours: May 24 to June 3 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. except May 27 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $10 adults/$5 seniors and children ages 3 to 12/free children younger than 2. Does not include Covered Grandstand Seating – $12 to $55 according to performance.
Click here for a schedule of events.

Whether you are an avid equestrian or simply an animal lover looking for an outing, the 2012 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair promises more than a week of horse-filled fun for the whole family. Since its inception in 1896 as a one-day breeding and horsemanship event, the Devon Horse Show has grown to become the largest and oldest outdoor, multi-breed equestrian competition in the country. Visitors from around the globe come to this Philadelphia Main Line, time-honored institution to compete, view exhibitions and to enjoy friends, food and fun. The exciting event will team up with the Devon Country Fair to raise funds for the Bryn Mawr Hospital. Don't horse around, mark your calendars for some exciting not-to-miss attractions.


Related: Philadelphia's Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

Devon Horse Show Family
Photo Credit: devonhorsehow.com

Family Day
s
Country Fair area

Hours: May 24, May 29, June 3
Price: $10 adults/$5 seniors/free for children younger than 12

Pack up the car and bring the kids for three great days of special family fun. Each family day will hold a host of attractions including discounts and deals at the fair, food courts, souvenir shops and the Midway. Afternoon guided back barn tours are set for May 29. Kids will find plenty of action with a wealth of activities, including crafts and displays, in the fair area June 3. Don't miss the pony rides on that date as well.

Lizzy Traband 
Dixon Oval

Hours: May 25 – 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; May 26 – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; May 27 – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Price: reserved grandstand seating May 25 – $15; May 26 – $18; May 27 – $15

Born without a left forearm, 13-year-old Lizzy Traband is sure to inspire, educate and entertain horse lovers of all ages. The young horsewoman has performed at the World Equestrian Games as well as at a number of expositions. She does triple duty as a trainer, performer and competitor. Traband will make three appearances at the Devon Horse Show this year, so don't miss this amazing horse and pony rider.

Devon Horse Doggie Parade
Photo Credit: devonhorseshow.net

Devon Doggie Parade
Dixon Oval

Hours: May 28 – 1 p.m.
Price: $10 adults/$5 seniors and children age 3 to 12/ free children under age 2/$20 per pup registration

In addition to exciting equestrian action, the country fair portion of the Devon event has plenty of activities for foodies, fashionistas, dogs and divas. Area pooches participating in the Devon Doggie Parade will strut their stuff in two amusing categories: Devon Doggie Fashionista and Human Companion/Doggie Look Alike. Three top dogs in each category will win a trophy, ribbon, signed book and gift certificates. This year, the canine competition will take center stage at the Dixon Oval.

Devon Horse Grand Prix
Photo Credit:

Grand Prix 
Dixon Oval

Hours: May 31 – 7:15 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: reserved grandstand seating $55

Expect a packed grandstand as the top horse and rider combinations compete in the Devon Grand Prix. Typically the largest attraction at the Devon Horse Show, this high-stakes event is so popular that tickets sell out weeks before the show even opens. That's no surprise, as horses must undergo a grueling year-long qualifying process to compete in this Wells Fargo-sponsored tradition. In fact, the Devon Grand Prix is a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team. Each horse jumps a course of 10 to 16 obstacles, with heights up to 5 feet 3 inches and spreads of up to 6.5 feet.

Devon Horse Carriage Racing
Photo Credit:

Arena Carriage Racing 
Dixon Oval

Hours: June 1 – 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.;  June 2 – 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Price: reserved grandstand seating June 1 – $25/June 2 – $35

Look for more big crowds during Arena Carriage Racing, the equestrian version of an all-out Olympic bobsled event. Participants race against the clock in steel marathon carriages imported from Europe, as crowds go wild. Each vehicle is equipped with special harnesses to guide the team of horses through an intricate series of gates and hazards. Drivers sit up front to control the reins while back seat navigators yell instructions and shift their weight to counterbalance the turns, thrilling the fans by nearly falling off the wagons constantly. 

Related: Best Rainy Day Fun In The Philadelphia Area

Where To Stay
General Warren Inne
9 Old Lancaster Rd.
Malvern, PA 19355
(610) 296-3637
www.generalwarren.com

Hours: check-in after 2 p.m.
Price: $135 to $225 per night

Just beyond Devon in Malvern, the historic General Warren Inne is home to eight elegant guest suites, a tavern and a restaurant serving continental cuisine. The rooms have been authentically restored to their 18th-century glory with antique beds, colorful quilts and period artwork. The past meets the present with private bathrooms, high-speed Internet access and cable television. As an added bonus, a complimentary continental breakfast is served daily.

Alpenhof Bed & Breakfast
2001 N. Ridley Creek Rd.
Media, PA 19063
(610) 891-8222
www.alpenhofbedandbreakfast.com

Hours: check-in after 3 p.m.
Price: $110 to $225 per night/$25 per dog

Alpendorf is a beautiful natural stone bed and breakfast inn located just seven miles from the horse show and country fair. The establishment offers five rooms in the main house and a stand-alone cottage that welcomes small- to medium-size dogs. Deluxe bedding, antique furnishings, oriental rugs, wide-screen televisions and Internet access are just some of the amenities. A complimentary full breakfast with everything from bacon and blueberry pancakes to sausages and stuffed berry crepes will make your mouth water.

Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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