Devon Kicks off Junior Week with a Showcase of Young Talent
Reese Merna and Castlefield Spartacus exit the historic Dixon Oval after winning blue in Section C of the 2024 WIHS Equitation Classic at Devon (Hayden Sudall/AKSM Photography for AKSM Equestrian/AKSM Sports).
Highlights of the week included stellar performances by Taylor Cawley and Reese Merna.
Article by Andrew McKeough, Chief Producer
DEVON, Pa. - As tradition, the first week of competition at Devon starts with the junior divisions; which are made up of young riders under the age of eighteen. This week at Devon provides a launchpad for the careers of riders from across the world who set their sights on a lasting career in equestrian showing. Violet Rheingold - from Boulder, Colorado - took the blue in the Junior Hunter 3’3” division. “I am still in shock. This is outside of my dreams,” stated Rheingold after winning her first Championship title during her second appearance at Devon, “I wasn't really expecting this.” It’s the same sentiment heard from a lot of first time champions during Devon.
The week was dominated by the exceptional riding talents of Taylor Cawley riding Oki D ‘Eclipse sweeping victories in Thursday’s lineup of classes including the WIHS Equitation Classic - which featured 110 riders facing off in the historic Dixon Oval - as well as the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. Friday’s beautiful weather brought out the best of Reese Merna on Castlefield Spartacus as she swept the R.W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship High Point Award. Merna - who took blue in one of the sections of Thursday’s WIHS Equitation Classic - has been riding Spartacus since November of 2023 and says that winning the Championship Award is “[...] really special. I've looked up to a lot of the riders that have won it before me and competing against so many incredible riders. It's a real honor.” Both Cawley and Merna are trained by Stacia Madden.
As a Main Line tradition, the show is the oldest multi breed outdoor show in North America, Devon’s long-standing placement of one of the most prestigious horse shows in the world comes from its legacy of honoring and championing top tier olympic-level talent since its inception in 1896.
The excitement of junior week continues through the Memorial Day weekend with horse hunt teams, the NAL Children’s Jumper Classic, WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase and more.
Not only does this year’s annual show highlight the extreme high-level of competition that Devon brings to its historic showgrounds, but also continues a tradition of bringing the local Main Line community together. Sponsored by fifty-six businesses, this year’s show brought out fifty-nine local vendors for dining and boutique shopping while the midway provided thrills for the younger crowd. Clydesdale Corner keeps the excitement of the show going long after the competition ends for the evening. Show photography is provided by Brenda Carpenter Photography, Emily Bevan and KIND Media.
The annual headlining show is not the last show for the year; competition returns to the Devon showgrounds on September 12th for the Fall Classic which runs through September 15th as well as Dressage at Devon from September 24 to September 29th. Tickets are still available for the show’s 128th run - which ends next Sunday, June 2nd - at devonhorseshow.net.