Bluman, French, Haness, Metzner Among Stars of Day Seven at the 2025 Devon Horse Show
Daniel Bluman, riding for Israel, on Gemma W, take a victory lap around the historic Dixon Oval after winning The $38,700 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography for AKSM Equestrian/AKSM Sports)
Legendary riders and international competitors headlined the seventh day of the 2025 Devon Horse Show, with champions crowned across Green Hunter divisions, FEI jumpers making their debut, and elegant carriage driving closing out the day.
Article by Maddie Tyler, AKSM Sports
DEVON, Pa. - Tuesday marked a milestone in the 129th edition of the Devon Horse Show & Country Fair, with elite athletes across hunter, jumper, and driving divisions stepping into the iconic Dixon Oval for an action-packed seventh day of competition.
Kicking off Professional Hunter Week, three Green Hunter division champions were crowned. Leading the way was Kaiden, ridden by seasoned professional John French and owned by Little Brook LLC, who earned the Green 3’6″ Hunter Championship and the James J. Piehler Memorial Challenge Trophy.
“It’s always special to win at Devon,” said French, who is no stranger to the winner’s circle here.
The Green Conformation Hunter Championship went to Odette, a refined entry owned by John & Stephanie Ingram, LLC and piloted by Nick Haness, who took home the Just For Fun – Two For One Challenge Trophy. Haness, continuing his standout season, delivered consistent rounds that impressed the judges and spectators alike.
Wrapping up the morning session was Saint, a powerful Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by Davlyn Farms and ridden by Tara Metzner, who captured the Green 3’9″ Hunter Championship and the Fischer & Son Co. Challenge Trophy.
As night fell, international jumpers took the stage for the first FEI competition of the show. The $38,700 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake, presented by Meridian Bank, featured a field of 43 top horse-and-rider pairs representing six countries. Daniel Bluman, riding for Israel, secured the victory aboard Gemma W, a 14-year-old mare owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, with a blazing clear round in 56.21 seconds. Their performance earned them the Sylvester L. Quigley Memorial Challenge Trophy.
“I think the atmosphere is lovely,” said Bluman. “This kind of tradition and crowd energy is what keeps our sport alive. It’s an honor to compete here.”
Beyond the hunters and jumpers, the pageantry of Devon's driving divisions returned to the Dixon Oval. Misdee Wrigley Miller and her Park Drag carriage earned the Coaching Pleasure title and the Fifth Collins Perpetual Trophy, while Allen Tucci and his Road Coach won the Coach Horn Competition, taking home the Pamela M. Marshall Perpetual Trophy.
Closing the day’s competition was the Single Horse Driving Championship, where Susan Vaill and her Dutch Harness horse Brutus took the 2025 title in style.
As Professional Hunter Week continues and FEI action heats up, Tuesday's highlights showcased why Devon remains one of the most prestigious and beloved shows on the international equestrian calendar.
The annual headlining show is not the last show for the year; competition returns to the Devon showgrounds on September 11th for the Fall Classic which runs through September 14th as well as Dressage at Devon from September 23rd to September 28th. Tickets are still available for the show’s 129th run - which ends next Sunday, June 1st - at devonhorseshow.net.