Campbell Clinches Speed Derby Victory on Day Ten of Devon Horse Show
Dr. Piper Klemm and MTM Sandwich compete in the $3,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3 Over 35 O/F event in Devon’s historic Wheeler Ring on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Andrew McKeough/AKSM Photography for AKSM Equestrian/AKSM Sports)
Kaitlin Campbell triumphed in the $38,700 Devon Speed Derby on day ten of the 2025 Devon Horse Show, while traditional breed and carriage champions celebrated victories in a day blending high-speed sport with timeless equestrian elegance.
Article by Maddie Tyler, AKSM Sports
DEVON, Pa. — The 129th Devon Horse Show & Country Fair roared into its tenth day with a thrilling mix of tradition and speed, as both elite FEI jumpers and champion breed competitors took center stage. The Friday evening highlight was the $38,700 Devon Speed Derby, sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover Main Line, where U.S. rider Kaitlin Campbell and Bull Run’s Hesed stole the spotlight with a lightning-fast round that couldn’t be matched.
Coming off the intensity of Thursday’s $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix, international contenders were eager for redemption. Anderson Lima’s dynamic 15-obstacle course spanned both the iconic Dixon Oval and Wheeler Ring, offering a uniquely Devon test of agility and nerve.
McLain Ward, the legendary Olympian, set the pace early with a strong round aboard Marta Mattox’s La Serra, finishing in 76.91 seconds. But Campbell, third in the order, had other plans. Riding Mirasol Equestrian’s Bull Run’s Hesed, she powered through the course in a blistering 75.18 seconds.
“My plan was literally just to go as fast as possible,” Campbell said after her round. “He doesn’t waste time in the air, and when I let him rip, he usually leaves everything up. This was his grand finale for the week, and he delivered.”
Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Epona DVE rounded out the top three with a clean and smooth round, stopping the clock at 77.54 seconds.
Devon Speed Derby Results
Winner: Kaitlin Campbell (USA) & Bull Run’s Hesed
Owner: Mirasol Equestrian, LLC
Winning Time: 75.18 seconds
Trophy: The Salem Perpetual Trophy
Beyond the speed and spectacle of the jumpers, the day was rich in equestrian heritage as breed divisions crowned their champions. From regal Hackneys to elegant roadsters, the Dixon Oval transformed into a celebration of carriage and classic breed excellence.
The Coaching Championship, one of Devon’s most prestigious events, was won by Misdee Wrigley-Miller of Paris, Kentucky. Driving her restored 1898 Park Drag, Wrigley-Miller earned her third Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Foster Bright Perpetual Trophy in recent years, having previously won in 2018 and 2023. The historic coach, originally owned by Sir Leonard Powell, took nearly two years to restore and is a crown jewel of the traditional carriage classes.
Other Friday Champions Included:
Saddlebred Show Pleasure Driving Championship: Nutoriously Innocent and Cora Wilder for owner Janet Beardsley-Blanco
Opportunity Open Breed Pleasure Driving Champion: MSHS Charming and Mary Reams for owner Whitney Hunter
Western Country Pleasure Champion: Ro & Me’s Alla Kazam, ridden by Caroline Davis for owner Jane Frisch
As Devon rolls into the weekend, excitement builds for Saturday’s Devon Derby drawing. Attendees can purchase a $10 book at the fairgrounds for a chance to win a two-year lease on a 2025 Defender, donated by Jaguar Land Rover Main Line. Proceeds benefit Bryn Mawr Hospital, furthering Devon’s long-standing commitment to community and care. With just a few days remaining, the 2025 Devon Horse Show promises more unforgettable moments as horses, riders, and tradition take center stage. 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 this Sunday, June 1st - at devonhorseshow.net.