McKayla Langmeier’s Triumphant Return Highlights a Day of Champions at the 130th Devon Horse Show

McKayla Langmeier and Pepita VD Rollebeek navigate Colm Quinn's opening track on their way to securing the blue cooler and winning the $32,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake. (Photo courtesy of Phelps Sports/Phelps Media)

As Professional Hunter Week crowned its first champions in the Dixon Oval, McKayla Langmeier marked her return to the Devon Horse Show by riding Pepita VD Rollebeek to a thrilling victory in the $32,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake.

Article by Alex Zimmerman, AKSM Sports

DEVON, Pa. - The 130th Devon Horse Show & Country Fair brought top-tier equestrian talent to the historic Dixon Oval on Tuesday, showcasing a day of spectacular victories that included the crowning of the Green Hunter champions and a thrilling win in the evening’s $32,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake.

The morning welcomed the first round of Professional Hunter Week champions to the winner's circle. In the Green Hunter 3'6" division, Stephanie Danhakl’s horse, Cadet, ridden by Scott H. Stewart, captured the championship. Earning a total of 30 points over two days of competition and winning two of the four over-fences classes, the pair secured the title sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker and The James J. Piehler Memorial Challenge.

The Green Conformation Hunter Championship was dominated by Lynn Olson’s In The End, piloted by Victoria Colvin. The duo completed a clean sweep over fences, finishing with an impressive 49 points across two days to take home The Just for Fun–Two for One Challenge Trophy, sponsored by the Danhakl Family Foundation. Meanwhile, in the Green Hunter 3'9" division, Jennifer Hannan rode Rindy Dominguez’s Lyrical to victory. They earned 28 total points to claim the championship, which was sponsored by Penn Beer, and secured The Fisher and Son Co. Challenge Trophy.

As the sun set, the excitement shifted to the international show jumpers making their 2026 Devon debut. McKayla Langmeier, representing the United States, rode to a spectacular victory in the $32,000 Jet Run Devon Welcome Stake, sponsored by Frank DiBella Deluxe Horse Vans. Aboard Pepita VD Rollebeek, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Rafferty Farm, Langmeier navigated the technical opening track set by Irish FEI Level III course designer Colm Quinn with flawless speed and precision.

Langmeier and Pepita VD Rollebeek delivered the fastest clear performance of the night against a competitive field of 37 international horse-and-rider combinations, stopping the clock at a blazing 57.34 seconds to win The Sylvester L. Quigley Memorial Challenge Trophy. “I thought it was an excellent first course," Langmeier said. "The plan with Pepita today was really to go out there and try to go for the win, and thankfully, it happened.”

The victory was a deeply special homecoming for Langmeier, who had not competed at the venue in eight years. “This is my first time competing during senior week," Langmeier shared. "I used to come every year when I was a junior, and I haven’t been back since I aged out.” Capping off a highly successful return to Devon as a senior competitor, she reflected on the momentous win. “It feels amazing. It was really cool to have the blue cooler on my horse and to bring it back to the stable.”

You can stream all live and past coverage of the 130th Devon Horse Show on USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.