Historic Triumphs and Sweeping Victories Highlight the 2026 Devon Horse Show
Charlotte Jacobs and Korbach van de Renger soar to an unforgettable victory under the lights in the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon. (JW Photo for Phelps Sports/Phelps Media)
The 130th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair delivered an extraordinary week of elite equestrian competition, culminating in Charlotte Jacobs's emotional victory in the Sapphire Grand Prix, JJ Torano's dominant Junior Jumper sweep, and Shane Sweetnam's thrilling final-night win in the Idle Dice Open Stake.
Article by Alex Zimmerman, AKSM Sports
DEVON, Pa. - The 2026 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair brought together an exceptional field of elite athletes from across the globe for a week of world-class sport in the iconic Dixon Oval. In one of the most competitive Grand Prix events in the show's 130-year history, the USA’s Charlotte Jacobs aboard North Star’s Korbach van de Renger proved unbeatable to win the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon. As the second-to-last combination to return for the jump-off, Jacobs executed a smooth and efficient plan, delivering the fastest clear round of the eight pairs that advanced with a time of 32.77 seconds. Jacobs purchased the gelding at the end of his nine-year-old season and has since developed him into an international Grand Prix contender. “I tried him and just fell in love with him,” said Jacobs. “He had a lot of ability. He's super athletic and very, very careful.”
The victory carried special significance for Jacobs, who grew up competing at Devon and returned to the historic showgrounds with the goal of contending for the grand title. “The atmosphere at Devon is like nothing else. It's incredible. I showed here a lot as a junior, and last year was my first year back since 2013," she noted. "I came this week with horses that I thought would suit this ring, and I'm thrilled with the result.” Fellow American McKayla Langmeier finished second aboard Riesling van de Gaathoeve, stopping the clock in 33.49 seconds, while Olympian McLain Ward rounded out the top three aboard First Lady. “I was very proud of my horse,” said Langmeier. “He was there every stride with me today.” Ward echoed the sentiment of the venue's magic, stating, “I always love to come to Devon. The atmosphere here is as good as anywhere in the world. It always makes me feel very special to compete here.”
On the final night of competition, Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and Pegina VD Bisschop saved the best for last, capturing top honors in the $182,000 Idle Dice Open Jumper Stake. The track challenged competitors throughout the evening and ultimately produced six clear rounds to set up an exciting jump-off. Israel’s Daniel Bluman appeared poised for victory, holding both the first and second positions before the final ride. As the last pair to contest the tie-breaker, Sweetnam and Pegina VD Bisschop delivered a blazing performance, stopping the clock in 36.240 seconds to secure the victory. “I got to watch Daniel’s rounds and knew that I had to really go if I wanted to get him,” Sweetnam said of his jump-off strategy. The win was especially rewarding for Sweetnam, who had come close to claiming a major Devon victory in recent years. “I felt we were due a clear round, and it was great to get the win,” he said.
In the hunter rings, Amanda Prescott Steege and Cheryl Olsten’s Lafitte De Muze rose to the top of an elite field to win the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Steege and the 2011 Belgian Warmblood gelding delivered two polished performances over the historic Dixon Oval course, earning a first-round score of 194 and following it up with a handy score of 198.5 to secure the prestigious derby title with a combined total of 392.5. “There are a few bucket list classes left that I want him to win, and this was one of them,” said Steege. “This derby has never completely gone our way. I’ve gotten ribbons in it before, but never been at the top. So that was extra exciting.” Steege credited careful planning and her nine-year partnership with the horse for the win, adding, “We came here with a goal and a plan and tried to make the right decisions for him during the week in order to get the best result that I could today. It’s always nice when a plan comes together.”
The victory carried extra significance for Steege, whose family has deep ties to the Devon Horse Show. “Devon is obviously a special show for all of us, but my mom’s family grew up in Fort Washington and Blue Bell, so I have a picture of my great-grandfather showing here in 1913,” said Steege. “It is an extra special place for me and always on our schedule and a show that I don’t want to miss.”
The junior jumper divisions were defined by the sheer dominance of JJ Torano, who capped off his week by completing the coveted Devon Junior Jumper trifecta with a victory in the 1.45m Junior Jumper Show Jumping Hall of Fame Classic aboard Jet Show Stable’s Vitus K. “That one with Vitus was very special,” Torano said. “It’s been three years now. My first year here at Devon with Vitus, I jumped clear and had a time fault. Last year, I jumped clear, I was last to go in the jump-off, I had the fastest time and knocked the last jump down. So we really wanted this.”
Torano’s Devon week was marked by consistency and speed, executing a strategy perfectly tailored to the prestigious event. “John Brennan, one of my trainers at North Run, said the first day, ‘Go for it. We’re at Devon,’” Torano shared. “So that was the plan. Everybody was on the same page. Go for it every day. We’re at Devon.” Finishing the night in spectacular fashion, Torano earned the Devon Junior Jumper Championship aboard Lyon 50 and reserve honors with Vitus K, while also receiving the Leading Junior Jumper Rider Award and the Shalanno Style of Riding Award.
You can stream all past coverage of the 130th Devon Horse Show on USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The on-demand stream of Thursday evening’s Sapphire Grand Prix is now available on ClipMyHorse and the ESPN app, with a two hour special show on June 6th at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNews.