Your Guide to the Devon Horse Show's 43rd Sapphire Grand Prix

Alexandra "Ally" Worthington pats Del L’Oiseliere after finishing a clear round in the 2025 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon. (Hayden Sudall/AKSM Photography for AKSM Equestrian/AKSM Sports)

Tonight’s highly anticipated 2026 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon highlights the world-class show jumping competition expected at the historic Dixon Oval while honoring the legacy of the legendary Olympic mare for which the event is named.

Article by Alex Zimmerman, AKSM Sports

DEVON, Pa. - The roar of the crowd, the thundering hooves, and the electric atmosphere of the iconic Dixon Oval can mean only one thing: the Devon Horse Show is in full swing, and the crown jewel of the week is fast approaching. On Thursday night, May 28, 2026, the equestrian world will turn its eyes to Pennsylvania for the FEI $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon. As the historic show celebrates its 130th anniversary, this year's 43rd Grand Prix promises another unforgettable evening of world-class show jumping, pitting top international athletes against one another in a test of pure speed, power, and precision.

To understand the prestige of this Thursday night tradition, one must look at the legendary mare for whom the class is named. Sapphire, a chestnut Belgian Warmblood, was famously purchased untried and unvetted through a simple phone call by sponsor Harry Gill and rider McLain Ward. That leap of faith birthed one of the greatest partnerships in show jumping history. Sapphire was a marvel of instinct and athleticism, anchoring the United States team to two Olympic gold medals. She dominated the sport for nearly a decade and twice captured the Grand Prix of Devon. When it was time for the beloved mare to step away from the sport, she was fittingly retired right in the center of the Dixon Oval. Today, the Sapphire Grand Prix is more than just a competition; it is a living tribute to a horse that defied all expectations and captured the hearts of fans worldwide.

The legacy of the Sapphire Grand Prix is not only built on the memory of its namesake but also on the incredibly high caliber of sport it demands. Winning at Devon requires a horse with the bravery to handle an arena packed with enthusiastic, cheering fans who are practically sitting on the edge of the ring. It is a venue where pressure makes diamonds. The Celeste McNeal Harper Perpetual Trophy bears the names of the sport’s absolute elite who have managed to tune out the noise and execute flawless rounds over some of the most technical tracks on the North American circuit.

As the equine world looks ahead to the 2026 showdown, the competition is shaping up to be as fierce as ever. Defending champion Aaron Vale comes to mind as a formidable target, having thrilled the crowd last year by clinching the victory aboard Carissimo 25 as the final rider in the jump-off. With a blazing time of 33.7 seconds, Vale proved exactly what it takes to win under the Dixon Oval lights. This year, Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima will once again be tasked with building a track that tests the agility and scope of the world’s best. Riders will be hunting for a clear first round to guarantee a spot in the jump-off, where tight rollbacks and wide-open galloping lines will separate the good from the great.

Challenging Vale is a star-studded roster of international veterans and rising talents deeply woven into the fabric of Devon’s history. No rider commands the Dixon Oval quite like McLain Ward, the very man who piloted Sapphire to greatness. A six-time Olympic medalist and a perennial favorite in Pennsylvania, Ward’s legacy at Devon is unmatched. Having secured victories in nearly every major class this venue offers, including a memorable win in the 2025 Main Line Challenge, Ward approaches the 2026 Grand Prix with his signature blend of icy precision and blazing speed. The crowd always finds an extra decibel of volume when Ward enters the ring, fully aware they are watching one of the greatest show jumpers of all time looking to add yet another Devon title to his legendary resume. Ward, who most recently claimed a historic 12th victory in this event in 2022, will be riding First Lady. As a multi-time Olympic medalist who has practically owned the Dixon Oval for over two decades, Ward’s presence automatically sets the bar for the rest of the field.

Looking to defeat Ward’s reign is a formidable contingent of international show jumping heavyweights. Former world number one Kent Farrington will be piloting Casynna, bringing his blistering speed and precision to a venue where a fraction of a second can be the difference between victory and defeat. He is joined by fellow Olympic-caliber athletes such as Egypt's Nayel Nassar, riding the experienced Belgian Warmblood gelding Igor Van De Wittemoere, and Daniel Bluman, mounted on Kester De Nyze Z. The Bluman family will be well-represented under the lights, as Ilan Bluman is also slated to contest the track aboard Acajou.

The field highlights several riders with deep-rooted, long-standing connections to the Devon show grounds. Brian Moggre, who first tasted major Devon success by winning the Devon blue in the junior jumper ranks back in 2016, returns aboard his long-time partner MTM Vivre Le Reve. This is the very same horse that helped Moggre secure his career-first grand prix win at Live Oak International in 2019, making them a sentimental and highly dangerous pair. Similarly, Irish stars Shane Sweetnam on Pegina VD Bisschop and Christian Coyle on Ballyoskill Big Bucks bring immense international experience to the Dixon Oval, with both riders renowned for their ability to handle the intense, electric atmospheres that come with nighttime classes.

Rounding out this extraordinarily competitive roster are dynamic athletes eager to etch their names onto the Celeste McNeal Harper Perpetual Trophy. Spectators will watch Charlotte Jacobs riding Korbach Van De Renger, Raleigh Hiler aboard Obora's Chloe, and Tanner Korotkin with Kinmar Quality Hero. The depth of the start list continues with Hunter Holloway on Henry Jota Ariel, Sloane Coles with Ninja JW Van De Moerhoeve, Chloe Reid riding Crossover 4, Gracie Allen with Hadj Des Fontaines, and McKayla Langmeier aboard Riesling Van De Gaathoeve. Closing out the robust lineup, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania native Caitlyn Connors, who grew up with Devon in her backyard, takes the reins of Quinto De Obernai, Charlotte Murray will pilot Magnum Z, Spencer Smith mounts Keeneland, Roberto Teran Tafur competes on DSP Callas, and Samantha Schaefer finalizes the list on James Bond HX.

Before the first horse enters the ring on Thursday, the evening will be set by the traditional presentation of colors by the Philadelphia Police Mounted Unit, grounding the night in the rich community history that Devon has cultivated since 1896. From the packed wooden blue grandstands to the scent of the nearby country fair, there is truly nothing in equestrian sports quite like it. Whether you are a lifelong show jumping aficionado or a casual sports fan drawn in by the thrill, Thursday night at Devon is a spectacle of heart, history, and unparalleled athletic excellence that simply cannot be missed.

You can stream tonight’s $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon at 7:30 PM EDT live on ESPN and the USEF Network, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The on-demand stream will be available on ClipMyHorse and the ESPN app the following day, with a two hour special show on June 6th at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNews.