Charlotte Jacobs and Korbach van de Renger Claim the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon
Charlotte Jacobs and Korbach van de Renger clear a massive obstacle on their way to winning the 2026 $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon under the lights at the historic Dixon Oval. (JW Photo for Phelps Sports/Phelps Media)
In a thrilling jump-off under the lights of the iconic Dixon Oval, USA's Charlotte Jacobs bested a star-studded international field to win the 130th anniversary Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon.
Article by Alex Zimmerman, AKSM Sports
DEVON, Pa. - The historic atmosphere of the iconic Dixon Oval set the stage for an unforgettable Thursday night as the Devon Horse Show celebrated its 130th anniversary. On Thursday night, the equestrian world once again turned its eyes to Pennsylvania for the 43rd running of the $210,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon, where a star-studded roster of international veterans and rising talents clashed in a test of pure speed, power, and precision. In the end, it was the United States’ own Charlotte Jacobs who proved unbeatable aboard North Star's Korbach van de Renger, capturing the prestigious Celeste McNeal Harper Perpetual Trophy and writing her name into Devon history.
Returning as the second-to-last combination in the jump-off, Jacobs executed a brilliant and highly efficient plan over the track built by Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima. The pair delivered a blistering clear round in 32.77 seconds, securing the victory and earning Jacobs the Richard E. McDevitt Style Award. Jacobs purchased the 2015 KWPN gelding at the end of his nine-year-old season and has carefully developed him into a top-tier international competitor. "I tried him and just fell in love with him," Jacobs said of her winning mount. "He had a lot of ability. He's super athletic and very, very careful."
For Jacobs, the victory carried a surreal, hometown-feeling resonance. Having grown up competing in the very same ring, the win marked a beautiful full-circle moment in her career. "The atmosphere at Devon is like nothing else. It's incredible," Jacobs explained. "I showed here a lot as a junior, and last year was my first year back since 2013. I came this week with horses that I thought would suit this ring, and I'm thrilled with the result."
Close behind Jacobs was fellow American McKayla Langmeier, who finished second aboard Rafferty Farm's Belgian Warmblood stallion Riesling van de Gaathoeve. Langmeier stopped the clock at 33.49 seconds, holding the lead until Jacobs’ final challenge. "I was very proud of my horse," Langmeier said. "He was there every stride with me today." Rounding out the top three was Olympic veteran McLain Ward aboard Robin Cleary Parsky's Oldenburg mare First Lady. Ward, a perennial crowd favorite, praised the historic venue. "I always love to come to Devon," Ward noted. "The atmosphere here is as good as anywhere in the world. It always makes me feel very special to compete here."
When comparing the 2026 Sapphire Grand Prix to previous years, a distinct changing of the guard alongside enduring legacies becomes deeply apparent. Over the last two decades, no rider has commanded the Dixon Oval quite like McLain Ward. Ward famously piloted the legendary mare Sapphire—the event's namesake—to greatness, anchoring the United States to two Olympic gold medals and dominating the sport for nearly a decade. Ward most recently claimed a historic twelfth victory in this event in 2022. While his presence automatically sets a daunting standard, recent years have proven that the door is open for a new era of champions. In 2025, Aaron Vale thrilled the crowd by clinching a dramatic victory aboard Carissimo 25 as the final rider in the jump-off with a blazing time of 33.7 seconds. Now, in 2026, Jacobs’ 32.77-second triumph highlights the fierce depth and increasing speed of modern show jumping, demonstrating how junior competitors from Devon's past are ascending to conquer the sport's most seasoned veterans on increasingly technical tracks.
As the Devon Horse Show rings in its 130th year, the event remains a living tribute to the horses and riders who defy expectations. Between the packed wooden blue grandstands and the rich community history cultivated since 1896, the 2026 Grand Prix provided another dazzling chapter in one of the most prestigious and challenging competitions on the North American circuit.
The on-demand stream of tonight’s Sapphire Grand Prix will be available on ClipMyHorse and the ESPN app the tomorrow, with a two hour special show on June 6th at 9 a.m. ET on ESPNews.