It took me two years to figure out Rolex! What are some tips that will make the learning curve smaller? What are your favorite things to do at Devon? What’s the food situation like? My friend has celiac so thinking I’d pack dinner for the evening show with some wine? What’s the shopping like? Can you walk through the barns? What if it rains? How’s the parking and what are the seats like? Which days are better?
All the tips!
Thanks!!!
I’ll try to answer your questions in the order they are asked. The food is quite good. There is the typical horse show type food with burgers and fries, but there is also sausage and peppers, and a cafeteria style caterer who does salads and soup and dinner entrees. There’s also The Pub where you can get wine by the glass or bottle, beer and cheese trays with cheese from a local establishment. Of course, a morning favorite is Firehouse Donuts and for a sweet treat there’s Bassetts Ice Cream and funnel cakes.
Shopping has about 60 vendors (most in quaint little shops). You will find equestrian apparel, saddlery, jewelry, pottery, Dark Horse Chocolates, custom boot makers, Dubarry of Ireland for weatherproof boots, Back on Track for therapeutic items for horse, dog and humans, and TheraPlate for horse therapy. For the doggie set, there’s Deer Valley Danes who have dog treats and the like, and Snugpups with cute dog coats. There’s also non-equestrian apparel too. Things that you might not expect are Renewal by Andersen (in case you need to replace your windows), Hoffman International Properties if you’re in need of a new home, and Bath Fitters if you want to upgrade your bath. Of course, you don’t want to miss the DAD Gift Shop with DAD logo products.m Really it’s the best shopping around.
As for walking through the barns, the breed barns are open during the breed division, the CDI barns are closed after the jog on Thursday per FEI regulations, but you could walk through the national show barns.
As for what if it rains? It’s more like WHEN it rains. The show still goes on. The grandstands (reserved seating) are covered, but it can still be a little uncomfortable if there is wind and rain. Hopefully this year will be drier. I think I can only remember 1 year where the performance show had to be rearranged due to rain. That was two years ago. There are a few benches along the rail of the Dixon Oval and over by the Gold ring that are not under cover.
Parking is difficult at best. This is a 15 acre show ground in the middle of a small city. If you get there early enough, there usually is parking in the main lot. If you try to come in after 5 on Saturday night that lot will be full.
Saturday is the big day with the GP Special and the GP Freestyle on Sat Night. There are musical freestyles on Sunday too and it’s less crowded. The general line up is Breed Division Tues, Wed, and Thursday morning, Performance starts Thursday afternoon and goes through Sunday. Classes generally start at 8:00AM and go into the evening. Saturday typically runs until about 11PM.
I hope I’ve captured the flavor of Dressage at Devon. I’m biased, but I think it’s the best dressage show there is especially considering the size and location of the property.
Thank you!!! This is perfect!
Lorik is definately biased but she’s right! There no other dressage show in this country with the same kind of atmosphere as Dressage at Devon. The parking is terrible and the weather might not be good but come prepared for rain, cold as well as hot and sunny. But you won’t remember any of that when you see the fabulous horses and riders under the lights in the Dixon Oval. It truly is magical.
I was there the year Neil Ishoy was showing. This was rare for him. Watching him ride a big grey, can’t remember the horse’s name, was mesmerizing.
The Devon train station is walkable from the show grounds, so it’s often easier to park at one of the other stations along the SEPTA Paoli-Thorndale line and take the train in. I think you have to pay to park during peak commuter hours (many Main Line residents use the line to commute to their jobs in Center City PHL), but I believe Saturday-Sunday you can park in the station lots without charge. Obviously the Devon station lot itself can be tricky during shows, but you could easily park in Berwyn, Paoli, Wayne, Radnor, or other surrounding stations and only have to take the train for one or two stops (we’re talking less than 15 minutes from train boarding to arrival).
The atmosphere is really special, but pack for all weather, including very cold, wet weather! I ended up buying a beautiful down coat at Devon last year because I was unprepared.
Dressage at Devon is amazing! If you stay at the Devon Courtyard, you can walk to the showgrounds. It is just a block or two. I am also a bit biased, but I would not miss Tues and Wed of the Breed Show. Sure wish I could go again! I really, really want to stock back up on Dressage at Devon shirts, etc. <sigh>
How we did it 6 years ago: fly to Philly, rent car, drive to Wayne hotel, drive to show grounds and park far away!
how I would do it today: fly to Philly, take the train to Wayne, same hotel, and uber everywhere!
And what Lorik said. The food inside was better than the food in some restaurants we tried. And I was obsessed with the white pumpkins. It really was fun.
That was Andiamo Tyme. Still hard to believe Neil is gone 
Love DaD, but have to disagree about the food. It’s just okay and it’s expensive (although drinking wine while watching dressage can’t be beat). The shopping is fabulous, but not as much on super-sale as it used to be. Still, better shopping than at the Wellington shows. It’s just such a special show.
Do they not have the lovely tea sandwiches for DaD like they do for regular Devon? That’s one of the fanciest fabulous things. Or the lemons?
I haven’t been in a while, but I remember general admission won’t get you a seat anywhere. So you have to buy reserved seating. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong. Also it’ll most likely be raining/cold, so pack accordingly.
Unless it’s changed since the last time I was there, that’s pretty much true. You don’t have to buy a seat to get in, but I’d never want to fight for space to see the evening classes. There is a small amount of bleachers (think 4 rows) along the rail, but it was the worst of the towel game at a resort, with people coming by at 11AM and leaving a piece of cardboard to “save” their seat. I’d never not spring for at least a reserved seat, especially for Saturday night.
And yes, be prepared for all possible weather outcomes. Layers are your friend.
The Lemon sticks are only are Hunter Devon.
I grew up in that neighborhood and never missed it as a kid…haven’t been for a few years. This thread makes me want to go again!
It usually rains and people usually dance in the mud after the last rides on the last evening. So wear old shoes that you can discard afterwards!
I’d love to go again some time!
You guys are the best!!! Getting excited!!!
Have a wonderful time! Happy shopping!
Hold up. I saw the response that the lemon sticks are a hunter Devon thing, but tea sandwiches? Are there tea sandwiches and if so where?
I love tea sandwiches. Especially cucumber.
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