Spectators at shows - Devon article with Coyle

[Irene2022]

I’ve never had the pleasure of going to Devon and have only been able to appreciate it from afar. What are some other shows nowadays that have a good crowd atmosphere? I remember some from years ago (2010-2015) that had most competitors staying to watch and a bunch of outside spectators for derby/GP classes.

Does it simply come down to the accessibility of the show for spectators to get to and the time/money to advertise it? The atmosphere is so much more fun with a crowd, would love to see more of it!

Quote from Jordan Coyle: “For me this is what America’s losing,” Jordan said of Devon and its electric atmosphere. “This is a proper horse show. The crowd here is amazing with the whole atmosphere and everything. Look how many people are still here. We can jump five-star grand prix [classes] and there’s 50 people there. This show—for sure I’ll be back. It’s my first time, but I can’t say enough good things. I already told my parents that they have to come here next year.”

https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/jordan-coyle-makes-his-first-trip-to-devon-count/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2JNS54EMiQNdVtIdajGHEFpH3PjRaTsQObbzNAYXdWCmERE1zl_ZYPPK0_aem_AfrDzgUTN8JtYIeGMyv15LTv7b6GoCMLdmJ8X13I4_I_PCjGdjbRUOOfY5ocMVK0-JZ8uAJIs-vCL2RO6gw4dY0Y

[evtrmom]

I can only speak from my experience, I grew up and still live near Devon, my family has a box in the main grandstand (for over 40 years) and we go multiple nights during the show. There is something about Grand Prix night there, it’s always sold out, people are on benches right on the rail, three rows deep or more, and all the grandstands are packed. The atmosphere is def electric, I’m so glad a first timer like Jordan Coyle appreciates it, I think this sets our show apart from others that way.

pic is from last night

[Larksmom]

in Kansas City, we have the American Royal. It has been around for I think, over 100 years. It was built up for Loula Long Coombs, who drove Hackneys and had somethng to do with Saddlbreds I think. This is a multiple discipline show. They start out with Hunter/Jumper stuff, and then everyone else. Western stuff and rodeo too. It is all together about two or three week show.
LLC is the daughter of R. A. Long who was a lumberman. He was wealthy enough to keep her in horses which she showed all over this country and in England as well.

[CBoylen]

Devon, while being wonderful also has the advantage of great dates. And also the non-horsey aspect of the fair.

[MHM]

Plus I believe it’s the oldest horse show in the country.

So all the local people are aware of it, and many have been attending for generations, as some posters have noted.

[Peggy]

The LAEC grand prix used to be pretty packed with a great atmosphere, especially with people packed into the equidome. Those dates kind of left but they got a good crowd with the recent shows that got moved from the Oaks.

Flintridge gets a nice crowd with community people though those are regional (?) GP. But a historic show with community ties.

There were good crowds at the Seaside Del Mar GP, though not on the level of the good old days of the National. But great atmosphere there and at the Galway shows. Does help that Ali feeds people and provides entertainment.

Thermal is OK. But GP runs at night, sometimes with a decent gap from the end of the regular classes and it can be chilly. Sometimes easier to go home and watch the live stream if you don’t have a horse in it. .

[jvanrens]

The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario gets huge crowds, but it’s a mixed discipline show. The Grand Prix classes draw huge crowds, one night is formal night,where some spectators wear evening attire. Classes can range through hackney ponies, road horse, heavy teams, coaching competition, hunters through jumpers. It’s not just horses jumping sticks, so there’s something for everyone. I miss going to it, haven’t been in years.

[Janet]

@MHM

Plus I believe it’s the oldest horse show in the country.

The Devon Horse show started in 1896.
The Uppervile Colt and Horse show is older, having started in 1853.
Also theNational Horse Show (originally at Madison Square Garden) was founded in 1883, though the location has changed over the years.

[Willesdon]

I think multi-discipline shows attract the biggest audiences, including people who have an interest but are not habitual horse people. Variety is entertaining. Seeing so many different disciplines and novelty classes keeps up the interest. Speed and skill and pazzazz is exciting. I’m a total horse nerd but even I can only manage four or five tests at a Dressage show before my attention wanders off and, honestly, I could not imagine anything more boring than a Hunter show. The empty seats at Devon for the various Hunter classes, so evident on the live feed, suggest many others feel the same way.

[EyesUp]

Wellington Florida Saturday NIght Lights Grand Prixs attract lots of people.

[bamboopole]

There will be no breed entries next year. They’re all going to Saugerties. Even the local PA trainers have had enough of Devon. Simply awful.

[WhyMyWyatt]

Unrelated but on topic, Jordan’s horse is barefoot. Alec Lawler transitioned him out of shoes.

[JenEM]

@Willesdon

The empty seats at Devon for the various Hunter classes, so evident on the live feed, suggest many others feel the same way.

The Hunter classes at Devon are running during the day, on weekdays, when most people who would be spectating are at work. We’re sitting in our offices watching the livestream

I would say Upperville can have a similar atmosphere for the Grand Prix at the end of the show, when the crowds are all around the ring, but it’s not at night.

Warrenton has a hunt night evening that has a ring surrounded by spectators and crowds. Showing sidesaddle at night there was quite an experience!

[paw]

I think it’s possible to have lots of spectators at shows with lots of interest (multi-breed) or those that have become, through longevity, traditional. Some of the newer shows attract crowds on particular nights, but do so because of other attractions. But the potential audience for non-legacy shows just isn’t that big in the US.

[fivestrideline]

@JenEM

@Willesdon

The empty seats at Devon for the various Hunter classes, so evident on the live feed, suggest many others feel the same way.

The Hunter classes at Devon are running during the day, on weekdays, when most people who would be spectating are at work. We’re sitting in our offices watching the livestream

Came here to say this. HUGE availability difference between a Wednesday 11am class and the weekend.

[eclipse]

Spruce Meadows …,even though you now have to pay to enter, the big shows still draw huge crowds! It’s amazing l

Tbird is starting to get bigger crowds for their FEI classes now (Nations cup etc) and have put bigger spectator stands in, which is awesome to see!

[blondewithchrome]

Washington does a great job with their GP night, at least they did when it was downtown. I have gone for many years and brought non horsey friends and they’d always remarked at how packed the Verizon Center was for “a horse show!” lol. I haven’t been at PGEC yet, but historically it was always well attended!

The problem IMO is the a) class times and b) proximity to a city where people care enough to go. Yes, Tryon does a good job with their event but Tryon is a HIKE to get to unless you’re there for the show. Shows that are within a reasonable drive for the non horse folks and have some draw - free, other entertainment, etc - will continue to be well attended. That’s part of the success for Devon - they have the fair, they have good proximity to an urban mass, and they have many night classes instead of just one.

[phoenixrises]

Devon is a very much still an “old money” show. Gosh boxes are 75k in the main grandstand and 20k in the temporary between Wheeler and Dixon. There are many many people who go because that’s what you do if you live on the Main Line.

I did take off work to see the derby, and I’d do the same for Upperville (but forgot this year) however, I can pretty much guarantee the non-horse people aren’t doing it.