Horse Show FAQs
How do I get to the Devon Horse Show?
- For directions to the Devon Horse Show click here.
What are the hours for the horse show and fair?
- Gates will open at approximately 8:00 a.m. and close at approximately 10:00 p.m., daily.
- The Country Fair area opens around 10:00 a.m. for the Midway and Shopping.
- The first Sunday, the gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and the Horse Show classes will start at 1:00 p.m.
- The final Sunday, the classes will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at approximately 1 p.m. The Fair and Midway will be open.
What is the location of the Advanced Sale Ticket Office? When is it open?
- The Advanced Sale Ticket Office is at the head of the Dixon Oval on the second floor of the Committee Stand.
- It opens approximately 6 weeks before the show begins (April 9 in 2012). The hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM – 2 PM and Saturday from 10 AM – 12 noon.
- To receive information on the exact date that the Ticket Office will open each year, ask to be added to our mailing list or check our website.
What is your ticketing structure?
- General Admission: provides entrance to the horse show & fair grounds for an entire day and open bench seating around the rings on a first-come basis**. These tickets are not date sensitive and are available for all days including the popular Thursday Grand Prix. Adults: $10; Children 3-12 and Seniors 65 & over: $5. Children 2 & Under are free. Does not include Covered Grandstand Seating.
**General Admission bench seating for the Thursday Evening Grand Prix: On Grand Prix Thursday at 8 AM, special wristbands will be available on a first-come basis at the Front Gate Ticket Office to those holding General Admission tickets and passes. As a courtesy to other patrons, saving seats by the use of blankets, bags, coolers, etc., will not be permitted. Security will clear all benches of unattended materials prior to the beginning of the 7 PM performance. Limit: Four wristbands per person.
- General Admission Pass: provides discounted General Admission for each day of the show. Cost: $55
- Reserved Grandstand Seating: provides entrance to the horse show & fair AND includes your choice of seating in one of our four covered grandstands. One ticket is sold for the day session, and another ticket is sold for the evening. Come early, stay late! You may enter the show grounds anytime that date with a Reserved Grandstand ticket, but you may only sit in your seat during the time stated on the ticket. Prices vary according to the performance.
- All Performance Seating Package (like a Season Ticket Package): provides discounted daily entrance to the show & fair and first choice of the most sought-after Reserved Seating in one of our four covered grandstands. Saves 25% off the price of individual tickets. Gift certificates are available year round. Cost: $225 per seat.
- Grand Prix Plus (Pick 3) Package: Create your own package by selecting one ticket for the Thursday Grand Prix and at least two additional discounted tickets ($2 off each) of your choice. Prices start at $75. All packages receive priority handling. Call 610-688-2554 to order.
What are the "best" places to sit in the grandstands?
- Seating preferences are highly subjective; what may be the favorite for one person may not be best for another.
- The Main Grandstand - on the west side of the Dixon Oval - has the traditional wooden design. It offers two rows of bench seating (with backs) above the boxes.
- The East 1 Grandstand is located on the northeast side of the ring close to the Committee Stand. It provides 10 rows of individual molded plastic seats with backs.
- The East 2 & 3 Grandstands are centered on the east side of the Dixon Oval. These grandstands provide 13-14 rows of metal bleachers with no seat backs.
- The East 2 Grandstand has ramped access and offers one row of 32 seats with backs. Wheelchair seating is also available.
- Mail orders are always filled with the best seats available.
May I order tickets by phone or over the Internet?
- The Advanced Sale Ticket Office accepts phone orders beginning the Wednesday after the office opens. Phone orders are not accepted for individual Grand Prix tickets, but are accepted for Grand Prix Plus Packages. Phone orders are not taken during the show.
- Internet Tickets are available. (An additional fee will be charged.) Grand Prix Plus Packages will be available online beginning the Wednesday after the ticket office opens.
If I buy Reserved Grandstand Tickets, do I also need to purchase General Admission Tickets?
- No, a separate General Admission ticket is no longer required with Reserved Grandstand Seating. With a Reserved Grandstand ticket, you may enter the show & fair grounds anytime that day, but you may only sit in your seat during the time stated on the ticket.
I mailed my ticket order as soon as I received it, but my tickets haven’t arrived?
- Volunteers staff the Advanced Sale Ticket Office. We begin filling orders as soon as the office opens in April. Please be patient, but don’t hesitate to email or call if you’d like us to check your order status. ( or 610-688-2554)
How do I get the best Reserved Grandstand tickets for the Grand Prix?
- Anyone who purchases an All Performance Ticket Package will get first choice.
- Your next best option is to come to the Advanced Sale Ticket Office on opening day – or at least come sometime during opening week.
- Mail in your ticket form as soon as you receive it in February. Orders are dated and filled in the sequence in which they are received. Grand Prix Plus Packages will receive priority.
The schedule says that the Thursday "Devon at Sunset" begins at 4:30 PM, but the actual Grand Prix class does not start until 8 PM. If I want to come at 4:30 PM, do I need to purchase an afternoon ticket as well as one for the evening?
- You may enter the show & fair grounds any time all day with an evening ticket. The evening ticket for the Grand Prix allows you to sit in your seat beginning at 7:15 PM.
I waited too long, and Reserved Grandstand tickets for Thursday Evening’s Grand Prix have sold out. What other performances do you recommend?
- There are exciting jumping classes every night at Devon, but the same riders who compete in the Grand Prix will also be riding in the Open Jumper classes on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the Gambler’s Choice on the final Friday evening, and the Open Jumper Stake on the final Saturday evening.
What are some of the other favorite classes at Devon?
- The Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend features the Antique Carriage Pleasure Drive, a long-standing tradition at Devon. The carriages arrive at St. David's Church between 10 and 11 AM, and judging begins at about noon. The carriages parade along Valley Forge Road to the show grounds where they are pinned in the Dixon Oval beginning at about 2 PM. Tailgating is welcomed! The always exciting Pony Jumpers will highlight the afternoon and evening competitions.
- Wednesday Afternoon is Ladies Day and features the elegant Ladies Hunter Side Saddle Classes. The Ladies Side Saddle division continues into Wednesday evening with the Under Saddle Class and the awarding of the Ladies Side Saddle Championship.
- The final Sunday morning features the USHJA Hunter Derby. This class consists of two rounds with the first round being a classic hunter round and the second round being a handy hunter round. Fences are set at 3'6" to 3'9" with four 4' option fences. Obstacles simulate those reminiscent of the hunt field.
What days and performances are best for families with small children?
- Every day is a good for families at Devon! The rings remain busy, and the Fair & Midway provide a constant source of favorite foods and entertainment.
- Family Days, the first Thursday (Children ages 12 & under receive Free Admission to the grounds courtesy of Hartstrings!) and Tuesday. Special deals all day on food, rides and souvenirs at the Country Fair & Midway.
- Favorite classes on the first Saturday include the two Lead Line classes (featuring children under 6) and the costumed Pony Hunt Teams held at the end of the afternoon in the Gold Ring.
- The first Saturday night offers a jumping class featuring the best junior riders in the country and concludes with a Hunt Teams class, the Parent & Child class, and the Family class.
- The Doggie Fashion Parade is on Memorial Day at about 1 p.m! Show off your pup in two catagories - Devon Doggie Fashionista and Devon Look-A-Like.
- Ongoing Guided Back Barn Tours are available on Tuesday from 3-6 PM. Registration is not required, and there is no additional charge.
- Due to the large crowds, we do not recommend the Thursday evening Grand Prix as the best time to bring small children.
I plan to buy Reserved Grandstand seating. Do I have to purchase a ticket for my child if he or she will sit on my lap?
- No, your child may sit on your lap in the Reserved Grandstands at no additional cost.
Do you offer any special discounts through the Advanced Sale Office?
- For groups of 10 or more, the Advanced Sale Ticket Office offers a $2 discount off the price of a regular reserved grandstand ticket for all performances except the Grand Prix on Thursday Evening, May 31.
- In addition, Seniors 65 & Over, Children 12 & Under, and Active Military Personnel also receive a discount of $2 per ticket for Regular Grandstand Seating. Thursday Evening of the Grand Prix is excluded from this offer.
- Multiple discounts are not allowed. Offer limited to tickets purchased through the Advanced Sale Office.
Do you offer special seating for the disabled?
- With General Admission, we offer a platform at the rail of the Dixon Oval between the East 1 and East 2 Grandstands for wheelchair-bound spectators and their attendants.
- For Reserved Grandstand ticket holders, our ramped East 2 Grandstand provides a first row of seats with backs. Spectators must be able to transfer to the seat.
- Wheelchair Seating is available in the the East 2 Grandstand. Please call the Ticket Office at 610-688-2554 for more information.
What are the exhibitions? What times will they be performing? Will the Budweiser Clydesdales be at Devon this year?
- We will post the exhibitions as soon as they are final.
