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Source: April 1963 Volume 12 Number 3, Pages 59–61


The Devon Horse Show Association

Elinor C.J. Sensenig


Page 59

One June day in the mid-nineties a group of substantial families met on the lawn of the Devon Inn - the side toward Waterloo Avenue - and formed the Devon Horse Show Association. Good harness horses were a necessity to those folks as well as an attractive pastime, as many of the splendid homes were far removed from the station.

The first group elected were: Henry T. Coates (who was in the book business), President; Lemuel C. Altemus and Henry Mather Warren, Vice-Presidents; E. W. Twaddell, Secretary; David B. Sharp (who lived at "Hawthorne," Leopard, where he operated a stock farm), Treasurer, The Executive Committee was made up of: Mr Altemus, Chairman; C. Davis English, J. W. Patten, A. B. Coxe, R. Penn Smith, D. B. Sharp, and H. T. Coates, ex-officio.

About 1900 the Show was held at the Dennis O'Sullivan half mile track (Arlington, Berkeley, and Boulevard Roads, approximately), J. C. Bartholomew of Berwyn was the veterinarian for a number of years. In a year or so a grandstand was built (near Arlington and Berkeley Roads) which burned. This was rebuilt.

The first show date was July 2, 1896, with entries closed June 27th. Judges were: Mr. Barclay Warburton, Thomas E. Parkes, M.D., and Mr. M. Peach, This show started at 9 A.M. Patrons that year included: the Percy Draytons, Lincoln Godfreys, George H. Earles; James Patterson, Samuel H. French, Miss Lillian Smith, Miss Colket, the Misses Harrison, Mrs. William Smith, Dr. Charles Turnbull and daughters (of Queen Lane. His sister, the wife of Dr. Charles Thomas, lived where the Devon Manor Home now stands. He exhibited ponies, and Alice Thomas Okie - Mrs. Howard S. Okie - rode one of them for a blue ribbon.); Miss Mabel Hastings, the Robert Hills, Miss Gertrude Tiers, T. Colket, Samuel Bunting, John Valentine, A. B. Coxe, J.H. Coates, J. C. Potts, E.W. Twaddell, George N. Coates, Henry T. Coates, Jr., Lemuel Altemus, D. B. Sharp, Henry N. Warren, C. Davis English, John W. Patten, Henry C. Groome, Barclay N. Warburton, Charles Mather, T. E. Parkes, M.D., M. Peach, and Thomas Rogers (the local blacksmith).

Page 60

The First Class called was #12 for yearlings owned by farmers. ( It might be well to note here that one purpose in establishing the Association was to encourage the local farmers to improve their stock through breeding, etc.). First prize went to a bay filly "Crescent," owned by U. G. Groff. Class 4 - stallions suitable for general purpose horse; first prize went to "Stamgraves," owned by J.B. Serrill. Class 11 - brood mares with foal at foot, was won by Owen P. Powell. Saddle horses was won by Mr. Russell E. Thomas; yearling colts, heavy harness type, by George H. Earle; yearling colts, light harness type, by Charles W. Morrisson. First prize, Class 10- yearling colts, hunter type, went to Mr. L.C. Altemus; Class 6 brood mares, of hackney type, to Darby Brook Farm; Class 2- standard-bred trotting or pacing stallions (2 years and over), to J. B. Serrill; Class 5 - hackney mares, to E. W. Twaddell. Class 7-light harness mare, was won by Tarleton Farms; Class 3, -hackney stallions, by E. W. Twaddell; Class 14 best roadster owned by a farmer, by Alfred S. Lewis of Radnor: best pair of farm horses, by James P. Calvert of Wyola; Class 32-pony stallions, by Dr. Charles S. Turnbull and so on.

In 1897 Edward F. Beale served as Judge, as did George Willing. In 1898 Col. A. L. Snowden, R. W. Rives, and E. Crozer judged. The show opened with a parade of stallions entered for exhibition only.

1910 finds William J. Clothier making his first appearance as an exhibitor. In 1911 Edward B. Chase was one of the judges, and Dr. Seely was very prominent. In 1912 Edward Dixon was one of the judges. The ladies organized the Country Fair in 1919. The 25th Anniversary Show in 1921 was very strong indeed, with 174 classes.

The Show has been continuous since its formation and the Bryn Mawr Hospital the beneficiary of proceeds therefrom.

Originally the cafeteria was run by donations, but today it is catered by Slater. There are 200 volunteers (40 girls a day) keeping the cafeteria operating. And now we find the Midway with Kiddie attractions, cafeteria, hot dog and ice cream stands, and concession stands for the big stores (Bonwit Teller, Wanamakers, etc.) which in the past ten years have been prominent. Before Show time, earlier in the spring, such activities as Suburban Square Day in Ardmore (when merchants give a percentage of the day's receipts to Bryn Mawr Hospital) an invitation cocktail party for 400 and an invitation teen-age dance for about the same number are held. This year (1962), following the Show in June, there was an invitation Golf Tournament at Aronimink, for the benefit of four hospitals, including Bryn Mawr.

Page 61

Devon is the largest outdoor horse show in the world. This 1962 year finds thousands of entries from 21 states. The officers this year include James K. Robinson, Jr., President, and John J. Burkholder, Secretary, and judges coming from New York, North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Illinois, and Missouri. Mrs, Edgar Scott of Villanova is Show Chairman.

I wish to acknowledge at this time the generous donation of time, information, and encouragement given me by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond S. Cox of Malvern; Miss Dorothy B. Lapp of the Chester County Historical Society; Mrs. Warren Croll of Devon. Mrs. Croll has been in charge of the cafeteria for over 40 years, taking over where her mother left off. Mr. Howard S. Okie of Berwyn. "Down through the Years," by Raymond S. Cox, in 50th Anniversary of Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, 1946. Not to mention my father, J. Craig Janney of Marshallton, who carefully corrected the many errors. Also "Daily Local News," May 23, 1962.

 
 

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