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Molly Neville Claims Single/Pair Pony Driving Championship
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Spectators gathered around the Dixon Oval on Memorial Day to witness the presentation of the tricolors for the Horse Pairs and the Single/Pair Pony Driving championship. Richard O’Donnell, president of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, received the Challenge Trophy and Horse Pairs championship title for the second year in a row after accumulating the most points throughout the three classes of the division over the course of Sunday and Monday.
The O’Donnell team drove to victory in comfort in their 1880 Spider Phaeton. The Philadelphia-native carriage is one of 16 vintage vehicles the O’Donnell’s own and have on display in their home-base museum.
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Next, the evening’s events shifted attention to the ponies, where Molly Neville and Helen Lenahan’s ponies returned to the winner’s circle, after winning Sunday’s Carriage Pleasure Drive championship, to earn the Single/Pair Pony Driving championship. Neville earned the most points over the two-day competition in her Relhok Serenity Blue carriage to receive the Joseph M. Pierce Challenge Trophy. It was a bittersweet win for Neville as Lenahan recently passed.
Championship aprons throughout both divisions on Monday were presented to O’Donnell and Neville by Misdee Wrigley Miller.
The Four-in-Hand Coaching division was also a featured event in the Monday evening session, with John White earning the win in the Excelsior Road Coach after also receiving the Devon blue in the event last year. Four-in-Hand Coaching competition will continue throughout the week at the Devon Horse Show and County Fair.
The Best Tailgate Picnic Trophy and the Gilbert Sheck Memorial Challenge Trophy was also awarded on Monday evening with the title going to William Venditta and the Brewster Coach.
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FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Molly Neville
On her second championship win at the 2017 Devon Horse Show:
“It’s bittersweet. I wish [Helen] could have been here with me for the win. It’s tough but I was happy that [the ponies] were good girls. I know Helen was with me. I’m glad I could do it for Helen.”
On her first time competing at the Devon Horse Show:
“It’s exciting! It’s one of the top horse shows and like no other. It’s really wonderful.”
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Family Days at Devon Offer Discounts
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Every day of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is a good day to bring your family to the showgrounds, but Tuesday, May 30, is a special Family Day!
“Devon is all about families, from our volunteers to our guests at the show. Offering specials in the booths and coordinating special events and exhibitions is Devon’s way to thank and celebrate families,” said Devon Horse Show and Country Fair co-chair Lisa Estabrook.
Family Day specials:
Tuesday will also offer an extra special treat. Back barn tours will be given from 3-6 p.m. Tours will leave from the Picnic Grove and there will even be a special stop on the tour this year as the Budweiser Clydesdales will be calling Devon home during the show.
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#Devon2017
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