First winners at show are diverse group

Five riders representing five states took first place in five classes yesterday on the opening day of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

The geographical diversity showed the nationwide appeal of Devon.

Shelby Wakeman of Westlake Village, Calif., took the first blue, followed in the next class by Grace Rogers of Burlington, Vt.

Johanna Hyyppa of Portland, Conn., won the third class, followed by Matthew Metell of Falmouth, Mass. The final winner was Michael Desiderio of Chester, N.J.

In the pony hunter breeding division, Hometown Hero, owned by Meg Rhodes of Keswick, Va., and handled by Kenny Wheeler, was the colt champion.

Northwind Marissa, owned by Brenda Draper of Pefferlaw, Ontario, and handled by Richard Taylor, was the filly champion.

The equitation division will conclude today, and competitors in junior hunter and jumper, and pony hunter will take center stage.

- Sara Cavanaugh