Edited Press Release
Devon, Pa. – June 17, 2022 – The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is pleased to announce and welcome Patrick Boyle, of Showplace Productions, and Phil J. DeVita Jr. as the new show managers for the 2023 competition to be held at the historic Devon Horse Show Grounds in Devon, PA from May 25th-June 4th.
This new management team brings with it decades of experience in every facet of managing a heritage show of Devon’s stature and multi-breed distinction. As a team their experience runs the full gamut of competitor, trainer, judge, course designer and show production which will be sure to add immense value and insight to the Devon experience for competitor and equestrian enthusiast alike. Wayne W. Grafton, Chairman and CEO of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair recently commented on this appointment, “I am excited to see Patrick and Phil continue the great legacy of the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. They understand the importance of Devon and are eager to protect its historic relevance while shepherding the show into an incredible future.”
Patrick Boyle comes to Devon with an extensive resume within the horse show world. Since 1990, Boyle and his Showplace Productions have produced events from coast to coast and currently manages some 40 hunter/jumper competitions every year that are rated US Equestrian (USEF) Premium/National/FEI/IHJA A or B events. In addition, he manages the
Marshall & Sterling/USHJA National Championships (Las Vegas), the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and the Upperville Colt and Horse Show. Showplace Productions, under Boyle’s leadership, has developed, managed, or ran shows at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, the Balmoral Equestrian Center and $500,000 Balmoral FEI GP 5*, the IHJA Medal finals and numerous other
finals and championships. Boyle is a USEF “R” licensed official in Hunter/Jumper/Equitation, a USEF licensed course designer, a trainer, and a clinician. He is a member of many USHJA committees including the Competition Management Committee, Show Standards Committee and Zone V Hunter Committee.
Phil DeVita is a second-generation horseman who has spent his life around and involved with show horses. He is the son of the highly respected Phil DeVita and spent many decades under his father’s mentorship. From the early 1970s to the early 2000s, DeVita showed, competed and trained throughout the United States and with a veritable who’s who of the equestrian world. He received his USEF judge’s license at 20 and began course design at just 23. In 1995—27 years ago—he made the switch from competitor, judge and course designer to the world of show official management. As a licensed official for USEF, he holds an “R” in in judging for Hunters, Jumpers, Hunter Seat Equitation, and Hunter/Jumper course design. DeVita has been involved for many years as a committee member and a part of multiple task force groups including serving as the USHJA Officials committee chair from 2017-2020. He has had the distinct honor to design courses and judge at the ASPCA Maclay finals at Madison Square Garden, the Winter Equestrian Festival, and the fall show of the Capital Challenge. One of the greatest honors of his career has been as one of the team of 12 who designed the course for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. No stranger to Devon, DeVita has also judged the breeding division with the great Rodney Jenkins.
