Devon, Pennsylvania – May 24, 2025 – Junior Hunter competition at the 129th Devon Horse Show and Country Fair came to a close on Saturday afternoon with the crowning of numerous champions across the age divisions in the Small and Large Junior 3’6″ Hunters, leading up to the pinnacle—Devon Grand Junior Hunter Champion.
Paige Walkenbach topped the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 Division with Walkenbach Equestrian LLC’s Oldenburg gelding, Babylon, and the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 Division with Walkenbach Equestrian LLC’s Hanoverian gelding, San Pedro 15.
Walkenbach not only topped the Overall Small and Large Junior Hunter Championships, but she ultimately claimed the coveted title of Devon Grand Junior Hunter Champion with San Pedro 15.
But that was not the end of Walkenbach’s winning streak. To close out her final Devon as a junior rider, she also earned the Best Child Rider on a Horse Award as well as the Angelo Award.
Paige on Her Last Year as a Junior
“I think this year is definitely a little bit more pressure just because I’m coming off last year, and it’s also my last junior year, so I want to do well and end my last Devon as a junior on a good note…I always feel nervous, of course, I don’t think that’s ever going to go away. But I think it’s the team I have around me that helps calm my nerves down. They know me so well. And I think I just have to go in there and know that I’ll do my best either way.”
Trainer John French on Babylon
“That’s what’s the special thing about him [Babylon]—he loves his job, and he’s always so happy,” stated French. “He always goes in the ring, his ears perfect. He never pins his ears, ever. And, he loves his job. You come up at 5:30 in the morning and you’re riding him to the ring, and he’s like, ‘Oh, my God, we’re back in Devon. I love this show.’ You know? He’s a character. He definitely knows where he’s at. He knows the shows. He’s great at this venue because he likes the crowd and everything, and you know, he’s a bit of a ham.”
Paige on 2025 Devon Grand Junior Hunter Champion, San Pedro 15
“I’ve had Parker [San Pedro 15] for a while now, so I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s definitely developed a lot with me. This is our third year in a row being champion, so it’s just really special! I think he performs the best here out of all the shows we have done this year.”
Trainer Jim Hagman on Paige’s Partnership with San Pedro 15
“It’s a wonderful partnership, and Paige is completely 1,000 percent correct. As we know, the best horses, it’s about trust, right?”
JUNIOR 3’6″ HUNTER CHAMPIONS
SMALL JR HUNTER 15+U CHAMPION
Ladies First, owned by Elysian Stables LLC and ridden by Faith Schuttemeyer
Warmblood / Bay / Mare / Locarno X I Am On Top
LARGE JR HUNTER 15&U CHAMPION
Atlas, owned by Stephanie Ring and ridden by Ava Barnes
KWPN / Chestnut / Gelding / Carerra VDL x First Buresco
DEVON GRAND PONY HUNTER CHAMPION
While the last of the Junior Hunter Champions were being crowned in the Dixon, ponies and their riders were competing for their division championships in the Wheeler Ring. Ultimately it was Swede Ventures LLC’s Play Date ridden by Grace Stenbeck-Werner who claimed the title of 2025 Devon Grand Pony Hunter Champion.
Click HERE to view the full results.
