Influential Horseman Richard McDevitt Passes Away

Richard McDevitt of Malvern, PA, long-time President of the Devon Horse show, former President of the American Horse Shows Association and prominent Philadelphia lawyer, died on Friday, April 11.

McDevitt served as the President of the American Horse Shows Association, now known as USA Equestrian, from 1975 – 1987. His influence was widespread, specifically in the area of enforcement and promotion of the drugs and medications rules. McDevitt made it a personal mission to rid the sport of these types of abuse, for the benefit of not only the sport, but also for the welfare of the horse. During his tenure the AHSA saw a 70% increase in competitions and the membership more than doubled.

Due to his dedication to the sport, McDevitt received the AHSA Award of Merit, an award given only upon special discretion of the Executive Committee. In 2000 McDevitt was awarded the Marty Simensen Memorial Trophy for his work as a pioneer of the AHSA Drugs and Medications Program.

For 26 years McDevitt served as the president and guiding force to the Devon Horse Show and also served as its Chairman. He served on the Appeals Committee for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and was President of the Ground Jury at the 1984 Pan American Games. He also served as President of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association and was a member of the USET Executive Committee.

USA Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As
the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.
VISION STATEMENT
The vision of USA Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.

www.equestrian.org