Tag Archives: Washington Int'l Horse Show
Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Samantha Takacs and Brighton Take Top Pony Hunter Honors at WIHS
Samantha Takacs and Brighton. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
The final winners of the 61st annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) were named on Sunday, October 27, at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., marking the conclusion of the six-day horse show.
Among those claiming victories on Sunday was Samantha Takacs, who rode Brighton to the Grand Pony Hunter Championship title, and claimed The Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Novick and Rustic Woods. Hallie Moss topped the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals aboard Birtley's Crowned Jewel to take home The Jane Marshall Dillon Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Friends and Students of Mrs. Jane Marshall Dillon.
Takacs, 14, of Oldwick, NJ, and Brighton, owned by Ellie Sadrian, won the under saddle and earned a first and second over fences in the Large Pony Hunter division to clinch the division championship and the Pegasus Stable Perpetual Trophy, donated by Ms. Fenwick Kollock, on their way to the grand championship title.
"It feels so good!" said Takacs of her major victory. "I can't even describe how happy I am feeling right now. It's such an honor at this amazing horse show."
Takacs topped the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals last year riding Storyteller, and this year, she got the ride on Brighton from her good friend and fellow rider, Sadrian.
Hallie Moss Wins WIHS Pony Equitation Finals on Her First Try
Hallie Moss watched Sam Walker win the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals on Saturday evening at WIHS and carried her inspiration from that into her performance in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals to take the blue.
Moss, 11, scored an 84.5 in the over fences phase of the class to stand in third before the flat phase, after which the judges, Sue Ashe and Timmy Kees, put her on top as the winner with Birtley's Crowned Jewel. It was Moss's first time showing in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, though she showed in the pony hunter divisions last year.
"It's my last show on 'Teddy,' so it's pretty incredible," Moss said. "I wasn't slow, which I've been working on, and I was able to find the jumps out of stride." Teddy is a 12-year-old Welsh Pony by Eyarth Tayma and owned by Three Ships LLC.
For more information and results, please visit www.wihs.org.
equitationfeaturedHallie Mosshunter/jumperSamantha TakacsWashington Int'l Horse Show
Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Kraut Wins Match Race for FEI Jumping World Cup Victory in Washington
Laura Kraut and Fleurette (FEI/Ashley Neuhof)
Laura Kraut (USA) is an Olympic gold medalist, a World Equestrian Games Champion and a fixture in U.S. show jumping, but until Saturday night in downtown, D.C. (USA), she hadn't won a World Cup in Washington.
Kraut won the $136,300 CSI4*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington for the first time in her decorated career, topping a two-horse match race of a jump-off over Olaf Petersen, Jr.'s (GER) shortened course. Her winning mount was a relatively new partner, the 10-year-old mare, Fleurette; they finished the jump-off with 4 faults in 40.99 seconds. Andrew Welles (USA) and Primo Troy, pathfinders in the jump-off, finished second with 12 faults and a 45.69-second time. Brianne Goutal-Marteau (USA) completed an all-USA podium with a third-place finish aboard Viva Columbia. That duo had just a single time fault in the first round.
"This has been a class I've wanted to win for many, many years. I've had quite a few seconds, thirds, and fourths, but a win always seemed to elude me. At the beginning of the week, I said, 'This is going to be my week.' I felt good about it. [Fleurette] jumped really well [all week]. It's very special."– Laura Kraut (USA)
The packed crowd on hand was forced to wait in hopeful anticipation for a jump-off to be guaranteed. Welles posted his first round clear before the competition's halfway point, and Kraut didn't replicate his performance until the bitter end. She was the last to jump in the first round.
"I didn't change my strategy [in the first round], but I watched [Welles] go," Kraut said. "When he came out, I said to him, 'You rode that perfectly.' He rode it right on. He and I had sort of walked the course at the same time and talked about it. That was the plan we had. I just thought I would do that. [Fleurette] lets you ride her, and she's really good at letting you place her to the jumps. It was just a matter of making sure I stuck to it!"
In the jump-off, Welles started with a bold pace, but a refusal at the second fence led to his 12 faults. That took the pressure off Kraut, who clinched the win with a single rail.
"For sure, when you know [your competitor] had 12 faults, it allows you to take a breather, but I didn't want to muck it up! It's a bummer that happened for him, but it was good for me!" Kraut exclaimed.
Kraut and Fleurette have only been paired since June, and the mare flew in from Europe specifically to compete in Washington.
"She has so many strengths," Kraut said. "It's fantastic. I think she's got all the jump, all the scope; she's careful, brave, and sensible, and she lets you ride her. The only thing missing is mileage at this level. My goal would be [the Olympic Games in] Tokyo for her."
At the conclusion of the competition, the east coast sub league standings of the North American League still had a commanding leader in Elizabeth "Beezie" Madden, who boasts 48 points. Welles moved into second in the standings with 26 points, having also posted a top 10 finish in World Cup competition in Vancouver to start the season. Devin Ryan (USA) sits third in the standings with 21 points.
The North American League continues in Lexington, KY (USA) on Saturday, 2 November 2019.
By Catie Staszak
FEI Media Contact:
Manager Press Relations
featuredFEIFEI World CupLaura KrautShow JumpingWashington Int'l Horse Show
Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Sydney Shulman Makes It Two in a Row at WIHS
Sydney Shulman and Villamoura. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
The 61st Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Friday, October 25, with thrilling displays of speed and power. Israeli rider Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT topped the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final on Villamoura, while Aaron Vale and Schuyler Riley of the United States shared victory in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance. The classes were part of a full schedule of exciting competition and entertaining exhibitions during Military Night, presented by Caterpillar, Inc.
Shulman, 24, came to WIHS to jump in the international jumper division for the first time with a pretty specific goal. "I came here with the plan to do just these two speed classes and hopefully be in the top five, with all these elite riders in the classes," she said.
She ended up winning both of them. Shulman rode Villamoura, a 10-year-old Selle Français mare by Diamant de Semilly and owned by Jill Shulman, to the blue in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, adding her name to the General Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by the late Arthur J. Morris. The night before, she and Villamoura won the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.
"I'm definitely in shock!" Shulman said.
Aaron Vale and Schuyler Riley Share the Win in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance
The win in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance came down to a battle between a three-time WIHS puissance-winning horse and a horse contesting the class for the first time. In the end, they tied for the win, with both Aaron Vale and Finou 4 and Schuyler Riley on Very Chic Du Tillard clearing the 6'9″ height.
Vale and Finou 4, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding by For Pleasure owned by Thinks Like A Horse, had won the class the last three consecutive years and were hot favorites. Five other horse/rider combinations joined them on the starting list. "There was a good group of horses and riders tonight, so it was a little tougher class than maybe the last few years," Vale said. "You never go in thinking you're going to win."
Riley described E2 Show Jumpers' Very Chic Du Tillard, a 10-year-old Selle Francais by Diamant de Semilly, as a horse with the experience level of younger horse. He was jumping in his first Puissance class and has spent the majority of his show experience at the 1.45m level. "I knew he has the scope and the talent, but I knew he'd never done one before, so I sort of expected to go in there and jump one or maybe two and then come out, but he jumped it so easily," Riley said.
All six riders started over the wall set at 5'9″, and it was subsequently raised to 6'3″, 6'5″, and 6'9″. Only Riley and Vale cleared the 6'9″ height, and both returned to attempt 6'11". When they both knocked blocks off at that height, the class ended in a tie between them.
The Puissance is a favorite event for Vale, of Williston, FL, who has now won the class six times. His first win came in 1996 with Big Joe. "In America, we don't have great crowds too often, and this night is one of the best crowds of the year for the Puissance here," he said.
Aaron ValefeaturedPuissanceSchuyler RileyShow JumpingSydney ShulmanWashington Int'l Horse Show
Jos Verlooy Victorious in $50,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake
Jos Verlooy and Varoune. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
The international show jumpers took center stage on Thursday, October 24, at the 61st annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) for their first two competitions of the week during Barn Night. In the $50,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, Jos Verlooy of Belgium rode Varoune to victory, while Israel's Sydney Shulman topped the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.
Verlooy, who has competed at WIHS in years past and won the Puissance class in 2015, made a daring turn between fences 3 and 4 in the second round to slice seconds off his time. "In a jump-off you have to take a few risks, and the risk paid off for me tonight," he said. He finished with a time of 41.62 seconds, relegating U.S. rider Alex Granato and Carlchen W to second.
Sydney Shulman Goes Like Lightning to Win $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class
Sydney Shulman, who rides for Israel, just couldn't stop grinning after picking up the blue ribbon in the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class in her first year of competing in the international open jumper division at WIHS. She topped the class riding Villamoura as the fastest round of the nine riders who picked up 65 points over the jumps, finishing in 41.04 seconds.
"I looked at the list of riders and I had dreamed to be in a class with these people, let alone to beat them," Shulman, 24, said. "So I'm going to really remember this! It's special to be here."
The first through ninth place riders all collected 65 points, which meant they cleared all 10 jumps on course, including the final "joker" fence worth 20 points. There was also a special Washington Nationals World Series-themed fence on course, and Irish rider Shane Sweetnam dressed up as Nationals shortstop Trea Turner in honor of the baseball team's World Series appearance the same week as WIHS.
With nine riders out of the 24 starters on the same score, the class results came down to speed. "I watched some horses go, and after Adrienne [Sternlicht] went, I thought, 'There's no way I can be faster,' but I had to try!" Shulman said. "My horse doesn't have nearly the size of stride that she does. I had to think about being faster in the turns and across the ground. I added [strides] in two places that she left a stride out, but for my horse that's what works."
featuredJos VerlooyShow JumpingSydney ShulmanWashington Int'l Horse Show
Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Charlotte Powers Changes Gears to Win $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Washington, D.C. – Jumper riders took their turn in Capital One Arena during the second day of competition at the 61st Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Wednesday, October 23. WIHS continues through Sunday, October 27, with coveted hunter, jumper, and equitation competition in the heart of Washington D.C.
As Charlotte Powers watched the last rider jump off in the $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship and realized she had won, she jumped up and down and hugged her sister and trainer, Justine Powers Jarvis. Powers claimed the blue aboard her own Escot 6, turning in a clear round in 31.59 seconds to defeat the six other riders who had qualified for the jump-off out of the starting field of 26.
Megan Winkhaus claimed second place riding Speedy Chicolina with a clean jump-off round in 33.78 seconds, while Stephanie King guided Lexus to a four-fault jump-off effort in 30.84 seconds for third place.
Both Powers, of Ashburn, VA, and Escot 6 are new to the jumper ring. Powers showed in the hunters and equitation as a junior but took a step back from showing while she went to college and graduate school for her PhD in organizational psychology and started her career in human resources. She also spent a year and a half working in the United Kingdom. For those years, she kept riding, but did not show. When she moved back to the U.S. in October 2018, she told Jarvis she wanted to get back into the show ring.
"It's been 10 to 15 years since I've seriously competed," she said. "This is my first year back and first year doing the jumpers. The speed was a big difference! I'd always been told I go too slow, my whole career. This has been a change of pace."
Escot 6, a 13-year-old Hanoverian, evented to the four-star level with Colleen Rutledge riding but switched careers.
Caroline Nadalin Takes the Inside Track to Victory in the $10,000 WIHS Children's Jumper Championship
A tough inside turn proved to be the key for Caroline Nadalin and Boujis to win the $10,000 WIHS Children's Jumper Championship. It was a turn that hadn't worked out for a couple of the nine jump-off qualifiers from the original starting field of 25.
"My trainers told me I could do it, so I just believed in it," Nadalin, 14, said of the turn. "I knew my horse could do it, so I had to believe I could do it, and I just went and did it!"
The move resulted in a clean round in the winning time of 34.75 second, more than a second faster than second-placed Katalena Prusso on Camera Ready, who stopped the timers in 35.95 seconds. Stella Propp took third riding Baral Preciosa with a time of 40.94 seconds.
"This win is super exciting," said Nadalin, from Plain City, Ohio. "We've been trying to qualify for these [year-end championships] all year."
Caroline NadalinCharlotte Powershunter/jumperWashington Int'l Horse Show
Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Priscilla Denegre Earns Precious Win at WIHS
Priscilla Denegre and String of Pearls. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Washington, D.C. – The six-day Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™, kicked off on Tuesday, October 22, at Capital One Arena in the heart of Washington, D.C. Tuesday's opening day of competition featured the start of the professional and amateur hunter divisions, as well as year-end championships for child and adult hunter riders.
Earning wins in the $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship and the $10,000 WIHS Children's Hunter Championship were Priscilla Denegre riding String of Pearls and Abby Cole on Q-Bella, respectively.
Winning the $10,000 Adult Hunter Championship during Hunt Night, presented by BUCKEYE™ Nutrition, had very special meaning for Denegre, who collected the Diane Wade Memorial Award for the win. Not only does Denegre have a long history with WIHS, but she's also just coming back from a serious injury.
"I'm so lucky and blessed to be able to come back and do this. I know that. To have this horse, and to win this, is big for me," she said. Denegre's 2017 fall resulted in multiple broken bones and extensive time out of the saddle. When she was ready to start jumping again early this year, String of Pearls was her pick to ride. "She's been terrific. Talk about helping my confidence coming back; it just couldn't be better," Denegre, of Middleburg, VA, said.
From the field of 31 starting round one over the Alan Lohman-designed course, Denegre and "Pearl" scored an 83, which put them into third. A score of 85 in round two sent them on top of the standings and earned them the blue. "She's one of those horses that wants to please," Denegre said of Pearl.
Abby Cole Conquers the $10,000 WIHS Children's Hunter Championship
Abby Cole is a huge fan of WIHS, so she was delighted to lead the victory gallop for the $10,000 WIHS Children's Hunter Championship. Cole, a 14-year-old from Ashburn, VA, has been attending WIHS as a spectator for years.
"It means a lot," Cole said. "I worked really hard. I wanted to do well in this this year. I've never done well at a big show." She rode Kelsey Campbell's Q-Bella to the win with a total score of 165 to earn the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen.
Madeline Rubin and Nuff Said finished in second with a score of 164.5, while Juliette Propp took third on Premium Blend with a score of 163.
From the 30 horses that started the class, 12 returned for the second round. Cole and Bella scored an 80 in the first round and stood fifth before the second round, but a stellar trip in round two and a score of 85 vaulted them into the lead for the win.
For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.
Abby Colefeaturedhunter/jumperPriscilla DenegreWashington Int'l Horse Show
Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Jennifer Wood, Pony, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Championship Leads the Way to WIHS
Charleez Simcik and Angelique. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Upper Marlboro, MD – The 2019 WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Championship, presented by TTR Sotheby's International Realty, returned to Prince George's Equestrian Center (PGEC) in Upper Marlboro, MD from Friday, October 18 through Sunday, October 20. The annual event showcased local and regional riders, giving them a final chance to qualify for the coveted Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN, which kicks off on Tuesday, October 22 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.
Charleez Simcik, 18, of Taneytown, MD, won the MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals, which was the featured event on Friday at the WIHS Regional Horse Show. Simcik was second in the Gittings Horsemanship Finals in 2018 and returned this year hungry for a win.
Simcik, trained by her mother Stacey and Kim Williams, piloted her own Angelique to the top spot, and has had the ride on the 11-year-old German-bred mare for more than two years. Formerly piloted by Taegan Long in the equitation, Angelique officially joined Charleez's string by accident.
"We ran into her last rider's mom at a show and she was hoping to focus more on the jumpers, so we took the horse originally to campaign and sell," said Charleez, who is a senior at Garrison Forest School in Baltimore, MD. "I obviously fell in love with her right away and convinced my mom to buy her."
Angelique and Charleez took a chance to catch the judges' eye in the Gittings Horsemanship Final. She utilized the immense size and stride of the mare she calls a "big princess" to eat up a bending line at the end of the course in six strides where others were doing seven and sometimes eight.
"I think that line is what the judges really liked about our round," said Charleez. "We were very concise with our round because there weren't a lot of opportunities to do rollbacks, so I had to something to catch the judges' eye."
This year marks Charleez's third year competing in the Gittings Horsemanship Final before passing the torch and the ride on Angelique to her sister Jianna. Of her experience at the WIHS Regional Horse Show, Charleez noted, "Having the Regionals at [Prince George's Equestrian Center] makes the show feel really special. For me, it feels like a hometown show because I grew up riding around all those same people, and I know everyone. But what makes it even more special is that the local divisions have the opportunity to then compete at WIHS."
Behind Charleez, Alexis Seiden took second riding Contasia for owner Wynnwood Farm, LLC, while Clare O'Brien rounded out the top three aboard her own Bronziet. Ryleigh Crisafulli and her Camelot finished in fourth, with Mahalia T. Alascio capping the top five riding Blueberryhill's Blue Dream, owned by Castlewood Farm, Inc.
Additional equitation champions were also crowned, including Emily Longest, who topped the National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) 3'3″ Junior Hunt Seat Medal riding Hoorah for owner Drew Tibbetts. In the pony ranks, Eliza Laviolette won the MHSA Children's Pony Medal riding her own Romeo.
Highlighting USHJA Zone 3 Championships jumper competition, Hugh Turner and Acadia Park, owned by Samantha Hawrysko, were named champion, and Adison Rice took reserve with Zantura. For adult riders, top honors in the USHJA Zone 3 Adult Amateur Jumper Final were presented to Jessica Leonard aboard Amalee for owner Jessica Matelis. Wendy Libert and Papillion Peanut were reserve champions.
In the USHJA Zone 3 Championships hunter divisions, Grace Walker and her own Zealand collected the championship in the Children's Hunter Horse 14 & Under Final, while Lauren Satola took reserve on Santinos. For 15-17 riders, Margaret A. Stell and her own Clever topped the list, while Kendall Cashion and Verano earned reserve.
Emily Longest was also named champion in the USHJA Zone 3 3'3″ Junior Hunter Final riding Hoorah for Drew Tibbetts. Jessie Spade took the reserve title with Nightfall.
The USHJA Zone 3 Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Final was topped by Brittani Director riding her own Rococo. Layne Woodward took reserve riding Montblanc. The tricolor in the USHJA Zone 3 Adult Amateur Hunter 35 and Over Final went to Betty Oare and EMO Stables' Sidenote, while Rachel Howell piloted Flirtation Walk to reserve honors.
Leading the charge for the Small and Medium Ponies were Ashley Garrido and Color Me Happy before a tie shared the reserve between Audrey Quinn on Jems Tucker and Mary Reeves Hopkins riding My Little Golden Girl. The Large Pony tricolor went to Abigale Olmsted on Highland's Right Royal, owned by Alexandra Panetta. Alicia Wang and Irish Rambler were reserve.
Competition at the WIHS Regional Horse Show concluded on Sunday, just two days before the Washington International Horse Show – featuring top horses and riders from across the U.S. and around the world – kicks off on Tuesday, October 22. Qualified riders from the WIHS Regional Horse Show will compete at WIHS in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 27.
WIHS will continue a longstanding tradition as one of the world's most celebrated indoor horse shows in 2019 and again host the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington, presented by Events DC for the President's Cup, with coveted qualifying points on offer for the 2020 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final taking place in Las Vegas, NV in April. Additionally, WIHS will welcome qualified hunter, jumper, equitation, and pony riders from across the nation and celebrate year-end titles, including the coveted Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals.
For more information on event schedule and special ticket offers and discounts, visit WIHS.org/tickets.
Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com
equitationfeaturedhunter/jumperWashington Int'l Horse Show
Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Legends and Future Stars of Horse Sport Converge at WIHS
Eliza Kimball and Available Ohio at WIHS 2018. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Washington D.C. – Household names in the show jumping industry will come together with tomorrow's talent at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS EQUESTRIANTM, running from October 22 through 27, 2019 at Capital One Arena in the U.S. capital city of Washington, D.C.
Marking the culmination of a year's worth of qualifying, hunter, jumper, and equitation riders will take center stage in the heart of the U.S. capital to chase WIHS glory. Sitting at the top of the qualified list, Sam Walker leads the charge for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, and top hunter riders including Scott Stewart, Liza Boyd, and John French will also make their way to Washington. The U.S. rider list is stacked with the likes of Olympians Kent Farrington, Laura Kraut, and McLain Ward turning up for international competition.
Opening WIHS, High Performance Hunters and the $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championships highlight Tuesday's Hunt Night evening, while the $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championships take center stage on Wednesday evening. Special action kicks off on Thursday night, October 24, which is also Barn Night, with highlights that include the $50,000 International Jumper Welcome Class and one of the most popular classes, the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.
Friday night, October 25, is Military Night presented by Caterpillar, Inc., and celebrates the athleticism of the horse. The night starts with the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, where it's all about the fastest time, before the $25,000 Land Rover International Jumper Puissance tests just how high the horses can jump. Aaron Vale (USA) will look to win his fourth consecutive high-jump title, while all riders will have in mind to chase the indoor puissance record of 7 feet, 7 ½ inches, set by Anthony d'Ambrosio and Sweet 'N Low at WIHS in 1983.
On Saturday, October 26, two of the most prestigious events of WIHS take place. First, the country's best junior riders will vie for one of the most coveted year-end titles – the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals. Won by notable champions like McLain Ward (1993), Kent Farrington (1999), and Christine McCrea (1996), the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals will feature the next generation of show jumping stars.
As the evening continues on Saturday, the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington, presented by Events DC for the President's Cup, offers sought-after qualifying points for the 2020 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals, held in April in Las Vegas, NV. Confirmed riders from all corners of the world include Olympic gold medalists, former President's Cup winners, and eager challengers.
In addition, US Equestrian Chef d'Équipe Robert Ridland will be inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame on Saturday night at WIHS. Ridland is a popular show manager and course designer, and has dedicated decades worth of time to the promotion of American horse sport.
WIHS concludes on Sunday, October 27, with the smallest and cutest stars of the show. Pony riders and their pint-sized mounts will compete for top honors in the WIHS pony hunter ranks, the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, presented by Huntland, in addition to highlighting special local qualifiers for the WIHS Regional Championships.
WIHS Tickets
Opening Day Special: Tues., October 22 only: All tickets are $2, day or evening
Best Deal: Anytime ticket Package, all 11 sessions of the show with deep discount, adult, and children's pricing
Where to Buy: Ticketmaster.com, Capital One Arena box office, or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
Daytime Tickets (general admission) Wednesday through Sunday, $15 (plus applicable service charge). Children 12 and under admitted free. Discounts for Military, Seniors, and Students.
Evening Tickets: Preferred and Standard seating. Tickets start at $25 for selected nights. Discounts for Military, Seniors, and Students.
Group Sales: Capital One Arena Group Sales at 202-661-5061 (min. group size 10)
Complimentary Tickets: Community and service members, go to org/FreeTickets
Community/Charity, Publications/Media, Washington Int'l Horse Show
Top Stars to Sign USET Foundation's "Riding for the Team" Book at WIHS
Olympic show jumper Margie Engle on her pony at five years old.
Gladstone, NJ – The U.S. Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation announces a unique opportunity for fans of equestrian sport with a book signing for the coffee table-style book, Riding for the Team, at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Saturday, October 26, at 6:15 p.m.
The 302-page hardback volume contains memories, images, and stories from 47 top riders and drivers in all eight international equestrian disciplines who competed and won medals for the U.S. over the last 30 years, including show jumping stars like McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut, Margie Engle, and more.
Copies of Riding for the Team will be available for purchase at WIHS at the US Equestrian booth on the concourse of the Capital One Arena and will be sold in line during the autograph signing. Some of the riders featured in the book will join fans next to the Land Rover booth on the concourse on Saturday night of WIHS to sign copies of the book.
In the book, McLain Ward recounts just what went through his mind at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as he walked into the ring knowing that the U.S. team's medal depended on his performance. "[I] took a moment to tell myself, 'Okay, it's a little bit disappointing. But now there's a job to be done, and I have to focus on the things I can control and let the bigger outcome sort itself out.'" Ward gives readers of the book an insightful glimpse into the mental aspect of the sport.
Renowned equestrian journalist Nancy Jaffer compiled and edited the first-person accounts from the athletes for Riding for the Team. Along with stories of athletes at major games competition, the book features fantastic photographs, including behind-the-scenes moments and images of top riders in their younger years, such as Margie Engle's pony ride as a five-year-old and Phillip Dutton in his Australian Pony Club days.
"The compelling stories collected in this volume, as told by the athletes who have become part of equestrian history, demonstrate how to make dreams reality, while acknowledging sacrifice as the other side of achievement," Jaffer writes in the opening introduction. "Those who compete at the highest level share several characteristics in addition to the love and appreciation of the horse. All have demonstrated singular focus to achieve excellence, putting aside other pursuits as they strive to represent their country."
The book is a sequel to Riding for America, published in 1990 and also compiled by Jaffer. Riding for America highlighted key figures on the American equestrian scene from 1976 to 1990. It followed the tradition of the 1976 volume, The USET Book of Riding: The First Quarter Century of the USET, which was produced by the late USET chairman emeritus and Olympic show jumping gold medalist, Bill Steinkraus.
Published by Trafalgar Square Books, Riding for the Team is available for pre-order on the USET Foundation website. A rare opportunity to learn more about the stars of American equestrian sport, the book also makes an excellent gift and is sure to be a treasured addition to any horseman's library.
Proceeds benefit the USET Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that helps provide funding for the High Performance competition, training, coaching, travel, and educational needs of America's elite and developing athletes and horses in partnership with the national federation, US Equestrian.
For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.
Beezie Maddenfeaturedhunter/jumperLaura KrautMargie EngleMcLain WardPhillip DuttonRiding for the TeamUSET FoundationWashington Int'l Horse Show
Equestrian Assistance, Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Washington Int'l Horse Show
2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Scholarship Recipients Named
September 30, 2019 Associate Editor	Leave a comment
Avery Glynn. Photo by McCool Photography.
Washington, D.C. – The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund will honor Avery Glynn, 17, of Chilmark, CA; Emma Fletcher, 17, of Buzzards Bay, MA; and Taylor Griffiths, 17, of Wellington, FL with the prestigious 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Washington International Horse Show Equitation Scholarship. The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) runs October 22-27, 2019, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund (LMCF) is returning for its third year as the title sponsor of the WIHS Equitation Finals. In 2017 LMCF developed the WIHS Equitation Scholarship to recognize the talent, dedication, and hard work of junior riders who compete throughout the year in the hopes of qualifying to participate in the WIHS Equitation Finals.
"It is a pleasure to recognize the incredible riders who have both applied for and received the WIHS Equitation Scholarship. Last year, we expanded the number of scholarship recipients and this year we will continue that growth by honoring three recipients," said Lindsay Maxwell, founder of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund. "The selection committee was impressed by the caliber of applicants this year, and we are thrilled to honor these three young women at the WIHS Equitation Finals."
Maxwell continued, "The future of our sport depends on young riders like Avery, Emma, and Taylor, who have continually displayed their dedication to our sport, animal welfare, and their local communities."
"In the third year of the LMCF WIHS Equitation Finals Scholarship program, the WIHS team is beyond impressed by the quality of the applications and the remarkable talent and commitment of these three young competitors," said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. "We are ever grateful for the increasing generosity and expanded commitment of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund to this special, one-of-a-kind program."
In addition to the honors attendant to this accolade, the scholarship will cover expenses such as travel and lodging for the rider and parent, the show's entry and application fees, equine transportation and stall fees, and special VIP hospitality access. Now in its 28th year, the LMCF WIHS Equitation Finals is a rigorous three-phase competition held over two days. A panel of three judges test and evaluate the riders in hunter, jumper, and work-off rounds to determine the best of the best.
Former Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals champions include former world No. 1 ranked rider Kent Farrington and two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward.
Invitations to compete in the annual Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals are sent to the top 40 junior riders based on points earned during the year-long qualifying period.
Avery GlynnEmma Fletcherequitationfeaturedhunter/jumperLindsay Maxwell Charitable FundTaylor GriffithsWashington Int'l Horse ShowWIHS Equitation Finals