Washington International Horse Show

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The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is one of America's most elite horse shows, founded in 1958. The event took place every October for more than 20 years in the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. for two decades. The 2022 event took place at The Show Place Arena, in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland. The event is highlighted by international level show jumping, top show hunters, and two equitation championships. [1] The event is currently ranked as a CSI-5*-W International show jumping event, as well as a USEF Premier Hunter and USEF 6* Jumper show. [1] [2]

Contents

History

The Washington International Horse Show was founded in 1958 and quickly became a prestigious event for riders of all ages. [3] Over the years, many breeds and disciplines participated including Arabians, Cutting, Dressage, Walkers, Quarter Horses and Hunter/Jumper. [4] Additionally, the show was featured in the movie The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit in which scenes were filmed at the show, and premiered in 1968. [4] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 and 2021 (62nd and 63rd) WIHS was hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. [5] The 2022 event returned to the DC area and was the first one in Prince George's County for more than 20 years when it took place at The Show Place Arena. [6]

The event has been closely involved with the American presidency over the years, with the Presidential seal being given to the President of the United States Perpetual Cup by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Honorary Chairmen have included First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush. Ambassadors and other notable persons have also been honorary chairmen. [4]

Event Details

The WIHS is a six day event that completely transforms the Capitol One Arena. The hockey rink is melted and the walls are removed, making way for carpeting and arena footing. Horse stables are erected on F and 6th streets, closing motor traffic down for the duration of the event. Horses are gathered at the nearby Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD where they can train and are then shuttled into the city for the specific days that they will be competing. [7]

Qualifying is required for this event. Hunter and national jumpers are selected by USEF National points acquired throughout the qualifying period, while international jumpers are selected using the FEI standard process. [8]

Hunter classes take up much of the daytime competition, with professional and amateur divisions running on Tuesday and Wednesday, and junior and pony classes taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. National championships for Child and Adult Hunter and Jumper classes are held. The WIHS Equitation Final takes place over Friday and Saturday, while the Pony Equitation Final occurs on Sunday. National and International show jumping are highlighted Thursday through Saturday in the afternoons and evening classes. [8]

The WIHS also features the WIHS Regional Championships allowing for regional riders to compete at their home show without accumulating the points necessary to compete in the elite divisions. [8]

WIHS Equitation Championships

The WIHS Equitation Championship is one of the most prestigious equitation finals in North America. It is considered one of the four major finals in the United States alongside the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, and USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. Riders compete in a two-phase qualifying class throughout the qualifying period in which points are given based on the placing and the number of people in the class. The top 30 riders on the East Coast and top 10 riders on the West Coast are invited to the championship.

The final consists of three phases. The hunter phase is a hunter-style course while the jumper phase is a more technical jumper-style course. After each phase scores are given for each rider. The top ten riders with the most points across the two phases are invited back for the third round in which riders switch horses and complete a third course. Scores are not given for the final round until after awards are announced. [9]

The WIHS Pony Equitation Finals is one of the two major pony equitation championships alongside the USEF Pony Medal Finals. The top 25 pony riders from around the country based on points accumulated are invited to the show. Riders can choose any pony of any height to compete on. Small ponies jump at 2'3", mediums at 2'6", and large ponies jump at 3'0". The class consists of one round followed by a work-off round. [9]

Recent Winners

President's Cup Grand Prix [10]
YearHorseRiderOwner
2019Fleurette Laura Kraut St. Bride's Farm
2018Breitling LS Beezie Madden Elizabeth Wexner
2017Dsarie Beat Mändli Grant Road Partners GmbH
2016Ohlala Lauren Hough Lauren Hough
2015Emerald Harrie Smolders Axel Verlooy/Eurohorse BVBA
2014HH Carlos Z McLain Ward Double H Farm
2013Blue Angel Kent Farrington Robin Parsky
2012Cylana Reed Kessler Reed Kessler
2011Carlo 273 Nick Skelton Beverley Widdowson
2010Sapphire McLain Ward McLain Ward & Blue Chip Bloodstock
WIHS Equitation Final [10]
YearRiderHorse
2021Dominic GibbsCent 15
2020Tessa BrownDavide
2019Sam WalkerWaldo
2018Elli YeagerCopperfield 39
2017Taylor St. JacquesDi Samorano
2016Hunter HollowayAny Given Sunday
2015Victoria ColvinPatrick
2014Michael HughesFinnick
2013Meredith DarstSoldier
2012Elizabeth BensonSan Remo VDL
2011Chase BoggioMassimo
2010Lillie KeenanUno
Overall Grand Hunter Champion [10]
YearHorseRiderOwner
2019CameoScott StewartBetsee Parker
2018BastogneHunt ToshCeil Wheeler
2017Private LifeScott StewartBetsee Parker
2016Catch MeScott StewartDavid Gochman
2015BossJohn FrenchLaura Wasserman
2014MindfulKelley FarmerGlefke and Kensel, LLC
2013QuotableKelley FarmerD. Larry Glefke & Dr. Kenneth Garber
2012EnjoyScott StewartRose Hill Farm
2011GarfieldScott StewartAlexandra Crown
2010FrancescaMaggie JaynePony Lane Farm

Related Research Articles

Show jumping is a part of a group of English riding equestrian events that also includes eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes are commonly seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics. Sometimes shows are limited exclusively to jumpers. Sometimes jumper classes are offered in conjunction with other English-style events. Sometimes, show jumping is but one division of a very large, all-breed competition that includes a very wide variety of disciplines. Jumping classes may be governed by various national horse show sanctioning organizations, such as the United States Equestrian Federation or the British Showjumping Association. International competitions are governed by the rules of the International Federation for Equestrian Sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Horse show</span> A judged exhibition of horses

A horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and international championships in a given discipline or breed. Most shows consist of a series of different performances, called classes, wherein a group of horses with similar training or characteristics compete against one another for awards and, often, prize money.

The Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) is a nonprofit organization composed of men and women of all riding levels and offers individual and team competition in Hunter Seat equitation and Western horsemanship with around 400 members from colleges and universities. Members of the IHSA participate in horse shows. Students compete at eight levels, from beginner through advanced, with provided horses. Founded in 1967 by Bob Cacchione, it has 10,000 members in 47 U.S. states and Canada. IHSA college and university team participation is represented through varsity athletics, academic departments and club sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Equitation</span> Art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship

Equitation is the art or practice of horse riding or horsemanship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Equestrian Federation</span> Organization and national governing body for many equestrian sports in the US

The United States Equestrian Federation is the national governing body for most equestrian sports in the United States. It began on January 20, 1917, as the Association of American Horse Shows, later changed to the American Horse Shows Association (AHSA). In 2001, the organization changed its name to USA Equestrian (USAE) and, in 2003 it merged with the United States Equestrian Team (USET). In 2017, USEF rebranded as US Equestrian. In 2019, USEF outsourced its laboratory services to the University of Kentucky.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show hunter</span>

The Hunter division is a branch of horse show competition that is judged on the horse's performance, soundness and when indicated, conformation, suitability or manners. A "show hunter" is a horse that competes in this division.

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Hunt seat is a style of forward seat riding commonly found in North American horse shows. Along with dressage, it is one of the two classic forms of English riding. The hunt seat is based on the tradition of fox hunting. Hunt seat competition in North America includes both flat and over fences for show hunters, which judge the horse's movement and form, and equitation classes, which judge the rider's ability both on the flat and over fences. The term hunt seat may also refer to any form of forward seat riding, including the kind seen in show jumping and eventing.

George H. Morris is an American equestrian. He won team silver in show jumping at the 1960 Rome Olympics and is considered a founding father of hunt seat equitation. He was chef d'equipe for the United States show jumping team, which won Olympic gold under his leadership, from 2005 until 2013. He also served as chef d'equipe for the Brazilian show jumping team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Throughout his career, Morris has been a "proponent of the forward seat" and wrote several books on the subject, including Hunter Seat Equitation. Morris trained students at his Hunterdon Stables and traveling clinics, producing nationally and internationally successful riders, including Olympic champions. In 2019, after a United States Center for SafeSport investigation, Morris was banned for life from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) due to sexual misconduct with minors. Morris is likewise banned from coaching international teams for any country.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Fast Facts | Events | Washington International Horse Show". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  2. "Riders for the Longines Washington International Horse Show CSI 5*-W". JUMPER NEWS. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  3. "Washington International Horse Show". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  4. 1 2 3 "Historical Highlights of the Washington International Horse Show". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  5. "Frequently Asked Questions | Washington International Horse Show". wihs.org. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01.
  6. John Domen (20 October 2022). "Washington International Horse Show to return to Prince George's Co. - WTOP News". WTOP News. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  7. Mauldin, Lauren (2019-10-22). "Becoming WIHS: Horses Return to the City". The Plaid Horse Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  8. 1 2 3 "WIHS Prize List, Entry Blank". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  9. 1 2 "WIHS Equitation". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  10. 1 2 3 "WIHS Competition Results". www.wihs.org. Retrieved 2020-05-14.