WASHINGTON — August 21, 2014 — The 2014 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals will be held on October 17-19 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The USEF “Regional II” rated show offers fantastic competition for local riders. Along with the USHJA Zone 3 Finals, the show hosts the MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals and the VHSA Children’s and Adult Medals.

As one of the best shows on the local show circuit and named a USHJA Member’s Choice competition, the WIHS Regional offers the opportunity for area riders to qualify for the Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center (October 21-26). Riders may qualify for the WIHS Regional Finals for horses and ponies as well as the WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships. The 2014 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals Prize List can be found at www.wihs.org/wihs-regional. Entries will be accepted electronically through HorseShowing.com.

The featured class at the WIHS Regional is the MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals on Friday, October 17, at 6 p.m. in the Show Place Arena. An ice cream social will be held for all exhibitors to enjoy and watch the class. The top riders in the Finals will receive prizes courtesy of sponsors Charles Owen, RJ Classics, Andrea Steuhr Equine Therapy, SmartPak and Kimberley Gatto.

New to the WIHS Regional schedule are Children’s and Adult Jumpers as qualifying classes for WIHS Jumper Championships, and a Junior Hunter 3’3” division will be offered at the Zone 3 Finals. Grand Championships will be awarded for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Children’s Hunter Ponies. A pizza party for exhibitors is on Saturday, October 18.

Nominations will be open during the WIHS Regional for the third annual Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship. Visit www.wihs.org/wihs-regional for nomination forms. This year’s winner will also receive a pair of custom-made E. Vogel boots. The award, generously donated by WIHS President Vicki Lowell in memory of Laura Pickett, will be presented to the adult or child rider and their trainer, who best exhibit the enthusiasm, dedication, style and commitment to excellent horsemanship that brings out the best in horse and rider at the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals. The trophy presentation will take place center ring on Barn Night at the 56th Annual Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center.

All of the classes at the WIHS Regional Horse Show are open to all horses and ponies not already qualified for WIHS, regardless of geographical location. Only horses and ponies owned or leased by exhibitors living within 100 miles of Washington, D.C., are eligible for the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals at Verizon Center on Sunday, October 26. In addition, the Regional Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper champions can qualify for the WIHS Championships at Verizon Center on Tuesday, October 21 (hunters) and Wednesday, October 22 (jumpers).

The WIHS Regional is proud to host the USHJA Zone 3 Finals again this year. Letters of invitation to riders eligible for the USHJA Zone 3 Finals will be emailed in mid-September. Approximately the top 20 horses in each division, based on total USHJA points, will be invited. If invitations are not accepted, additional horses will be invited.

Zone 3 Finals will be held for the following divisions: Junior Hunter 3’3”, Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35, Adult Amateur Hunter 36 & Over, Children’s Hunter 14 & Under, Children’s Hunter 15-17, Children’s Hunter Pony Small/Medium, Children’s Hunter Pony Large, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Low Children’s/Adult Jumper.

The Washington International Horse Show team offers their sincerest appreciation and thanks to all exhibitors, trainers, owners, sponsors, volunteers, staff and friends for making the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals such a wonderful stop on the equestrian calendar and looks forward to seeing everyone in October. For more information on the 2014 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals, please visit www.wihs.org.

About the Washington International Horse Show
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s premier metropolitan indoor horse show. Each October, more than 500 world-class horses and riders, including Olympic medalists, arrive in Washington for six days of exciting show jumping and hunter competition. Highlights include the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (a World Cup qualifier), the Puissance (high jump) and the WIHS Equitation Finals, an important goal for top American junior riders. Exciting equestrian exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities, such as Kids’ Day and Breakfast with the Mounted Police, round out this family-friendly event. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington, DC, institution attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages. Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

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