The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), the leading year-end championship horse show in the country, is pleased to announce the popular kid-centric Barn Night will return to the show on Thursday Oct. 27, 2011. The 53rd Annual Washington International Horse Show will take place Oct. 25-30 at Verizon Center in Washington, DC.
Starting at 6:00 PM, Thursday, Oct. 27, WIHS will welcome local barns and horse enthusiasts for Barn Night 2011. Barn Night offers a fun and exciting evening for riders, their barnmates, friends, and families to celebrate equestrian sport and pay tribute to those that excel at all levels of hunter jumper competition.
“We are creating a spectacular night of exciting competition and special exhibitions by equestrian stars, as well as interactive contests for kids and teens with great prizes,” said show Executive Director, Bridget Love Meehan.
Breyer Animal Creations will be joining Barn Night this year with Stablemates Painting on the concourse, free for kids 12 and under. In addition, special prizes will be given out for the first 100 kids to arrive for the big night courtesy of Breyer.
The new schedule is packed with action, including a High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper class and Mutton Bustin’ exhibition before the much anticipated Gambler’s Choice Open Jumper Costume Class. There are fun contests, activities and events for people of all ages to enjoy. The Largest Group Contest will be awarded the Grand Prize of a Kawasaki ATV courtesy of Gaithersburg Equipment Company. The three individual largest groups (Maryland, Virginia, and Other States-and-DC) each will receive terrific prizes from Dover Saddlery.
“We are excited to announce our second annual nationwide WIHS Video Contest as a way for horse enthusiasts to showcase their love of the sport and video creativity,” said Meehan. This year’s theme is “Lessons Learned through Riding” and the top videos will be shown on the Verizon Center Jumbotron. The winner will be awarded a special prize.
Additional activities include a Banner contest, rider autographs and a Spirit contest where groups will compete to show off their barn or spirit in the stands and appear up on the Verizon Center Jumbotron throughout the evening!
Barn night will be better than ever thanks to the support of the National Harbor, Gaithersburg Equipment Company, Dover Saddlery, Breyer Animal Creations and media partners, The Equiery and Virginia Horse Journal.
Special discounted group ticket packages are available at Verizon Center Box Office or by calling Verizon Center Group Sales Desk at (202) 661-5061.
Go to www.wihs.org to sign up to participate in all the contests and for more information.
About the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org)
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with leading riders, including Olympic medalists, and the country’s leading horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show. Highlights include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, the Puissance high-jump competition; and WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Special exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities will round out this family-friendly event. 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, DC.
Press Contact: Press Link/Diana De Rosa, dderosa1@optonline.net, 516-848-4867
Washington International Horse Show: media@wihs.org, 202-525-3679