Mary Elizabeth Cordia, youth ambassador of the 2014 Washington International Horse Show, with her Warmblood gelding, Welcome, at the 2014 Upperville Colt & Horse Show. Photo © Emily Ambach.

Washington, D.C. – June 12, 2014 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events, is pleased to announce Mary Elizabeth Cordia of Alexandria, Va. as youth ambassador of the 2014 show. Cordia, 16, attends St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria.

“We are delighted to welcome Mary Elizabeth as youth ambassador for 2014,” said Bridget Love Meehan, WIHS Executive Director. “With her passion for horses, her creativity, energy and strong team ethic, and her commitment to service and community, she will be a wonderful addition to the WIHS team.”

In her role as youth ambassador, Cordia will be the youth spokesperson for the show and chair the WIHS junior committee, a group of students from local area schools, who together initiate and work on youth programs and community-focused educational events, such as Barn Night and Kids’ Day. Both the youth ambassador program and junior committee began in 2009. Members are invited to join through an application process each spring.

Cordia, an avid equestrian, started riding and showing on a small pony and now competes in equitation and children’s jumper events. She is trained by Jenny Graham of Cedar Creek Farm in Sterling, Va.

“I can’t ever remember not loving horses,” she said. “For my seventh birthday, I was surprised with my first riding lesson, and I never looked back.”

After attending the Washington International for many years as a spectator, in 2011 she rode at Verizon Center for the first time and the following year she won the WIHS Regional Hunter Championship. That same year she received the inaugural Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship, given by WIHS in memory of Laura Pickett, a dedicated and well-loved local trainer, and presented to an up-and-coming rider and their trainer for enthusiasm, dedication, style and commitment to excellence in horsemanship.

When not riding, Cordia is an active volunteer. As student ambassador at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School, she represents the school by giving tours to prospective students. She is also an official year book photographer, her other passion besides horses. (Several years ago, she started a horse show photography business, Clip Clop Click Photography.) She currently co-chairs the Virginia Horse Show Association junior committee.

“Through these experiences I’ve learned the importance of teamwork,” said Cordia. “I’ve learned that you should never ask someone to do something that you would never do yourself. I’ve also learned that hard work really does pay off. I’ve learned by watching former youth ambassadors Hanna Powers and Elizabeth Kruse, and would like to follow their model of hard work, enthusiasm and fun.”

The 2014 WIHS junior committee is made up of 20 students from public, charter and private schools in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

“Interest in our WIHS junior committee and youth ambassador program continues to grow,” said Meehan. “It’s terrific to see the kids working together throughout the summer and fall, and the incredible energy, great ideas and enthusiasm they bring to the projects they take on.”

Members of the 2014 WIHS junior committee: Chair: Youth Ambassador Mary Elizabeth Cordia. Members: Lily Barber, Terry Daniels, Miriam Dupree, Kiki Konopnicki, Elizabeth Kruse, Olivia McCarren, Caroline McGranahan, Rachel Michael, Alexis Mozeleski, Hanna Powers, Natalie Ralston, Gaby Ruff, Emily Schlosberg, Casey Schmitz, Jenny Searles, Chace Simmons, Mollie Thomas, Natalie Wachowiak and Jenna Zimmerman.

The 56th annual Washington International Horse Show will be held October 21-26, 2014, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

2014 Junior Committee
Washington International Horse Show

Chair: Mary Elizabeth Cordia, 16, WIHS Youth Ambassador, 2014. Attends St. Stephens & St. Agnes School. Started riding on her 7th birthday. Recipient of the Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship at WIHS in 2012. Member since 2013.

Lily Barber, 16, attends Langley High School. Member since 2014.

Terry Daniels, 17, attends KIPP DC: College Prep. Started riding four years ago and also loves trying new foods. Member since 2011.

Miriam Dupree, 16, attends The Potomac School. Started riding at 3 years old. Loves hiking and traveling. Member since 2013.

Kiki Konopnicki, 16, attends St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School. Enjoys photography and basketball. Member since 2014.

Elizabeth Kruse, 17, attends Langley High School. Competed at WIHS for the first time in 2012. Youth Ambassador in 2013. Member since 2012.

Olivia McCarren, 13, attends Westland Middle School. Started riding when she was 7. Member since 2012.

Caroline McGranahan, 16, attends Langley High School. She started riding about age 10 and is a huge Washington Nationals fan. Member since 2013.

Rachel Michael, 15, attends The Madeira School. Started riding when she was 6. Member since 2011.

Alexis Mozeleski, 17, attends Washington International School. Riding since age 7. Loves writing. Member since 2012.

Hanna Powers, 17, attends The Madeira School. Youth Ambassador in 2012. Member since 2012.

Natalie Ralston, 15, attends Langley High School. Riding since age 7. Plays the flute. Member since 2013.

Gaby Ruff, 17, attends Thomas Edison High School. Started riding at age 12. Loves macaroons. Member since 2011.

Emily Schlosberg, 16, attends Robinson Secondary School. Enjoys traveling. Member since 2012.

Casey Schmitz, 16, attends Stone Bridge High School. Began riding at age 5. Likes to go fishing and anything chocolate! Member since 2013.

Jenny Searles, 15, homeschooled. Started riding at age 7. Represented Maryland in the 4-H Eastern National Horse Bowl competition last year in Louisville, Ky. Member since 2013.

Chace Simmons, 16, attends Colonial Forge High School. Started riding at 5 and now competes in show jumping. She rides with Brooke Kemper. Likes art and architectural design. Member since 2013.

Mollie Thomas, 16, attends The Madeira School. Started riding at age 5. Enjoys swimming. Member since 2014.

Natalie Wachowiak, 16, attends South River High School. Began riding at age 6. Competes at local shows. Loves to make videos. Member since 2012.

Jenna Zimmerman, 13, attends Kilmer Middle School. Enjoys dancing and listening to music. Member since 2014.

About the Washington International Horse Show
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 fabulous horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show. Highlights include the $125,000 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, D.C.

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