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Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Tim Gredley and Unex Valente Win $25,000 Puissance

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Tim Gredley and Unex Valente clear 2.10m. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

McLain Ward and Wings Top $50,000 Open Jumper Speed Final; Hymowitz and Strauss Victorious in Junior/Amateur-Owners Jumpers; Sommers, Hymowitz and MacPherson Tie for Grand Junior Hunter Championship

Washington, D.C – October 25, 2013 – The 55th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Friday, October 25, with an exciting day of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The $25,000 Open Jumper Puissance, presented by The Boeing Company, was the highlight class of the evening with a win for Great Britain’s Tim Gredley and Unex Competition Yard’s Unex Valente, clearing the imposing wall in five rounds up to a height of 2.10m.

McLain Ward (USA) topped the $50,000 Open Jumper Speed Final, Cloe Hymowitz and Katherine Strauss triumphed in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers, and Meredith Darst took the early lead in the Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals Hunter Phase. Samantha Sommers, Lili Hymowitz, and Megan MacPherson all finished in a three-way tie for the Grand Junior Hunter Championship. Sommers was also named Best Child Rider on a Horse for 2013.

WIHS continues through Sunday, October 27. The $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier presented by Events DC, will be the highlight class on Saturday, October 26.

Venezuela’s Leopoldo Palacios is the course designer for the jumpers at WIHS this week. Palacios set the wall for the evening’s $25,000 Puissance at 1.70m in height and continued through five rounds up to 2.10m (6’11”). The Armed Forces Cup, presented by The Boeing Company, was awarded to Gredley and Unex Valente for clearing the 2.10m wall in the final round. Gredley also accepted The Congressman’s Challenge Trophy, donated by the Late Honorable Rogers C.B. Morton and the Late Honorable F. Robert Watkins, on behalf of Unex Competition Yard Ltd. as the owner of the winning horse.

The class began with four fences to clear, including a vertical, oxer, and triple-bar leading up to the wall set at a starting height of 1.70m. McLain Ward and his brand new mount, Kroner Z, had an unfortunate stop at the triple-bar that immediately took them out of the running. The four other competitors, including Aaron Vale (USA) and DaSilva Equine LLC’s Smartie, Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Walstib Stables LLC’s Aragon Rouet, Charlie Jayne (USA) and Pony Lane Farm’s Uraya, and Tim Gredley aboard Unex Valente all cleared the first round to advance.

Those four competitors also cleared the wall in round two at 1.80m and round three at 1.90m in height to continue to a fourth round. Darragh Kenny and Aragon Rouet knocked the blocks off the wall at 2.00m to conclude their evening, while the other three attempted another increase. In the fifth and final round, Vale and Jayne were not able to clear the obstacle, and that left Tim Gredley and Unex Valente to jump 2.10m to win top prize.

Gredley and Unex Valente have jumped in a few Puissance classes together and won them at the Alltech National Horse Show in 2012 and the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in 2013. Valente is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding by Gentleman x Sit This One Out that Gredley has owned since the horse was four years old. They have a trusting partnership that helps with jumping the big wall.

“A lot depends on the horse,” Gredley said after his win. “He gives you the confidence to ride it the right way. He just has brilliant technique for it. He is very good in the front and learning to be really good behind. He’s very versatile, and I think in order to jump a very big wall they have to have a bit of quality and be very brave, as well.”

Gredley and Valente have attempted the 2.38m record twice now and had the wall down both times. He made some changes today and will try for two in a row at the Alltech National Horse Show in Kentucky next week. “I changed a few things around today, including the bridle, and he felt like he was jumping really well behind today, so it would be nice to try it with this kind of arrangement,” Gredley noted. “With this horse, it isn’t me being arrogant, he just makes it easy. He loves it, and I trust the horse so much.”

Talking strategy, Gredley explained, “To be honest, the first round is the most difficult. You want to get into a rhythm. Everyone has a different way of doing it. Some people like to wait and pull, I like to just keep coming at the wall and set him up a couple of strides out. The first round is always more worrying for me than any of the others. Once I feel that I have a rhythm on him and everything feels good, it is not a problem after that.”

McLain Ward and Wings
McLain Ward and Wings

McLain Ward and the 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Wings (Lexicon x Jersey) were the winners in the $50,000 International Open Jumper Speed Final, a faults converted class sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch. Twenty-five entries jumped the course and five cleared the obstacles without fault. Ward and Wings jumped with ease in a blazing fast time of 51.35 seconds for the win.

Wings is an experienced jumper that Ward originally purchased for his wife to ride, but ended up showing himself. “Someone called me in January about him because he was getting a bit older,” he explained. “I bought him for Lauren, and he actually ended up being a little too careful for her, so I confiscated the ride. He was good for me this summer. He won a couple Grand Prix at Saugerties and won one class and was second in another at Harrisburg. He is actually an easy horse to ride, but electric-careful.”

“He needs a solid ride; he’s not one to take a joke,” Ward described. “He is a fifteen-year-old horse and has shown very successfully with a Dutch rider for many years, so he has jumped a lot of indoor shows. This is his first time here with me, but he certainly has a lot of miles.”

Talking about Palacios’ track for the night, Ward remarked, “The course was very difficult. It was quite twisty and turny. There was a lot of misdirection. The horses didn’t really know where they were going. It helped to have a nice old horse. He has a big stride, and he is a quick horse by nature. There was that big question at the end, the inside turn to the pink vertical, and I felt where I went in the order that was very risky. I felt that if I was fast up and to the Hermes vertical, that I would go around and take my chances and it would put enough pressure on them. I think you had to do the inside turn to catch my time and I don’t know how doable it was.”

Twenty-year-old Katie Dinan (USA), to a second place finish in 53.14 seconds riding Grant Road Partners’ Glory Days. Another up-and-coming young rider, Meagan Nusz (USA), finished third in 53.31 seconds with Amalaya Investments’ Vesuvius. Callan Solem (USA) and Horseshoe Trail Farms’ VDL Wizard were fourth with a time of 55.56 seconds.

Sommers, Hymowitz and MacPherson Earn Top Junior Hunter Awards

The Junior Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition at WIHS on Friday morning with the presentation of championship awards. The Grand Junior Hunter Championship, sponsored by Roseknoll Sporthorse and Victoria Holstein-Childress, ended in a three-way tie between Samantha Sommers and Oscany, Inc.’s Small Celebration, Lili Hymowitz riding Danielle Staci’s Tiffani, and Megan MacPherson aboard Meridian Partners’ Good Humor. The three young ladies and their horses shared the winner’s circle and were presented with The Ides of March Perpetual Trophy, donated by Linda Lee and Lee Reynolds.

Samantha Sommers and Small Celebration
Samantha Sommers and Small Celebration

Eighteen-year-old Samantha Sommers of Malibu, CA, had a fantastic two days of competition with her top mounts, Small Celebration and Small Affair, in the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division sponsored by Chansonette Farm. Sommers and Small Celebration earned the individual division championship on their way to the grand honors with first, second and fourth place ribbons over fences and a second under saddle. They were awarded The Chance Step Perpetual Trophy, donated by Brooke Carmichael McMurray-Fowler and Pam Carmichael Keenan.

Sommers also earned the division’s reserve championship riding Iwasaki and Reilly’s Small Affair to two first place ribbons and a fifth over fences. The pair’s stake score of 95 was the best Junior Hunter stake round of the day, the highest score of the week so far and Sommer’s best score ever. For that, they were presented with the The Lyrik Challenge Trophy, donated by Ashley and Courtney Kennedy. Sommers was then named the 2013 Best Child Rider on a Horse and earned the special DiVecchia Perpetual Trophy. The award was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Crown; the trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frederick DiVecchia.

Sommers, a cinema student at the University of Southern California, bought Small Celebration from trainer John French two years ago. The eight-year-old Hanoverian mare by Embassy I has shown mainly with French and rider Olivia Esse. When Esse went off to college, Sommers started showing Small Celebration and the partnership has worked out very well.

“She was awesome and brilliant in the handy and she was great in the under saddle,” Sommers noted. “I knew she’d get a top ribbon there. Overall you can tell she wasn’t too tired or wired. She walks in the ring and she wants to win. I just had a lot of fun on her.”

Sommers also has a great relationship with reserve champion, Small Affair. Small Affair is a 10-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Elf d’Or owned by Chris Iwasaki and Elizabeth Reilly of Calabasas, CA. Small Affair gave Sommers the ride of a lifetime this week with their high score of 95 in the stake round.

“That’s the highest score I’ve ever gotten,” Sommers beamed. “Yesterday when I got the 93 on Small Affair, I thought, ‘That’s my highest score at indoors.’ Then I got the 95 today, and it was my highest score ever! I was really happy with how Small Celebration went in the stake too. I didn’t put pressure on myself to win the highest score in the stake but I was like, ‘That’d be fun!’ I just went in and thought I already did well on her, and thought I had nothing to lose.”

On the honor of being Best Child Rider, she smiled, “I’m very excited. We were just taking the championship picture and we heard it over the intercom. John got all excited. He’s very serious when working with him, but when I got the 95 and got off, he ran and gave me a hug. I think that was the best moment of the day! It means a lot when they’re so proud and happy for you.”

“I’m so happy and I’m happy to share the Grand title,” she continued. “It was like you won it, but you didn’t. It was nice that we could all share it. This is my last year as a junior, so it’s a little emotional. I’ll probably be on the airplane home thinking, ‘I want to do it again!’ At the same time, it’s good to end on a good note.”

On their way to the tie for grand champion, Megan MacPherson of Boulder, CO, and Good Humor won the Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division championship. They placed first, second and second over fences and fourth under saddle. O’Ryan and Meghan Flanagan finished in reserve with a third place under saddle and first, third and sixth place ribbons over fences.

MacPherson has had Good Humor, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Vigaro 2, for two years. She bought him in Kentucky after watching the horse compete with professional rider Hunt Tosh.

“He’s so easy. He’s like a Children’s Hunter. I’ve never ridden an easier horse,” MacPherson described. “We were sitting in the stands at Harrisburg with my trainer Stacia (Madden) and she said, ‘What do you think about that horse Good Humor?’ and I said ‘I love it. It’s young and Hunt does a really good job with it.’ At that point he had been champion at Harrisburg, Devon, here, all in the First and Second Years. We were all over it.”

This is MacPherson’s second year showing at WIHS. “I like the energy. It’s so unique,” she stated. “There’s no other show like it. I like this show a lot.”

Tiffani and Lili Hymowitz of New York, NY, got their names into the grand championship as well with a win in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division sponsored by Entrust. The pair placed first, second and third over fences and were also third under saddle. Bergen Sanderford and Happenstance repeated their reserve performance from 2012 with a win in the under saddle and first and sixth place ribbons over fences.

Fourteen-year-old Lili Hymowitz has been riding Tiffani, a 10-year-old Holsteiner mare by Chello I, since this past winter and this was a big win for the duo. The mare originally competed in the High Junior Jumpers but has shown her top form as a hunter with trainer Scott Stewart. This was Tiffani’s first time showing in the Junior Hunters at WIHS as well as the first Junior Hunter championship at any final for the young rider.

“Even though she’s new to this, I did feel confident going in there,” Hymowitz stated. “Ever since she’s started doing the hunters, I’ve never been scared to go in. She feels comfortable, so I trust her a lot. It’s obviously a lot cooler to win this here than anywhere else.”

“She’s amazing,” Hymowitz noted. “She always brings her best out at big shows. I got her in the middle of WEF (the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival) this year. When I tried her she was really ‘jumpery,’ but Scott does that. He finds the great ones.”

The final championship of the day was for the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division with a double tricolor presentation for Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL. Colvin earned the championship with Dr. Betsee Parker’s Ovation and finished in reserve with Parker’s Canadian Blue. Ovation won under saddle and placed second, third and fourth over fences. Canadian Blue won both classes over fences on Thursday.

The final Junior Hunter award of the day was another three-way tie for the high score Junior Hunter riding his or her own horse. The Georgetown Trophy, sponsored by Sheila and Britton Sanderford, was awarded to Megan MacPherson and Good Humor, Cloe Hymowitz and Rose Hill Farm’s Joyful, and Hunter Holloway and Hays Investment Corporation’s Cascina for their scores of 90 in their respective divisions.

Junior/Amateur-Owners Go for Speed

The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by Ellen and Daniel Crown, went earlier in the day and saw a win for Katherine Strauss of Southampton, NY, riding her 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding Chellando Z (by Chellano Z). The pair earned the Cover Story Perpetual Trophy donated by Rolling Acres Farm for the fastest clear round in 44.25 seconds. Out of 23 entries, eight cleared the course without fault.

Yesterday’s winners, Charlotte Jacobs and Deeridge Farms’ Kachina, finished second in 44.75 seconds. Kalvin Dobbs and Treesdale Farms’ Winde were third in 46.10 seconds, and Haley Schaufeld finished fourth in 46.15 seconds riding Harley 86.

The $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed class, sponsored by North Star, saw a victory for Cloe Hymowitz of New York, NY, with Rose Hill Farm’s Bon Vivant, who were also the winners of yesterday’s jump-off class in the division. Twenty-two entries showed in the class with seven clear rounds. Hymowitz and Bon Vivant had the fastest time of 43.97 seconds to earn The Eleanor White O’Leary Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

Michael Hughes and Drumnacross Farm’s stopped the clock in 45.76 seconds to finish second. Alexandra Crown and Starnato placed third in 48.04 seconds, and Charlotte Jacobs and North Star’s Cyrina Z were fourth in 48.13 seconds.

Equitation Begins with Hunter Phase

In addition to Junior Hunter championships on Friday’s day session, Verizon Center hosted the hunter phase of the Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals with an early lead for Meredith Darst of Lebanon, OH, with a score of 88.75 riding Elizabeth Gabler’s Soldier. Close behind, Kelli Cruciotti scored an 87 with Nicole Lyvere’s Cincinatti. Caitlin Boyle finished the day in third with a score of 86.75 riding Micaela Kennedy’s Loredo. Michael Hughes and Whipstick Farm Ltd.’s Joey stand fourth with a score of 86.25, and Victoria Colvin placed fifth with her score of 86 riding Monsieur du Reverdy.

The Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals will continue tomorrow with all riders returning for the jumper phase. The hunter and jumper scores will then be averaged out to determine the top ten riders who will participate in the final work-off. The riders change horses by determination of a random draw by lot and then compete over the jumper course for final scores.

The competition will also continue on Saturday with the opening classes for the pony hunters followed by the $5,000 Senator’s Cup Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by North Star, and the $10,000 Ambassador’s Cup SJHOF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, sponsored by Ellen and Daniel Crown. The jumper phase for the Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals will close out the afternoon session.

The evening session begins at 7 p.m. with the Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals work-off with the top 10 riders. The $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier presented by Events DC, will conclude the night.

For those who cannot make it to the show, it will be live streamed in its entirety at www.wihs.org, and is also available on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com.

The Washington International Horse Show Silent Auction is now available online with an easy-to-use bidding website. Don’t miss your chance to win special items that range from a private riding lesson with Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden to a Private Decorating Party at Georgetown Cupcake Lab. Other incredible items include two tickets to Saturday Night Live’s live show, a diamond horseshoe pin from Tiny Jewel Box, full show attire from The Saddlery, and much, much more. Bid from your computer or smart phone at home, at the barn, at work, or anywhere you have Internet – just go to http://wihs.maestroweb.com.

The Acela Club on the Sky Box level of Verizon Center is the perfect place to socialize with friends and a wonderful vantage point for watching the action in the ring. WIHS is hosting three special social events and we hope you’ll join us! Have fun, watch great sport and support worthy local organizations. Party tickets include dinner and an open bar. $150/per person. Order by phone at 202-525-3679 or visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

Along with six days of world-class competition, WIHS features a unique boutique shopping experience for exhibitors and spectators alike. The main concourse at Verizon Center brings together a diverse group of vendors for everyone’s shopping enjoyment. Shoppers can find everything from equestrian tack and apparel to fine art and jewelry. This year’s show features over 50 vendor stands and boutiques for all of your shopping needs throughout the week.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Kent Farrington and Blue Angel Victorious in $33,000 Welcome Stake at WIHS

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Kent Farrington and Blue Angel. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina Win Gambler’s Choice; Hymowitz and Jacobs Triumph in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers

Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2013 – The 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Thursday with the first day of classes for the Junior Hunters and several International Open Jumper and Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

The International Open Jumpers had two classes with a win for Kent Farrington (USA) and Robin Parksy’s Blue Angel in the $33,000 International Open Jumper Welcome Stake. Top honors in the $20,000 Gambler’s Choice costume class went to Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and Sweet Oak Farm’s Solerina. The Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers competed as well with a win for Cloe Hymowitz and Rose Hill Farm’s Bon Vivant in the Low division and Charlotte Jacobs aboard Deeridge Farms’ Kachina in the High division.

WIHS continues through Sunday, October 27, with lots of exciting action throughout the weekend. Highlights include the $25,000 Puissance sponsored by The Boeing Company on Friday, October 25, and the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier presented by Events DC, on Saturday, October 26. All evening performances will begin at 7 p.m. EST.

In addition to the competition, Thursday was the always popular “Barn Night,” presented by Dover Saddlery. Barn Night at WIHS is a favorite with local young riders and horse enthusiasts who attend in groups and have a chance to enter contests, win big prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening.

Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer for the jumpers this week at WIHS. In the day’s $33,000 Welcome Stake, Palacios saw 30 entries contest his first round course with ten advancing to the jump-off. Eight of those were also clear over the short course, and Kent Farrington and the 11-year-old Anglo European mare Blue Angel (by Luidam) raced to victory in 31.38 seconds to win The Ben O’Meara Memorial Challenge Trophy.

Beezie Madden (USA) and Coral Reef Ranch’s Coral Reef Via Volo finished second with a time of 31.47 seconds. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Ludo Philippaerts’ Cortez placed third in 32.49 seconds, and Darragh Kenny (IRL) and Postage Stamp Farm LLC’s Prof de la Roque were fourth in 32.57 seconds.

Blue Angel has been a top mount for Farrington this year and continues to prove herself as a powerful international competitor. “I think she was always a good horse, we just got to know each other a little bit better and she has become more consistent,” he said of the mare’s development. “She kind of started off good and has only gotten better.”

Farrington has been competing at WIHS for many years, winning the WIHS Equitation Finals as a junior in 1999, and continuing on into his professional career. He explained that the atmosphere and environment of showing indoors makes this an exciting competition each year.

“I love showing indoors. I think it is a lot of fun,” Farrington stated. “It is all fast tracks, and usually there is a pretty good crowd. In general, the indoor shows get a good attendance. You come here with your best horses, and you just focus on those and there is always good competition, so I enjoy that.”

Blue Angel seemed to enjoy showing indoors as well and Farrington noted that the environment fits her style. “She is very quick,” he said. “She is great in that she can add a stride very quickly, and she has a very soft mouth. I think that is a big advantage inside, so I think it suits the horse.”

For the jump-off, Farrington chose a plan that played to his horse’s strengths and she stepped up to the plate. “With that horse, I just try really not to get too much in her way and have a quick track,” he detailed. “She is not always the best at rolling back to fences, so from fence one to two I went a little bit wide with more pace probably than some of the other riders did just because that suited the horse. Then once she is in gear, I can kind of just let her go.”

Blue Angel is the only horse Farrington will show this week and he plans to now save her for Saturday night’s $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. He looks forward to seeing what Palacios has planned on course.

Sweetnam and Solerina Top $20,000 Gambler’s Choice Costume Class

The $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume Class is always an exciting event at WIHS, especially with Barn Night and thousands of young fans cheering on the riders. In tonight’s class, Irish rider Shane Sweetnam jumped to victory dressed as a keg of beer riding Sweet Oak Farm’s Solerina. The duo earned 960 points over the course and jumped clean over the Joker fence for an additional 200 points. Their 1160 total was the winning score.

Shane Sweetnam and Solerina
Shane Sweetnam and Solerina

For his victory, Sweetnam was presented with the Crown Royal Trophy, donated by Crown Royal, as the winning rider. Solerina, a 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare by Cruising, won The Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Washington International Horse Show, as the winning horse.

Beezie Madden (USA) dressed as her signature bumble bee riding Abigail Wexner’s Vanilla and scored 1100 points to place second. Spiderman, a.k.a. Conor Swail (IRL), and Susan Grange’s Ariana finished third with 1090 points. “Dr.” McLain Ward (USA) and Wings had the same 1090 total and a slower time placed them in fourth.

Shane Sweetnam has a good record with Gambler’s Choice classes, finishing third in the class at WIHS two times and winning one in Harrisburg last year as well as placing in several others. He came up with a good plan tonight, and it paid off.

“I’m good at math so I have a good plan I think, even with knocking a fence,” he stated. “Normally I have a decent plan. You have to leave the jumps up for the course.”

Sweetnam’s mount, Solerina, is a successful horse and always puts in a great effort. “She has a lot of character, (and) she’s had great results since I’ve had her,” Sweetnam described. “She likes to stay in a rhythm. She really enjoys her jumping, so once she gets her eye on the jump she’s normally trying for you, so I can just jump-jump-turn. She’s naturally very quick.”

On his costume choice, Sweetnam explained that good friend Charlie Jayne gets him a costume each year and they have a good time with it. “It’s good fun,” he smiled. “We enjoy this class every year. We have a bit of banter about it, so I’m glad I beat him this year again.”

The cheering and great support of the Barn Night crowd also gets the riders into the fun mood. “It’s brilliant,” Sweetnam said of Barn Night. “It’s a very good idea. All evening it’s been buzzing between the pony racing and the High (Jr/AO) Jumper class and this class. There’s a big crowd and great atmosphere and those people understand show jumping as well, which is great. I really enjoy it.”

Hymowitz and Jacobs Triumph in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers

The Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper jump-off class, sponsored by North Star, was held on Thursday afternoon with 22 entries and five advancing to the jump-off. Three competitors jumped double clear and Cloe Hymowitz of New York, NY, had the fast time of 29.876 seconds aboard Bon Vivant for the win. The pair was presented the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy.

Sima Morgello and Zopala placed second in 32.500 seconds. Third place honors went to Lauren Fischer and Norton de la Sapaie in 37.094 seconds.

Cloe Hymowitz and Bon Vivant
Cloe Hymowitz and Bon Vivant

Hymowitz purchased Bon Vivant, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Sire Major de la Cour, a year and a half ago. The pair has had success showing in North America and abroad this year, including a win in the CSI2* Longines Global Champions Tour competition in Vienna, Austria.

Hymowitz showed in the Children’s Jumpers at WIHS in 2012 and just moved up to the Low Juniors this season. Bon Vivant is an experienced mount that has taught the rider quickly and helped her move up the ranks with the guidance of trainers Scott Stewart and Ken Berkley.

“Showing in the Lows is a new experience and a big step up,” Hymowitz noted. “It’s really exciting. It’s definitely difficult to compete at a higher level here because the rings are really hard to ride in. Everything comes up very quick, but it is good for him because he likes to go fast, so it worked out well for me.”

“He’s indescribable,” Hymowitz said of Bon Vivant. “He is really easy. He does it a lot on his own luckily, but he is really quick. You just have to go forward, and he will jump from any distance and any turn. I turned back really tight to the birch jump, and he just swings in the air and jumps clear. He’s the most amazing horse I have ever had.”

The High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper jump-off class, sponsored by Ellen and Daniel Crown, was held during the evening session with a win for Charlotte Jacobs of East Aurora, NY, riding Kachina. The pair was awarded The “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot, donated by The Curtin Family in honor of 1990 winner “Footloose”, who was ridden by Caroline Curtin.

Twenty-two entries showed over Palacios’ first round course and only three were able to jump clear to advance to the jump-off. Lucas Porter and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Patriot were the trailblazers and finished the short course with four faults in 27.598 seconds to place third. Catherine Tyree and Wetter were next to jump off and also incurred four faults and placed second with a faster time of 27.278 seconds. Last to go, Jacobs knew that she could win with a clear round and that is exactly what she did, stopping the clock in 29.080 seconds.

Jacobs went first in round one aboard Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Promised Land and was able to get a good feel for the course. She then jumped a clear round with Kachina, a 15-year-old Selle Francais mare by Voltaire, to make it into the jump-off. “I can always rely on her because she can always jump a clear round, and I know she is always going to try her hardest,” Jacobs said of the mare.

The biggest challenge was Kachina’s large size in the small arena, but she handled it easily.

“The course was nice,” Jacobs noted. “There were a lot of really short turns. The first jump was two strides off the turn and a lot of the jumps were really stuffed in there, and that was hard with the horse I won on because she is so big. She is 18 hands and she has this huge stride, and she is kind of hard to package. It’s hard enough indoors, but she really deals with it well and she is a great horse. Coming off of Harrisburg she definitely was used to it and she felt great. She jumped amazing.”

An added bonus to the evening’s win was getting to show in front of the enthusiastic Barn Night crowd. Although many of the horses in this division are not used to a packed arena, Jacobs’ horses both dealt with it perfectly and she enjoyed the excitement.

“It’s definitely fun because we don’t usually have crowds like this,” Jacobs stated. “It’s nice that they put the Junior Jumpers right before the open class and right before all of the big events. It’s on Barn Night, so there’s a huge crowd and it’s a lot of fun. They make it exciting.”

The Washington International Horse Show continues tomorrow with the championships for the Junior Hunter divisions as well as the hunter phase for the Hermès WIHS Equitation Classic Finals. The Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers will have speed classes in the afternoon session.

The evening session begins with a $50,000 Faults Converted Speed Final followed by an exhibition from the U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon military horses and an impressive performance by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon. The night closes with the $25,000 Puissance, presenting The Armed Forces Cup, sponsored by The Boeing Company.

Congratulations to all of our barn night winners!

Best Group Video

  • Champion: NFF Stables
    Prize: $500 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Reserve Champion: Loudoun County 4-H Horse Club
    Prize: $250 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Honorable Mentions (3): Rock Creek Park Horse Center, Dream Catcher Farm, Beyond A Bay
    Prize (3): $50 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificates

Best Group Banner

  • Champion: Autumn Grove Stables
    Prize: $500 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Reserve Champion: Tamarack Stables
    Prize: $250 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Honorable Mentions: Dream Catcher Farm, Cedar Creek Far, Beyond A Bay
    Prize: (3) $50 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificates

Largest Group

  • Largest Group Overall: Meadowbrook Stables
    Prize: Golf Cart courtesy of United Metro Golf Carts
  • Largest Group – Maryland: Enticement Stables
    Prize: $750 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Largest Group – Virginia: Loudoun County 4-H Horse Club
    Prize: $750 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate
  • Largest Group – DC/Other: Rock Creek Park Horse Center
    Prize: $750 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate

Best Group Spirit

  • Champion: Olney Farm
    Prize: Clinic with three-day eventing Olympian Will Coleman
  • Reserve Champion: NFF Stables
    Prize: Gift Certificate for team-wear courtesy of C&A Sportswear
  • Honorable Mentions (3): Urbana Riding Club, Autumn Grove Farm, Cedar Creek Farm
    Prize (3): $50 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate

For those who cannot make it to the show, it will be live streamed in its entirety at www.wihs.org, and is also available on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com.

The Washington International Horse Show Silent Auction is now available online with an easy-to-use bidding website. Don’t miss your chance to win special items that range from a private riding lesson with Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden to a Private Decorating Party at Georgetown Cupcake Lab. Other incredible items include two tickets to Saturday Night Live’s live show, a diamond horseshoe pin from Tiny Jewel Box, full show attire from The Saddlery, and much, much more. Bid from your computer or smart phone at home, at the barn, at work, or anywhere you have Internet – just go to http://wihs.maestroweb.com.

The Acela Club on the Sky Box level of Verizon Center is the perfect place to socialize with friends and a wonderful vantage point for watching the action in the ring. WIHS is hosting three special social events and we hope you’ll join us! Have fun, watch great sport and support worthy local organizations. Party tickets include dinner and an open bar. $150/per person. Order by phone at 202-525-3679 or visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

The Armed Forces Cup Reception will be featured from 7-10 p.m. on Friday featuring the launch of “Healthy Stables by Design” by John Blackburn to benefit five local therapeutic riding centers assisting military veterans: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Center, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding and Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Therapy Program.

The President’s Cup Party, presented by Washington Life, will run from 6:30-10 p.m. on Saturday night. Wear your best equestrian chic and honor Washington’s diplomatic community with presenting partner, Washington Life.

Along with six days of world-class competition, WIHS features a unique boutique shopping experience for exhibitors and spectators alike. The main concourse at Verizon Center brings together a diverse group of vendors for everyone’s shopping enjoyment. Shoppers can find everything from equestrian tack and apparel to fine art and jewelry. This year’s show features over 50 vendor stands and boutiques for all of your shopping needs throughout the week.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Awards, Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Kelley Farmer Wins 2013 WIHS Grand Hunter Championship and Leading Hunter Rider Award

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Kelley Farmer and Quotable. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Gochman and Portela Are Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champions; Knox and Duarte Victorious in Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships

Washington, D.C. – October 23, 2013 – Day two of the 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) featured the presentation of championship honors in the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. on Wednesday. Kelley Farmer was named Leading Hunter Rider after earning the overall Grand Hunter Championship with Quotable. Romance won the Grand Green Hunter Championship with Peter Pletcher in the irons, and Becky Gochman and Sambalino and Daryl Portela and Winner each earned Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championships. The $10,000 Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships and the first $10,000 Open Jumper speed class were featured during the evening session. The show will continue through Sunday, October 27.

Wednesday’s competition saw tricolor wins for four of the nation’s very best hunter riders from coast to coast with professionals Kelley Farmer (Keswick, VA), Scott Stewart (Wellington, FL), Peter Pletcher (Magnolia, TX), and John French (Woodside, CA) all taking trips to the winner’s circle.

In the Green Conformation Hunter championship, Kelley Farmer and Quotable shined with a clean sweep of the model, under saddle, and all three classes over fences. They were awarded The Valiant Hark Memorial Challenge Trophy, donated by Mrs. Stephen J. Clark. Farmer also rode her mount Skorekeeper, owned by D. Larry Glefke and Quail Run Partnerships, to the division’s reserve honors. Skorekeeper was second in all three classes over fences and placed third under saddle and fourth in the model.

Following an exceptional two days of competition, Quotable was awarded The Rave Review Challenge Trophy, donated by Stoney Hill, as the overall Grand Hunter Champion, and Farmer earned the Leading Hunter Rider Award, sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker. For the win, Farmer was presented with The Robert Coluccio Leading Hunter Rider Perpetual Trophy as well as a beautiful Rolex Luxury Timepiece, courtesy of Tiny Jewel Box. In addition to the grand championship, Quotable’s owners, D. Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, were presented with the Leading Hunter Owner Award sponsored by The Reid Family. Farmer was WIHS Leading Hunter Rider in 2010 as well and was happy to receive the honor once again with the ride on a fantastic young horse.

“It’s very special,” she stated. “My horses are the most important thing. It’s an honor, and I have to say it was an absolutely beautiful trophy that Betsee got. It’s special that it is in Robbie’s name. He is a good friend, and I’m honored to have won that.”

Quotable, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding, has been no stranger to the spotlight this year. In fact, this was his third grand hunter championship in a row this month after also taking top honors at the Capital Challenge Horse Show and the PA National Horse Show.

“Every indoors he has just gotten better and better,” Farmer stated. “For these kinds of horse shows, especially this one, they have to be quiet horses, not hard to prepare. That played a lot into my decision of which ones we wanted to bring. They have to ride well, they have to be perfect lead changers, they have to brave, and they have to be easy to get to the ring for this horse show. Good horses know when it matters and step up. Good horses know how to win, I believe.”

Describing Quotable’s style and the special quality that keeps placing him in the winner’s circle, Farmer described, “He’s so smooth. He’s such a beautiful picture and he has such a beautiful canter. It all matches. He walks in the ring and it looks right. You never have to pick up the reins. There’s mistakes, he has a rail or something, but in general he tries to win. He knows when you take him in the ring for the conformation; he kind of has this air about him. He knows he’s the real deal and he’s not wrong!”

In addition to her success with Quotable, Farmer also topped the first championship of the day with her mount Mythical, owned by D. Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, in the High Performance Working Hunters sponsored by The Wasserman Foundation. Farmer and Mythical placed first, second and third over fences and second under saddle to earn The “NOT ALWAYS” Challenge Trophy, donated by Miss Peggy Steinman. The High Performance reserve championship was presented to Dr. Betsee Parker’s Everly, ridden by Scott Stewart, with a win under saddle and second, second and third place ribbons over fences.

Mythical and Farmer were also presented with the very special Protocol Trophy, sponsored by Platinum Performance, as the overall High Point High Performance Working Hunter from the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, and Washington International Horse Show.

Farmer has a special connection with Mythical, a nine-year-old Westphalian gelding, and was very happy to receive the significant award. “That, to me, is really special,” she smiled. “Rosalynn won that with me a couple years ago, and I think that’s really special, especially because it goes over the three horse shows. I love a conformation horse, but in my heart and soul, my favorite is still a real four-foot horse, and especially when my First Year horse won it. I love Quotable, and I love all my horses, but Mythical, he’s my horse. He is appropriately named. I think it defines him.”

In the Regular Conformation Hunters, Scott Stewart guided Krista & Alexa Weisman’s Showman to championship honors and was presented with The Mary Farren Perpetual Trophy. Stewart and Showman placed sixth in both jumping classes on Tuesday and won the stake and under saddle classes on Wednesday to top the division. They also won in the model. Farmer and Quotable finished in reserve, placing second in the model, first and third over fences, and fourth under saddle.

Also competing on Wednesday, the First Year Green Working Hunter division concluded with a championship win for Scott Stewart, this time aboard Fashion Farm’s Loyalty. Stewart and Loyalty placed third, second and third over fences and finished second under saddle. Farmer and Skorekeeper earned another reserve tricolor after placing first and second over fences and sixth under saddle.

The Second Year Green Working Hunter championship was presented as well with an exciting win for Peter Pletcher aboard David Gochman’s Romance. Pletcher and Romance placed third, third and first over fences and second under saddle. John French and Oscany, Inc.’s Small Celebration finished in reserve with a win under saddle and second, second and fourth place ribbons in the three classes over fences.

The Windy Acres Challenge Trophy was presented earlier in the morning. The trophy, donated by Mr. James O. Pease, is awarded to the overall winner of classes 24 and 34 for the best Green Working Hunter stake round. Pletcher’s high score of 87 in the Second Year Green Working Hunter Stake with Romance was best.

After a very successful morning, Pletcher and the nine-year-old gelding, Romance, were honored with The Claire Lang Miller Challenge Trophy as the show’s Grand Green Working Hunter Champions. This was Romance’s first time competing at WIHS and an exciting victory for owners and rider.

Gochman and Portela Named Leading Riders and Amateur-Owner Hunter Grand Champions

The Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions concluded their second day of competition on Wednesday and awarded championship honors as well. The Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” championship was awarded to Becky Gochman of New York, NY, riding David Gochman’s Sambalino. The pair earned the Frank Counselman Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Frank Counselman. Gochman was also presented with the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider Award for the 3’6” level for her success in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” Over 35 division.

Becky Gochman and Sambalino
Becky Gochman and Sambalino

Winning the division championship, Gochman and Sambalino placed sixth over fences and second under saddle on Tuesday and then dominated the competition on Wednesday with back to back wins and scores of 90 and 92 in the handy and stake classes. Ace of Spades and Emily Morin finished in reserve after placing second, second, and fourth over fences and first under saddle.

Gochman was also presented with The Shari Hollis Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by the Late Col. J. B. Hollis and Ms. Jeannie Hollis, which is presented to the overall winner of classes 54 and 64 in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” stake rounds for Sambalino’s high score of 92. This was the third year in a row that the pair earned the award.

After her winning presentation, Gochman explained that Sambalino, an 11-year-old Brandenburg gelding by Samba Hit, tends to excel on the second day of competition at WIHS each year.

“The first day has always been kind of so-so, but he seems to pick it up in the handy class,” she noted. “He’s a horse who likes to pay attention, so I think he especially enjoys the handy classes because he just waits for your direction, and he can really show off then. His stride is so adjustable that he really can make anything work. All I have to do is look where I’m going and make sure he knows where he’s going, and he will do his job for sure.”

“I love this show so much, being the last city show left,” Gochman detailed. “I have such a good time here with my husband. This is the show we go to without the girls in the beginning of the week and we have a fun time. We enjoy the town a lot.”

After four years together, Gochman and ‘Samba’ have formed a great partnership, and they stay in top form thanks to help from trainers Peter Pletcher and Steve Weiss. Gochman is very careful to keep Samba in good shape and hopes that someday her daughters will be able to show him as well.

“We know he is a very special, one of a kind guy,” Gochman stated. “We take the best care of him, and he gives us everything back. God willing, my kids will be able to ride him in a few years if we take good care of him, and I would love to see that.”

“He is just so pretty and sweet and easy on the eyes,” Gochman described. “He’s like a stuffed animal, and he just goes out there and poses. He is kind of crabby in the warm-up areas, but once he gets out under saddle, he couldn’t put his ears more forward than he does. He’s a ham. When he wants to win, he does it by himself. All I have to do is look and let him know where he is, and he is into it. He is a real show horse.”

In the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 division, the championship was awarded to Darwin and Kelly Tropin for their three second place finishes over fences. Winnetoe and owner/rider Montana Coady finished in reserve with first and fourth place ribbons over fences and a second under saddle.

In the Amateur-Owner Working Hunter 3’3” 18-35 championship, Stephanie Danhakl of Pacific Palisades, CA, guided Lifetime to victory with a win under saddle and second, third, and third place ribbons over fences. Melissa Jacobs and Deeridge Farms’ So You Say finished in reserve after placing first, second and fourth over fences.

As the day continued, it was a clean sweep for Daryl Portela and Isalou, Inc.’s Winner in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 division for the second year in a row at WIHS. In the championship, sponsored by The Linden Group at Morgan Stanley, the pair won all three jumping classes and the under saddle. They were then awarded the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Championship, sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Earnest M. Oare, and Portela was named the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider for the 3’3” division overall.

On the way to their championship win, the pair also earned the Best Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Stake Round, an award presented to the overall winner of class 74 and 84 with their high score of 88. The Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Over 35 reserve champion was Fashion Farms’ Declaration, ridden by Glen Senk, with second and third place ribbons over fences and a fifth in the under saddle.

Portela, of Southwest Ranches, FL, won all four classes in the division with Winner last year as well. That was just the 10-year-old Warmblood gelding’s second time competing at the venue, and she noted that he seems to like it. “I told (my trainer) Jimmy (Torano), ‘He loves Washington,’” Portela smiled.

“I think I put more pressure on myself than Jimmy or anybody does,” Portela said of the desire to win. “Yesterday, I went and got the 92. He was incredible yesterday and then I wanted to go in and win the first class today, the handy, so I knew it could be done. Then Jimmy said for the stake round, ‘Go in there, canter down to the first jump, (and) I don’t care if you miss. I can’t stand when people go in there and pick, pick, pick and they’re slow. It’s a stake round and that’s what it’s supposed to be about.’ He said, ‘Get a lick,’ and that’s what I did and it was great.”

After riding as a junior, Portela showed on and off as an adult between work and kids and then took almost ten years off before she got back into the show ring with Winner. Her husband saw the horse with Torano and after sitting on Winner one time, Portela knew she had to have him. She is now having the ride of a lifetime with wins at some of the nation’s top competitions.

Jumpers Complete Their First Day at WIHS

The jumpers took to the arena for the first time on Wednesday with children’s, adult and open jumper classes. Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela is the course designer this week. The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship was the first class to be held with an exciting win for 14-year-old Grace Knox of North Barrington, IL, riding Rapidash. For the win, the pair was presented with The H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Friends of Fen.

Twenty-nine entries showed over the first round course with 13 competitors jumping clear to advance to the jump-off. Only four were able to clear the second round course in a race against the clock, and Knox and Rapidash had the fastest time in 28.93 seconds, last to go for the win. Wimberly Debono and Tusker finished second in 30.97 seconds. Adeline Rohrbach was third with Snow White in 31.38 seconds, and Lili Hymowitz placed fourth aboard Siboney Ranch’s Belle Bleu S in 31.64 seconds.

Class winner, Rapidash, is an 11-year-old Appendix gelding that Knox has had for two years. This was Knox’s first time showing at WIHS and a great night for the rider, who is trained by Mary and Lisa Goldman in Illinois.

“I didn’t really know what it was going to be like, but I really like showing in the stadium,” Knox stated after her win. “He was great. I’m not sure if he has ever been here before, but before this he was at Harrisburg. He takes big rings really well and never really looks at the jumps. I always expect him to spook at jumps, but he just puts his ears forward and goes to the jump even more.”

The pair blazed through the jump-off course over two seconds faster than the second place finishers. Commenting on her strategy, Knox explained, “What I think before I go in there is, ‘Whatever happens, happens.’ I didn’t want to go as fast as I could because with him, I can go really fast, but that is when I get rails. I just wanted to make sure to hold on to him and not drop him to any of the jumps and turn him in the air. I have to make sure he doesn’t fall in during any of the turns.”

The $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship was held next in the evening session and the win went to Kristyn Duarte of South Russell, OH, riding Victoria Jolie V, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Manhattan. Thirty-one entries jumped in the class and ten qualified for the jump-off. Again, only four went double clear over the short course and it was Duarte’s time of 31.443 seconds that took top honors. For the win, Duarte was presented with The Dorothy Foote “Goodie” Taylor Memorial Perpetual Trophy donated by Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ashton Hill and Miss Linden Joan Hill.

Second place went to Hope Batchelor and Orlando with a time of 31.823 seconds. Tammy Kelly and Belvedere finished third in 32.008 seconds, and Jessica Matelis and Chador were fourth in 33.311 seconds.

Duarte purchased Victoria Jolie V about a year ago from Colombian rider Daniel Bluman and the pair clicked quickly. “She’s opposite of anything you would hear about a chestnut mare,” the rider noted. “She’s extremely heavy on the flat and she may look hot, but she is only 15.2 hands, so she has to go for the striding. She is not hot at all. She is really a push ride.”

“I think once I got a partnership with her, she trusted me and she never says no to me, which is really special,” Duarte stated. “The course tonight rode very smoothly. I was worried about some of the jumps coming up a little bit quick because it’s a more narrow ring, but she handled it really well. I always have a problem with over thinking and I don’t go fast enough, so I just kind of turned my brain off and kicked.”

It was a goal for Duarte all season to qualify for these championships and she was excited to see the progress that she has made this year. Although she has ridden for nine years, she just started doing the jumpers two years ago.

“My goal was to qualify. I’ve never been here or to Pennsylvania (Harrisburg),” she stated. “To win, I didn’t even imagine. I just wanted to get here, and I was very proud just to make that goal. Harrisburg was good, we finished fourth. This time, I went in knowing I had already made the jump-off. My goal was not to win it, but I’ll take it!

The day’s competition concluded with a $10,000 Open Jumper 1.45m speed class, sponsored by Oasis Petroleum, with 39 competitors and eight clear rounds. The win went to Ireland’s Conor Swail aboard Susan Grange’s Ariana with the fastest clear round in 46.21 seconds. Fellow Irishman Darragh Kenny cleared the course in 46.54 seconds with Oakland Ventures’ Top Gun IV to finish second. Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Carlito C, owned by Franz Lens, placed third with their time of 47.55 seconds. USA’s Lillie Keenan and Chansonette Farm LLC’s Pumped Up Kicks finished fourth in 48.57 seconds.

The Washington International Horse Show continues on Thursday with the beginning of Junior Hunter competition in the morning and Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner and Open Jumper competition in the afternoon. A new $33,000 Welcome Stake will complete the day session. The evening session will welcome local horse lovers, riders, trainers, and their families for Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery, beginning at 6 p.m. The $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice costume class will be the highlight event of the evening.

For those who cannot make it to the show, it will be live streamed in its entirety at www.wihs.org, and is also available on USEF Network at www.usefnetwork.com.

The Washington International Horse Show Silent Auction is now available online with an easy-to-use bidding website. Don’t miss your chance to win special items that range from a private riding lesson with Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden to a Private Decorating Party at Georgetown Cupcake Lab. Other incredible items include two tickets to Saturday Night Live’s live show, a diamond horseshoe pin from Tiny Jewel Box, full show attire from The Saddlery, and much, much more. Bid from your computer or smart phone at home, at the barn, at work, or anywhere you have Internet – just go to http://wihs.maestroweb.com.

The Acela Club on the Sky Box level of Verizon Center is the perfect place to socialize with friends and a wonderful vantage point for watching the action in the ring. WIHS is hosting three special social events and we hope you’ll join us! Have fun, watch great sport and support worthy local organizations. Party tickets include dinner and an open bar. $150/per person. Order by phone at 202-525-3679 or visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

The Buck Breast Cancer event will be held from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday evening. Show your pink to benefit the Capital Breast Care Center and honor Laura Pickett, a well-loved local equestrian and trainer, who touched the lives of many in the horse world, and who lost her battle with breast cancer last year.

The Armed Forces Cup Reception will be featured from 7-10 p.m. on Friday featuring the launch of “Healthy Stables by Design” by John Blackburn to benefit five local therapeutic riding centers assisting military veterans: Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Center, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding and Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Therapy Program.

The President’s Cup Party, presented by Washington Life, will run from 6:30-10 p.m. on Saturday night. Wear your best equestrian chic and honor Washington’s diplomatic community with presenting partner, Washington Life.

To purchase tickets to these three parties, please visit http://www.wihs.org/social-events/.

Along with six days of world-class competition, WIHS features a unique boutique shopping experience for exhibitors and spectators alike. The main concourse at Verizon Center brings together a diverse group of vendors for everyone’s shopping enjoyment. Shoppers can find everything from equestrian tack and apparel to fine art and jewelry. This year’s show features over 50 vendor stands and boutiques for all of your shopping needs throughout the week.

For full results, please visit www.wihs.org.

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, click here.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Kaufman and MacFarlane Triumph in $10,000 Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships at WIHS

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Abigael Kaufman and Ivanhoe. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – October 22, 2013 – The 55th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its opening day at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with a full day of hunter competition. The professional and amateur-owner riders showed throughout the day in the first classes of their divisions and will conclude their competition for championship honors on Wednesday. The children’s and adult hunter riders competed for their championships in the evening. The WIHS continues its six-day competition through Sunday, October 27.

The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship featured 31 entries on Tuesday competing over a course set by J. P. Godard of Aiken, SC, with the top 12 entries returning for round two. Fifteen-year-old Abigael Kaufman of Chevy Chase, MD, came out on top with high scores of 86 and 84 for a combined total of 170 aboard her mount Ivanhoe. For their win, the pair was awarded the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy, donated by Friends of Fen.

Kimmee Gottwald and Catina finished second with scores of 91.5 and 76 for a 157 point total. Third place honors went to Darby Cole and Valerie Renihan’s Tuscan Sun with a pair of 77 scores to total 154.

Abigael Kaufman trains with Alan Lohman and has leased Ivanhoe, a 17-year-old Selle Francais gelding, for two years now. The pair has shown together in the Children’s Hunter and equitation divisions. 

“We’ve just been doing local shows trying to qualify for zone finals and we finally qualified for Washington, which was a very nice end to the year,” Kaufman noted.

Although she showed at WIHS with a pony two years ago, this was the rider’s first time competing on a horse, and the experience was a little different. “It’s my first time winning, which is very nice,” she smiled. “It’s pretty much the same, but it’s different because when you are on a horse it’s a lot more important, and it’s harder to ride around the ring, especially on a big horse.”

“I also got to show on a weekday, which I think is really cool because all of the good riders get to show on weekdays,” she added with a smile. “It’s a lot of fun.”

The experience of competing in downtown Washington D.C. is always exciting, with the horses temporarily stabled in the streets surrounding Verizon Center, and people walking through the city day and night.

“The coolest part is probably walking down the ramp from the stalls to the ring,” Kaufman noted. “You see people walking home from work and they wonder why there is a horse walking around in D.C. and you say ‘Yup, that’s my horse.’ It’s really cool.”

Ivanhoe and Kaufman handled the city setting likes pros and put in two winning rounds. Kaufman described Ivanhoe as a very slow horse that takes a lot of leg and commented further on her rounds.

“Once I got my pace and had him out in front of me, everything else was golden. He was right there, ready to do it for me,” she detailed. “The first round I felt really good about. I feel like I was able to fix all the mistakes I’ve made during the year. The second round, my trainer just told me to go in and have fun and make it as smooth as possible. I think we did just that. We had a few little minor errors, but he made up for it and jumped all the fences nicely. I was really happy with both of them.”

Authentic and Dudley MacFarlane Win $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Championship

The $10,000 WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Championship concluded day one at the 2013 WIHS with 29 entries showing over the first round course and the top twelve returning. Dudley MacFarlane of Darien, CT, rode her 17-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding Authentic to the championship with scores of 87 and 85.5 for a 171.5 point total.

Devon Braswell and Showgirl placed second on a two-round total of 171 with scores of 85 and 86. Daryl Whitmoyer and Sweet Potato Pie earned an 84.5 and an 85 to finish third with a score of 169.5.

Dudley MacFarlane and Authentic
Dudley MacFarlane and Authentic

Dudley MacFarlane has had her winning mount, Authentic, for 13 years since purchasing the horse as a stallion when he was four years old with the help of then-trainer, Jimmy Toon. The pair has shown all over the country in their years together, and Authentic now spends most of his year living in a field and going on trail rides on MacFarlane’s farm in Charlottesville, VA. He showed in order to qualify for the championship this year and completed his years of showing at WIHS with a well-deserved victory.

“He is a really cool horse,” MacFarlane said proudly. “He is 17 years young and he is amazing. He only comes out about four times a year. He does enough to qualify. I take him to Upperville and Middleburg because I love those two horse shows, and we did the $250,000 in Saugerties. He lives on the field at my farm and he just sort of hangs out. He’s the boss. Whatever he says and whatever he wants, he gets.”

MacFarlane and Authentic showed at WIHS in the amateur 3’6” division multiple times and also showed in the Adult Hunter Championship last year, but MacFarlane explained that Authentic was a little starstruck with the jumbotron in the arena. This year they put a computer screen in his stall to get him ready for the competition.

“We sort of made him sit in front of the computer all week,” she laughed. “We made him watch Harrisburg rounds. We got this big trash can and put the computer on it and made him watch the Second Years! It worked. We were fortunate we had a great stall (here). We’d take him there (to the ring) when they were dragging and let him look. He was fantastic. He’s the best horse ever. I’m so fortunate.”

“He was just on it today,” MacFarlane described of their jumping rounds. “I really can’t remember two rounds that he was as wonderful as he was. No rubs, no swaps. I promised him he would never have to come back if he would just go in and win the class!”

MacFarlane rides with trainer Rodney Bross now and explained that it does not take much to keep Authentic in top form. “We never jump him at home. He knows his job,” she said. “Sometimes he actually knows it a little bit too well, and he’ll decide he wants to take over a little bit. We have a really good relationship. When I walk in the barn, as soon as he hears my voice he nickers or comes running from the field to see me. We give him lots of peppermints. The main thing is to keep him happy and healthy. As soon as he decides he doesn’t want to do it anymore, he doesn’t have to. He loves stepping up to the plate. He’s a horse of a lifetime, there’s no question.”

In addition to their championship ribbons and coolers, the winners of the Children’s and Adult Hunter Champions were each awarded a pair of custom chaps courtesy of Journeyman Saddlers, Ltd.

Also showing earlier on Tuesday, the professional hunter divisions completed their first day of competition at Verizon Center with several winning rounds for Kelley Farmer of Keswick, VA. The Robotyping Challenge Trophy was presented to Farmer’s mount Mythical, owned by D. Larry Glefke and Dr. Kenneth Garber, for the best Green Working Hunter round of the day with a high score of 90. Farmer also accepted The Fairfax Hunt Race Association Challenge Trophy for the best Green Working Hunter handy round with a score of 89 aboard D. Larry Glefke and Quail Run Partnerships’ Skorekeeper.

The Washington International Horse Show continues tomorrow with championships for the professional and amateur-owner hunter divisions as well as the $10,000 Children’s Jumper Championship during the day. The evening session, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature the $10,000 Adult Jumper Championship and the $10,000 Open Jumper speed class. For full results, more information, or to watch the free live feed of the show, please visit www.wihs.org.

Final Results: $10,000 Children’s Hunter Championship
Placing/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Owner/Round 1/Round 2/Total

1. 278 IVANHOE Abigael Kaufman Abigael Kaufman 86.000 84.000 170.000
2. 161 CATINA Kimmee Gottwald Kimmee Gottwald 81.500 76.000 157.500
3. 431 TUSCAN SUN Darby Cole Valerie Renihan 77.000 77.000 154.000
4. 595 CARSON Carilynn Peyton Tyler Stewart 78.000 75.000 153.000
5. 681 DALAMAR Mary Claire Medeiros Dana Watkiss 81.000 71.000 152.000
6. 648 PLATINI Sydney Gever Sydney Gever 82.000 68.000 150.000
7. 427 RIGHTEOUS Zander Lichacz Zander Lichacz 79.000 70.000 149.000
8. 328 CURIOUS GEORGE Lucy Loper Lucy Loper 75.000 65.000 140.000
9. 735 TRIBUTE Lindsey Bland Gulfstream Equestrian 77.500 62.000 139.500
10. 428 TAYLOR MADE Katherine Robertson Katherine Robertson 84.000 42.000 126.000
11. 682 OLIVIA Mary Claire Medeiros Mary Claire Medeiros 80.000 45.000 125.000
12. 597 LEADING LADY Rachel Okun Rachel Okun 76.000 43.000 119.000

Final Results: $10,000 Adult Hunter Championship
Placing/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Owner/Round 1/Round 2/Total

1. 773 AUTHENTIC Dudley Macfarlane Dudley Macfarlane 86.000 85.500 171.500
2. 441 SHOWGIRL Devon Braswell Devon Braswell 85.000 86.000 171.000
3. 264 SWEET POTATO PIE Daryl Whitmoyer Daryl Whitmoyer 84.500 85.000 169.500
4. 262 URBAN Chelsea Director Chelsea Director 78.000 84.000 162.000
5. 523 WISH LIST Diane Wade Diane Wade 79.000 78.000 157.000
6. 533 SGT. PEPPER Connie Mcrill Connie Mcrill 75.000 80.000 155.000
7. 326 TYCOON Laurie Barna Laurie Barna 82.000 70.500 152.500
8. 528 UFONIA P Kevin Foster Paulexi Llc 81.000 71.000 152.000
9. 263 ROCOCO Brittani Director Brittani Director 76.000 75.000 151.000
10. 202 IN OUR TIME Nicole Shaw Ben Guanciale 84.000 64.000 148.000
11. 421 CASANOVA Elizabeth Kirby Elizabeth Kirby 80.000 62.000 142.000
12. 740 KIPLING M. Stuart Landin The Barracks 87.000 45.000 132.000

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

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.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com
803.240.7488
jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Finals Award Top Honors

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Emily Ambach and Renaissance. Photo © Shawn McMillen Photography.

2013 Washington International Horse Show Starts Tuesday

Washington, D.C. – October 21, 2013 – The 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) hosted its Regional Horse Show in conjunction with the USHJA Zone 3 Finals this weekend on October 18-20, 2013, at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD. The competition is a precursor to the 55th annual Washington International Horse Show, which will run this week, October 22-27, at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C.

The WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Finals won the 2013 Member’s Choice Award from the United States Hunter Jumper Association. This award provides exhibitors and participants the opportunity to reward excellence at USEF-licensed hunter/jumper competitions through their feedback relating to the competition, the facility where it took place, footing, competition personnel and hospitality.

The regional competition gives local riders a chance to qualify to compete in the WIHS Championship Finals in the children’s and adult hunter and jumper divisions. The WIHS Championship Finals will feature the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship and the $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship on Tuesday, October 22. The $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship and the $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship will both be held on Wednesday, October 23.

The big equitation win of the weekend went to Emily Ambach (18) of Chevy Chase, MD, in the Gittings Horsemanship Finals. Trained by Miranda Scott, Ambach guided her mount Renaissance to victory with a fantastic jumping round followed by a well-executed test in the top five. Alyssa Rhee and Futuro finished second and Rhys Drewyer and Amigo were third.

Ambach, who is currently studying Communications at American University in Washington D.C., has leased Renaissance for the last year. It was her first time showing in the Gittings Horsemanship Finals, but she had been to the regional competition in previous years showing in the Children’s Hunters. This was her last show competing as a junior and a momentous win for the rider.

“It is just really amazing to win and to see all of the progress I have made from the first time that I had been there,” Ambach acknowledged. “I remember watching Gittings Finals even though I hadn’t qualified and thinking how awesome it would be to even qualify. The fact that my last year I got to go was really amazing.”

Renaissance, a 15-year-old Hanoverian gelding, stands above 18 hands and had success as a hunter before, including the Regular Working Hunter championship at WIHS in 2008. “In the ring he always knows what he is doing, and it is just reassuring to have him,” Ambach related.

Ambach had a good feeling on the day of the finals and knew that she could trust her experienced horse to put in a good round.

“The whole day I really felt on it, which was reassuring,” the rider noted. “When I went in the ring I just felt really good. My horse and I were really communicating and connecting. It was a nice course. Because my horse is so big, it is hard for me sometimes because of the striding. I really have to make sure I maintain his stride. There was a two-stride and a one-stride, so I had to maintain my balance for those, but I was also able to just show off that he is such a great horse and he is able to extend and collect well. Overall it was a great course and I was really happy with it at the end.”

After a great test, Ambach was named the winner and went out on top in her final junior year. She will now continue with college and hopes to keep riding as much as possible. She thanks her parents and her trainer for all of their support.

Other equitation divisions in the weekend’s WIHS Regional competition included the MHSA Adult Hunt Seat class, which saw a win for Paige Messick aboard Bucephalus LLC’s Over Achiever. Cheryl Ainsworth and Denile finished second with Julie Bigham and Pas de Chat in third. Messick was also victorious in the VHSA Adult Amateur Medal with Ainsworth once again finishing second. Omar Del Valle placed third in that class aboard Clay Hill Stables’ Beaujolais.

In the VHSA Children’s Medal, Carilynn Peyton showed Tyler Stewart’s Carson to victory with Clair Newton and Stoneridge Farm’s Upshot in second and Bray Norman aboard Rosalind Watkins’ Sincerely in third.

The MHSA Hunt Seat on Ponies was won by Catherine Black aboard Linda Foster’s Swizzlestick. Ava Ellis and Peakewood Pharm, Inc.’s Money Tree placed second with Jianna Simcik and Charleez Simcik’s Tinseltown in third. Black also won the VHSA Pony Medal, followed in second by Lydia Davidson riding Michele Hazel’s Ladybug. Maya Lombardo rode her own Just Jack to third place honors.

In the hunter divisions, Brooke Cole earned the championship tricolor in the Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Zone Finals aboard her horse Markelo with Kathryn Luke and Brazos in reserve. In the Adult Amateur Hunter Over 35 Zone Finals, Lara McPherson guided Brooke Cole’s Poetic Justis to the championship over Cindy Schmidt and her own Surfs Up in reserve.

The Children’s Hunter Horse 14 and Under also hosted their Zone Finals over the weekend with a championship win for Sloan Hodges and Jet Stream K. Mary Claire Medeiros and Olivia earned the reserve championship. In the Children’s Hunter Horse 15-17 Zone Finals, Emily Todd earned the championship riding Jack Sparrow and Olivia Baldwin and Outrageous finished in reserve.

The Small/Medium Children’s Hunter Pony Final presented its championship to Damingo, owned by Carol Eichner and ridden by Adam Edgar. Helicon Stowaway, owned and ridden by Raeann Jones, finished in reserve. The Large Children’s Hunter Pony Zone Final was won by Michele Hazel aboard her own Ladybug. There was a tie for reserve champion between Lillie Honiberg riding Stoneledge Coralea and Erica Rose aboard Woodland’s Mr. Mischief.

In the jumper divisions, Sandra Zimmerli rode Apollo Mission to victory in the Children’s Jumper Zone Finals with Summer Seeley aboard Flynn Ryder in second and Jillian Kaufman riding Double Dutch in third. In the Pony Jumper Zone Finals, Helen Jones and Point N Shoot took the top prize over Emma Ellis and Tangled Up In Blue. Arwen Nanson and Melinda Cohen’s Cruisineety Z won the Adult Jumper Zone Finals. Jenny Colgate and Ever So Clever finished second with Juliette Landis and Shiraz in third.

The Low Children’s Jumper Zone Final was won by Carly Williams aboard High Hopes with Sarah E. McDonald and Turn To Beat in second. Emma Hess and Laramie Fink’s Newbridge placed third. The Low Adult Jumper Zone Final saw victory for Carla Quinn Loyd aboard Daydreamer. Jessica Kars Landis and Escalado placed second with Megan Manubay and Street Fighter in third.

WIHS Regional and USHJA Zone 3 Finals would like to thank a few of their sponsors for their support, including Chatham Hall, presenting sponsor of the Large Children’s Hunter Pony division, The Saddlery, who provided apples and carrots for the horses, and The Linden Group.

All of the fantastic regional competition in Upper Marlboro, MD, leads up to this week’s 55th annual Washington International Horse Show, featuring many of the nation’s top horses and riders and several of the world’s best competitors. To find out more about the 2013 Washington International Horse Show, and to buy tickets, please visit www.wihs.org/tickets/, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Community/Charity, Washington Int'l Horse Show

The Boeing Company Presents Military Night at the Washington International Horse Show

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Olivier Philippaerts and Chicago VD Moleneind, last year’s winners of the $25,000 Puissance sponsored by The Boeing Company. Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Friday Oct. 25 will honor the nation’s armed forces

WASHINGTON – October 21, 2013 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is pleased to welcome back Military Night, presented for the first time by The Boeing Company, on Friday Oct. 25. WIHS returns to Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22-27, 2013, for its 55th year of world-class equestrian competition.

The Boeing Company’s sponsorship pays tribute to our military men and women, recognizes achievement among show jumping’s top competitors, and supports partnerships between WIHS and the military community.

“Boeing is committed to the men and women in uniform and their families,” said Tim Keating, senior vice president of government operations at The Boeing Company. “Partnering with organizations like the Washington International Horse Show on activities such as Military Night is one small way that we can give back to our military and their families who make so many sacrifices for our country. We also look forward to seeing the best in equestrian sport.”

The Armed Forces Cup will be awarded to the winner of the Puissance, the international “high jump” class, sponsored by Boeing. The Puissance will headline the equestrian competition on Friday and is a crowd favorite. Plus, there will be a new 1.50m Table C Faults Converted Speed Final class presented by Sleepy P Ranch.

“The Washington International Horse Show is extremely pleased to welcome back The Boeing Company as a sponsor. We appreciate their ongoing partnership, which helps further our military outreach activities in a meaningful way,” Bridget Love Meehan, executive director of WIHS, said.

The WIHS Armed Forces Program, which began in 2009, has grown to include a special relationship with TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) as the WIHS Military Charity Partner and a popular military ticket program. This year, thanks to support from The Boeing Company, Travelers, Fidelity Investments and private donations, more than 2,500 free ticket vouchers will be distributed to area military families.

Since its 1958 debut, WIHS has been a Washington, D.C. institution attended by countless horse enthusiasts of all ages, as well as presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders. WIHS has enjoyed a close relationship with the United States military since the earliest days of the horse show when former U.S. Army horses and riders represented the United States in national and international competition.

The U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon will give an exhibition on Military Night
The U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon will give an exhibition on Military Night

Several special exhibitions will add to the evening’s entertainment, including the return of the horses from the U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon, 3rd Regiment, who serve at Arlington National Cemetery. New this year will be an impressive demonstration by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, a highly disciplined rifle unit.

Through a cultural partnership with the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the Sergeant Reckless Memorial Fund and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, WIHS will honor an equine Marine — Staff Sergeant Reckless, a Korean War veteran, who served valiantly alongside U.S. troops.

In the Acela Club, the Armed Forces Reception will feature the launch of “Healthy Stables by Design” by architect John Blackburn to benefit several local PATH International therapeutic centers (Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Riding and Recreation Center, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding) as well as Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Therapy Program.

To find out more about the 2013 Washington International Horse Show, and to buy tickets, please visit www.wihs.org/tickets/, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Awards, Jennifer Wood, Washington Int'l Horse Show

WIHS Congratulates Hanna Powers, Recipient of 2013 USHJA Youth Leadership Award

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Hanna Powers, 2013 USHJA Youth Leadership Award. Photo copyright Diana Hosford.

Washington, D.C. – October 18, 2013 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) would like to congratulate Hanna Powers, of Potomac Falls, VA, who was chosen as the 2013 USHJA Youth Leadership Award recipient. Hanna was the 2012 Youth Ambassador at WIHS and is a part of the 2013 Junior Committee.

Each year the USHJA organization takes pride in acknowledging a junior member between the ages of 12 and 15 who has demonstrated leadership qualities. Candidates are nominated by their peers and the selected winner is one who best exhibits a dedication to the USHJA mission of promoting our sport through their example of genuine sportsmanship and serving as a role model in the equestrian community.

Hanna is a believer in the ‘horse gene’. She has an immediate connection and an intuition that inspires her to ride. This connection also inspires her to excel. She is an impassioned competitor who at age eight took on training her first mount, a large pony, on her own and over the course of four years shaped both their careers into that of champions. Most recently Hanna has transitioned into the jumper arena and was a participant in the 2013 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Regional Clinic with Bernie Traurig, held at the Georgia International Horse Park.

“I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in several of the great programs that the USHJA offers to support young riders. The intensity of this format was addictive to me. I credit the EAP experience with showing me what lies ahead and putting me in an environment with other young riders who share a similar goal of being exceptional on a horse as well as in the barn,” Hanna said.

A dedicated student at Madeira School, 16-year-old Hanna exemplifies the spirit of the Youth Leadership Award in and out of the horse show community. She is a varsity member of the school’s IEA Team. She was recently elected Captain for the 2014 season, received an internship to work in Senator John McCain’s office on Capitol Hill, serves as a S.T.A.R. at her school (selected student tour guide and admissions representative for prospective students and their parents) and was a 2012 Washington International Horse Show Youth Ambassador who led a 17 member committee in working with show management on developing community programs targeted to area youth. Her equestrian passion and natural leadership led to an invitation from the ASPCA to represent WIHS on Capitol Hill in raising awareness to the Horses on the Hill initiative. Senators Mary Landrieu and Lindsey Graham co-sponsored the SAFE Act (S. 541/ H.R. 1094) which would prohibit horse slaughter in the U.S. and end export and slaughter of American horses abroad.

Hanna noted, “I am always looking for non-riding ways to incorporate my passion for horses. Riding has already enriched my life greatly. It has brought me to my best friends, provided me with life-changing opportunities and taught me invaluable skills.”

As for what lies ahead, Hanna often looks to a favorite quote for reassurance. ‘Perseverance and dedication are the two keys in life: apply them to any purpose and you will succeed. Remember, always, the future is a great deal more than just tomorrow.’ – Neil C. Aslin.

Hanna will be presented the 2013 USHJA Youth Leadership Award commemorative trophy, a complimentary three-year USHJA Active Membership and a RevitaVet Infrared Therapy System, generously donated by RevitaVet, during the USHJA Annual Meeting’s Evening of Equestrians awards dinner on Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00PM.

“I am honored to be the recipient of the USHJA’s Youth Leadership Award. I have been fortunate to be around so many other young riders that share the similar goal of being exceptional on horseback as well as in everything that they do. My goal is to keep striving for excellence as I pursue my passion for horses,” she concluded.

Reproduced with permission from the USHJA.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Washington International Horse Show Looks Forward to 55th Annual Competition

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Two-time Olympic gold medalist and current FEI World Cup champion Beezie Madden will be at WIHS. Photo – Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

World-class competition, entertaining exhibitions, parties, shopping and more this year at WIHS

Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2013 – The 2013 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is quickly approaching with six days of action-packed fun and excitement at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. coming up on October 22-27, 2013. For one week each year, our nation’s capital welcomes some of the world’s best equestrians to compete at the country’s most prestigious metropolitan indoor horse show.

WIHS is one of the most historic and well-known equestrian events in the world with a significant record of hosting Olympians, national champions, our country’s most talented young equitation riders, and top ranking junior, amateur and pony competitors. One of those top riders is two-time Olympic gold medalist and current FEI World Cup champion, Beezie Madden (below). This year’s competition features an increase in the prize money awarded in both the jumper and hunter divisions. WIHS will offer nearly half a million dollars in total prize money in 2013, more than a $70,000 boost from 2012!

Competition highlights include the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI3*-W presented by Events DC and the Hermès WIHS Equitation Finals on Saturday, October 26. The Boeing Company $25,000 Puissance as well as the $50,000 Open Jumper Speed Final presented by Sleepy P Ranch will be featured on Friday, October 25. Thursday night is Barn Night and one of the biggest crowd pleasers with the $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume Class as well as a new $33,000 International Open Jumper Welcome Stake.

When they are not competing, riders and trainers can enjoy the new exhibitors lounge in the Coaches Club, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling, where coaches for DC’s professional sports teams convene during their events at Verizon Center. Additionally, Private Tutoring Services — the official education provider at WIHS — will be on site to help students juggle schoolwork and showing!

Photo - Diana DeRosa
Photo – Diana DeRosa

In addition to the exceptional competition, visitors and exhibitors will enjoy boutique shopping, entertaining equestrian exhibitions and community activities, which round out this family-friendly event.

Barn Night at WIHS is a favorite for local young riders and horse enthusiasts who attend in groups and have a chance to enter contests, win big prizes and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening on Thursday, October 24. Friday night at WIHS salutes the military with the third annual Military Night, presented by The Boeing Company. Saturday, October 26, will feature Kids’ Day, a free, fun, family-friendly event created to engage the local community and educate kids and their families about horses and equestrian sport. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both inside Verizon Center and on a closed city street just outside the arena. Sponsored in part by the EQUUS Foundation, this popular community event brings new fans to WIHS and equestrian sport each year.

Many exciting exhibitions are highlighted throughout the week at WIHS as well. On Saturday night, cowgirls and celebrity riders will team up and ride in our “Celebrity Barrel Racing,” presented by Washington Area Chevy Dealers (above left). Always a fan favorite, the fast and furious terrier races will return on Saturday evening thanks to sponsor Pedigree. New for 2013 Barn Night is the WIHS Shetland Pony International Steeplechase, presented by Charles Owen (below right). On Friday night the U.S. Army’s Caisson Platoon will take center stage. There will also be an impressive performance by the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

Three special events in Acela Club offer great ways to celebrate at WIHS. The Buck Breast Cancer reception on Oct. 24 will benefit the Capital Breast Care Center. Friday night’s Armed Forces Reception will feature the launch of “Healthy Stables by Design” by architect John Blackburn to benefit several local PATH International therapeutic riding centers as well as Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Therapy Program. And Saturday night will once again feature the President’s Cup Party, this year presented by Washington Life magazine. In addition to the Acela Club, sponsors and supporters will enjoy dining on VIP platforms in the Georgetown Club and the Capitol Club, decorated beautifully by WIHS official décor provider, Syzygy Events.

Photo - Regina Welsh
Photo – Regina Welsh

The WIHS Silent Auction returns, offering an array of unique items, on display both at Verizon Center and online. Some special opportunities include: a bespoke photo shoot with Shelli Breidenbach Photography; a three-day rental of a two-passenger golf cart from Dever; and a private party for 10 at the Georgetown Cupcake Lab. Go to www.wihs.org during the show to see all of the incredible items available. Bidding is available online for computers, tablets, and phones, as well as at kiosks set up around Verizon Center.

For anyone that cannot attend the show in person, the WIHS offers free, live-streaming video of the entire event. The WIHS free live stream will be offered again this year with the complete show streamed on www.wihs.org and USEF Network beginning Tuesday, October 22, thanks to supporting sponsorship from Campbell Wealth Management and Big Ass Fans.

Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Reserved and VIP tickets are available for evening performances. For Discounted Group Sales, call 202-661-5061. Tickets also may be purchased in person at the Verizon Center Box Office. For information about Verizon Center accessible seating and services, call 202-661-5061 or 202-661-5065 (TTY). Full ticket information can be found at www.wihs.org/tickets.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Community/Charity, Washington Int'l Horse Show

EQUUS Foundation and USEF Announce the Best Course Competition

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WESTPORT, CT – September 29, 2013 – The Best Course Gives Back to the Horse! There isn’t any horse lover who would want to ponder where we would be without the gentle giants who team with us in sport, recreation and many other public service capacities – which is why the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) are jointly sponsoring the Best Course Competition – open to all USEF Licensed Competitions and their competitors.

Washington International Horse Show Signs On for the Launch!

What better way than to launch the Best Course Competition than in the Nation’s Capital at the Washington International Horse Show, October 22-27, 2013.

“WIHS is very pleased to have the opportunity to launch the Best Course of the Day program with the EQUUS Foundation and the USEF. We are thrilled to kick off this program that encourages competitors to give back to horses. Horses give so much to us every day; it was time to return the favor. The EQUUS Foundation has a great concept with the Best Course Competition and with the longstanding WIHS partnership with EQUUS Foundation, we wanted be the first,” said Victoria Lowell, WIHS President.

WIHS competitors can sign up for an EQUUS Foundation “Best Course of the Day” armband on their official Washington International acceptance form. Contact WIHS at WIHSsecretary@wihs.org for more information.

How Does It Work?

The new program utilizes competition itself to benefit horse welfare.

* USEF Licensed Competitions sign up as Best Course Competitions by offering the official “Best Course of the Day”.

* Competitors purchase an official EQUUS Foundation “Best Course of the Day” armband with a $20 tax deductible donation as part of their entry fees.

* Judges select the winner of the “Best Course of the Day” each day of the show from among the competitors wearing the armband while competing in any division that day.

* 100% of the proceeds are donated to the EQUUS Foundation to improve the quality of life for horses through rescue, rehab, training and re-homing.

USEF Licensed Competitions that sign up as Best Course Competitions, along with the winners of the Best Course of the Day, will be recognized by both the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation.

Stand Out!
The judge will select the Best Course from among those competitors (junior, amateur or professional) wearing the official Best Course Competition EQUUS Foundation Armband while competing in any division at the participating competition. Rather than score-based, the winner will be the judge’s favorite and most memorable performance.

“We are thrilled to launch this wonderful program at the Washington show and hope that the enthusiasm to participate extends to not only other hunter-jumper shows but to the other USEF discipline and breed competitions as well. It’s open to every competitor at every level and is a call to action to the equestrian sport as a whole to give back to their equine team mates,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

Find out more at www.equusfoundation.org/BestCourse.

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, advancing the use of horses to enrich the lives of people in need and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. What started as a local effort is now a nationwide campaign on behalf of horses. The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support to horse-related charities across the United States; connecting a network of equine organizations to equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to reward volunteer service on behalf of horses, and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

About United States Equestrian Federation

Established in 1917, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), www.usef.org, is dedicated to uniting the equestrian community, honoring achievement, and serving as guardians of equestrian sport. The USEF promotes the safety and welfare of horses and riders while encouraging interest, participation and excellence at every competitive level and for all breed and discipline affiliates within the Federation family equally. The USEF is the only national organization dedicated to the promotion of the equestrian sport, fair competition and equine welfare regardless of breed or discipline.

About Washington International Horse Show (WIHS)

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org) attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. See more at: www.wihs.org.

Lynn Coakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Hunter/Equitation, Racing, Show Jumping, Washington Int'l Horse Show

Washington International Horse Show Barn Night Is Back

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Reed Kessler and Ligist won last year’s $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice. © Shawn McMillen Photography.

Don’t miss the inaugural WIHS Shetland Pony International Steeplechase!

WASHINGTON — Sept. 4, 2013 — The Washington International Horse Show is pleased to welcome back the local favorite, Barn Night, presented again this year by Dover Saddlery. The festive and fun-filled Barn Night will take place Thursday, Oct. 24, during the 55th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Oct. 22-27 at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC.

New for 2013 Barn Night is the WIHS Shetland Pony International Steeplechase, presented by Charles Owen. U.S. Pony Racing’s young jockeys will suit up in colorful silks and gallop their Shetland ponies over hurdles in two steeplechase races. A popular tradition in Europe, this will be the first time Shetland ponies will race over jumps indoors in the U.S.

WIHS Barn Night is favored by young riders and horse enthusiasts who attend with their local barns and have a chance to enter contests such as Largest Group, Best Banner, Best Spirit and Best Video. Barns from Virginia, Maryland, the District and beyond will vie for sensational prizes including a custom golf cart from United Metro Golf Carts, gear from C&A Sportswear, a clinic with three-day eventing Olympian Will Coleman courtesy of Cavalor, and $5,000 worth of gift certificates from Dover Saddlery.

Returning sponsor Dover Saddlery is excited to be a part of this year’s Barn Night event. “We love being a part of Barn Night at the Washington International Horse Show because it’s important to us to support young riders getting involved in the sport,” said Dover’s Janet Nittmann. “It is such a fun event, and we look forward to seeing the creativity and enthusiasm from all the barns that come out each year.”

Thanks to support from committed sponsors like the Peterson Family Foundation, and official media partner, The Equiery, WIHS is able to offer an entertaining evening for exhibitors and attendees alike. Activities begin at 6:00 p.m. on the concourse at Verizon Center with a Stablemates painting activity hosted by Breyer Animal Creations. The first 100 kids to arrive will receive a special prize, also courtesy of Breyer. Throughout the night, groups will have a chance to pose at the famous WIHS Puissance wall, which will be set up on the concourse. There will also be a scavenger hunt, and the first 25 people to submit sheets with accurate answers will receive an Essex Classics show shirt. An autograph session with top riders will conclude the evening.

The evening’s feature equestrian competition is the Halloween-themed Gambler’s Choice Costume class, during which top riders and their horses will tackle a course of jumps set at 1.45m, dressed in creative outfits of their choosing.

“Barn Night is always fun because the atmosphere is so great,” said Reed Kessler, who won last year’s $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice class, dressed as Catwoman. “The best part of this sport is when the crowd is really passionate and excited about watching you ride and Barn Night always delivers in terms of enthusiasm!”

Before the start of the Gambler’s Choice, WIHS President Victoria Lowell will present the second annual Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship. Awarded in memory of Laura Pickett, the trophy will be presented to the adult or child rider and their trainer who best exhibit enthusiasm, dedication, style and commitment to excellent horsemanship at the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals, Oct. 18-20 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Barn Night is a terrific opportunity for the DC region’s horse lovers to come together and enjoy a night of entertainment and camaraderie. Last year’s winners:

Largest Group Overall: Meadowbrook Stables, Chevy Chase, MD

Largest Group (Maryland): Wheaton Park Stables, Wheaton, MD

Largest Group (Virginia): Tamarack Stables, Lofton, VA

Largest Group (DC/Other): Rock Creek Horse Center, Washington, DC

Best Group Video: Rock Creek Horse Center, Washington, DC

Best Group Banner: Harmony Ridge, Deale, MD

Best Group Spirit: Serene Acres Riding Center, Round Hill, VA

Sign Up Today!

Visit www.wihs.org/tickets/ for more information on purchasing tickets to this year’s event. Download the 2013 Official WIHS Prize List at www.wihs.org/prize-list/.

Register your barn now to be eligible to participate in the group contests and for the chance to win great prizes! Join WIHS on Facebook and sign up on the Barn Night Facebook Event Page to enter contests, see who will be attending, and connect with other Barn Night participants!

Go to www.wihs.org/Barn-Night now to sign up to be eligible for this year’s contests and prizes. Discounted tickets for Barn Night are available at Verizon Center Group Sales Office. Call (202) 661-5061 now to reserve your seats! The minimum group size is 10 people.

Learn more about the Washington International Horse Show and the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals at www.wihs.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

About the Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com