Qualify to Show at Verizon Center, Compete in Zone 3 Finals, and Nominate Fellow Riders for The Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship!

WASHINGTON — August 20, 2013 — The 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals as well as the MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals and the VHSA Children’s, Adult, and Pony Medals will take place on Oct. 18-20 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md. The show is “C” rated by the USEF and offers fantastic competition for local riders.

A very popular stop on the local horse show circuit, the WIHS Regional also offers an alternative way for area riders to qualify for the Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center. Regional riders may qualify for the WIHS Regional Finals for horses and ponies as well as the WIHS Children’s and Adult Championships. The 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals Prize List can be found at www.wihs.org/wihs-regional.

New to the WIHS Regional show this year are two Thoroughbred divisions at 2’6” and 3’. Grand championships will be awarded for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Children’s Hunter Ponies, and additional ponies will be accepted for the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals at Verizon Center. Entries will be accepted electronically through HorseShowing.com. There will also be a fun exhibitor pizza party on Saturday!

The MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals will be the featured class on Friday night at 6 p.m. in the Show Place Arena. A party will be held for all exhibitors to enjoy and watch the class. The top riders in the Finals will receive prizes such as a bridle/martingale/girth from Maryland Saddlery, a Charles Owen helmet, a spot in a USHJA clinic from McDonogh School, and a gift from EquestrianCoach.com.

All of the classes at the WIHS Regional Horse Show are open to all horses and ponies regardless of geographical location. However, only horses and ponies owned or leased by exhibitors living within 100 miles of Washington, D.C., based on owner or lessee’s zip code, are eligible for the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals at Verizon Center on Sunday, Oct. 27. In addition, the Children’s and Adult Hunter champions can qualify for the WIHS Hunter Championships on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and the winners of the Zone 3 Finals Children’s and Adult Jumper classes can qualify for the WIHS Jumper Championships at Verizon Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23.

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

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

The Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship award will once again be presented to the “up-and-coming” adult or child rider and their trainer who best exhibit the enthusiasm, dedication, style, and commitment to excellent horsemanship that brings out the best in horse and rider at this year’s WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Finals. A new addition to the competition last year, the special trophy is in remembrance of a fellow local equestrian. The award was generously donated by Vicki Lowell in memory of Laura Pickett. A presentation will take place center ring at Verizon Center during the 55th annual Washington International. For more information and nomination forms, go to www.wihs.org/wihs-regional.

The Washington International Horse Show team offers their sincerest appreciation and thanks to all exhibitors, trainers, owners, sponsors, volunteers, staff and friends for making the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals such a wonderful stop on the equestrian calendar and looks forward to seeing everyone in October. For more information on the 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals, please visit www.wihs.org.

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

Tuesday Evening to Highlight High Performance Hunters; Prize List Featuring Other Enhancements Now Available Online

Washington, D.C. – July 22, 2013 – The 55th Washington International Horse Show CSI 3* (WIHS) is pleased to announce an increase in the prize money awarded this year in the open 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! The official prize list for 2013 competition is now available online at www.wihs.org, featuring some exciting new changes to the schedule.

The country’s only metropolitan indoor horse show, the Washington International Horse Show hosts one week of world-class competition each year at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C., on Oct. 22-27, 2013.

“WIHS has adjusted the open jumper division schedule and overall money to attract even more top riders around the world and provide an amazing opportunity for our more than 20,000 spectators to experience show jumping at its highest level,” said Bridget Love Meehan, WIHS executive director.

The President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI 3*-World Cup Qualifier on Saturday evening will increase its purse to $125,000 (+$25,000). Friday night’s line-up will feature an exciting $50,000 1.50m Table C Faults Converted Speed Final (+$17,000) in addition to the $25,000 Puissance. Thursday’s event will officially become a 1.50m Welcome Stake, a $33,000 class, which will be paired with the $20,000 crowd pleasing Gambler’s Choice Costume Class. Wednesday’s feature jumper class will remain an inviting $10,000 1.45m Time First Round.

Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward is a regular competitor at WIHS and has won the President’s Cup Grand Prix three times. He is also vice president of the North American Rider’s Group, which ranked WIHS as a Top 25 Horse Show last year.

He commented, “It’s great that WIHS has increased the prize money for the open jumpers. Anytime a horse show can step up and raise money makes it better for the riders, and it also makes it a more prestigious event. WIHS is a great show in a city we all enjoy. It’s nice to see them make the effort to stay current with the big shows around the world.”

Higher purses are also offered in both the low and high junior/amateur-owner jumper divisions with an increase of $7,500.

More Hunter Prize Money and Improvements

Prize money for the hunters has also grown by $29,000 and the high performance working hunter division will be featured with two classes on the opening night of the show, Tuesday Oct. 22, showcasing the country’s top professional hunters.

WIHS will accept more entries this year in the amateur-owner working hunter 3’3” and the regional pony hunter sections, offering more competitors a fantastic chance to ride at Verizon Center. Cross-entry restrictions have been modified for horses and riders competing in the WIHS Children’s and Adult Championships. As well, the entry process will be streamlined through the option of electronic submission through EquestrianConnect.com.

Earlier this year, WIHS announced the extension of their agreement with Verizon Center through 2016, allowing the show to continue to feature equestrian sport in a high-profile media market and make it more accessible to new audiences. Sponsors benefit from participating in a fantastic sporting and social event, and riders get to compete in front of large, enthusiastic crowds in a city-center sports arena.

WIHS President Victoria Lowell reinforced the significance of these improvements for the 2013 competition, and she looks forward to welcoming top competitors from around the world to Verizon Center this fall.

“Everyone at WIHS understands how important it is to keep providing great competition and significant prize money for the top equestrians that travel to our show each year,” Lowell stated. “We are always looking for ways to improve our competition and make it the best possible event for our exhibitors. We feel that this increase in prize money, plus the improvements to the schedule, is a big step forward for the future of the show.”

The WIHS has a venerable tradition of hosting the best horses and riders with a historical record of competitors featuring Olympians, national champions, many talented young equitation riders, and top-ranking junior, amateur, and pony competitors.

The 2013 Washington International Horse Show anticipates another great year of competition showcasing top equestrian talent at Verizon Center. Find out more by downloading the 2013 WIHS Prize List at www.wihs.org. Entries close on Sept. 3, 2013.

To find out more, please visit www.wihs.org, join us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

About the Washington International Horse Show

An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s only metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with top riders, including Olympic medalists, and their world-class horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show, with many competing all year just to qualify. Highlights include the President’s Cup Grand Prix (a World Cup qualifier), the Puissance (high jump) and WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Exciting equestrian exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities such as Kids’ Day and Breakfast with the Mounted Police round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the WIHS has been a Washington, D.C. institution attended by celebrities, business, military, and diplomatic 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.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com