Tag Archives: Washington Int’l Horse Show

2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Scholarship Recipients Named

Avery Glynn. Photo by McCool Photography.

Washington, D.C. – The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund will honor Avery Glynn, 17, of Chilmark, CA; Emma Fletcher, 17, of Buzzards Bay, MA; and Taylor Griffiths, 17, of Wellington, FL with the prestigious 2019 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Washington International Horse Show Equitation Scholarship. The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) runs October 22-27, 2019, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund (LMCF) is returning for its third year as the title sponsor of the WIHS Equitation Finals. In 2017 LMCF developed the WIHS Equitation Scholarship to recognize the talent, dedication, and hard work of junior riders who compete throughout the year in the hopes of qualifying to participate in the WIHS Equitation Finals.

“It is a pleasure to recognize the incredible riders who have both applied for and received the WIHS Equitation Scholarship. Last year, we expanded the number of scholarship recipients and this year we will continue that growth by honoring three recipients,” said Lindsay Maxwell, founder of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund. “The selection committee was impressed by the caliber of applicants this year, and we are thrilled to honor these three young women at the WIHS Equitation Finals.”

Maxwell continued, “The future of our sport depends on young riders like Avery, Emma, and Taylor, who have continually displayed their dedication to our sport, animal welfare, and their local communities.”

“In the third year of the LMCF WIHS Equitation Finals Scholarship program, the WIHS team is beyond impressed by the quality of the applications and the remarkable talent and commitment of these three young competitors,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “We are ever grateful for the increasing generosity and expanded commitment of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund to this special, one-of-a-kind program.”

In addition to the honors attendant to this accolade, the scholarship will cover expenses such as travel and lodging for the rider and parent, the show’s entry and application fees, equine transportation and stall fees, and special VIP hospitality access. Now in its 28th year, the LMCF WIHS Equitation Finals is a rigorous three-phase competition held over two days. A panel of three judges test and evaluate the riders in hunter, jumper, and work-off rounds to determine the best of the best.

Former Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals champions include former world No. 1 ranked rider Kent Farrington and two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward.

Invitations to compete in the annual Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals are sent to the top 40 junior riders based on points earned during the year-long qualifying period.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

For more information on event schedule and special ticket offers and discounts, visit WIHS.org/tickets.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com

Leaders Named in Washington International Horse Show Rankings

Brooke Morin. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media.

Washington, D.C. – As the summer show jumping season heats up, the rankings for the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), running October 22-27 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., are down to the wire across all levels from coast to coast. The most current WIHS rankings are available online HERE.

New leaders for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals include Tanner Korotkin of Wellington, FL for the East Coast and Brooke Morin of Laguna Beach, CA for the West Coast as anticipation builds for this year-end equitation final. Additionally, after leading throughout the spring season, Hunter Kava and Miss Moneypenny still sit atop the Children’s Jumper ranks.

Qualifying events for the WIHS championships are held at more than 650 horse shows in North America. Riders who earn the most points throughout the year are eligible to compete in the WIHS Championship Finals, which include the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, and the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals.

As the summer competition season kicks off, WIHS congratulates all of the top competitors in the WIHS rankings as of June 14, 2019.

Current leaders include:

  • Tanner Korotkin of Wellington, FL – 3,970 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation East
  • Brooke Morin of Laguna Beach, CA – 2,044 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation West
  • Chago ridden by Jordan Bell of Friendship, MD – 2,374 points – Children’s Hunter
  • Glyndon ridden by Patti Schindler of Reisterstown, MD – 3,050 points – Adult Hunter
  • Miss Moneypenny ridden by Hunter Kava of Parkland, FL – 2,921 points – Children’s Jumper
  • Jimy ridden by Britta Stoeckel of Chicago, IL – 4,056 points – Adult Jumper
  • Caroline Signorino of Basking Ridge, NJ – 764 points – WIHS Pony Equitation

With fewer than three months remaining in the qualifying period, which ends August 31, the race is on for a chance to compete at WIHS and experience an event like no other in the heart of D.C. Riders must be active WIHS members in order for points to count. Membership can be obtained here: www.wihs.org/membership.

Don’t miss the chance to qualify for the WIHS Championships! WIHS looks forward to hosting the best horses and riders from around the nation in 2019 and encourages all riders to continue their drive to qualify. The qualifying period runs from shows starting on or after September 1, 2018 through shows starting on or before August 31, 2019.

For the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, invitations will be extended to the top 40 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period in the East Coast and West Coast Leagues as follows: 30 riders will be invited from the East Coast League and 10 riders will be invited from the West Coast League. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the pony equitation, invitations will be extended to the top 25 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the hunter championships, 29 horse/rider combinations will be accepted in each division, while 25 will be accepted for the jumper championships.

For more information or to sign up to earn points for the WIHS Championship Finals, visit www.wihs.org/membership.

For a complete list of current rankings, visit www.wihs.org/wihs-rankings.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com

Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Clubbers Perfect Their Eq at WIHS Barn Night Clinic

Photo by Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – Some of the riders of the Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club were treated to Washington International Horse Show’s (WIHS) “Fundamentals of Equitation with Stacia Klein Madden” Barn Night Clinic, presented by BarnManager, at Fine Idea Farm in Mt. Airy, MD on Saturday, April 27. Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club won the Group Video Contest, sponsored by BarnManager, during the ever-popular Barn Night at the 60th Anniversary WIHS in October 2018 and earned participation in the clinic as their prize.

Eleven enthusiastic riders between the ages of seven and 16 rode in five groups with an emphasis on perfecting the basics of their riding in order to find success.

“The basics are the same, whether you’re teaching somebody to be on a horse for the first time, or whether you’re trying to win a national championship,” said clinician Madden, one of the top equitation trainers in North America. “It’s just levels and degrees of what you’re trying to fine tune. There’s so much you’re trying to teach at this level, so it’s a lot of fun to be able to get to the bottom of what some of these kids’ problems have been and see if you can scratch the surface of improving them in the hour that you have working with them.

“It’s really refreshing to teach at this level because you can see the kids get it so fast,” continued Madden. “They’re like sponges; they take in the knowledge so fast. When you’re at a grass-roots level, you can see the improvement so much faster.”

Returning to the basics even inspired Madden to bring the philosophy back to her students at Beacon Hill Show Stables based in Colts Neck, NJ. She said, “Teaching is a real passion of mine. Having taught these levels might inspire me to go back to some very simple things with my students at home when I teach this week.”

Pony power was in full force with Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club as most of the participating mounts were pint-sized. For each participant, Madden emphasized the importance of making a plan in both training and competition and taking time to get each piece correct. She stressed that each rider needs to be the “pilot” of their horse with prompt transitions, deep corners, and straight lines.

“My horse tends to take off after the jumps, so going straight and halting after the jumps really helped me and help her to stay calm,” said rider Grace Stronsnider, 16, who piloted Brandy. “At home, I tend to repeat the same exercises over and over, but now I think I’ll have some new ideas. Riding with different people helps me learn. It was cool to ride with someone who has helped people at very high levels.”

“They would have never had this opportunity if it wasn’t for the Washington International Horse Show and BarnManager putting it together for us,” said Carrie Roesler, mother of clinic participant Penelope Roesler, who rode Fleetwood Mac. “Pony Clubs in general are diminishing and it’s not the same as being in a big barn setting where they have clinics all the time. We have some amazing instructors, but somebody like Stacia is definitely the next level. I was impressed how she tailored each lesson to what she saw in the first five minutes and was able to correct some things that the girls have been working on for a really long time.

“I think Penelope had a huge confidence boost,” continued Carrie. “She’s just started to ride that horse after being on a little pony. Two weeks ago, she was barely cantering on him, even though she’d been jumping big jumps on her pony. When Stacia said, ‘You’re going to jump all these jumps and canter to them,’ I saw her eyes widen. But I think she needed that push, and I think she’s taking home a lot of confidence.”

One of the most popular nights at WIHS, Barn Night takes place Thursday, October 24, and welcomes local barns and horse enthusiasts of all ages for an evening of fun and exciting jumping competition, including chances to participate in group contests like Group Spirit, Group Banner, Group Video, and Largest Group (Md., Va., D.C./Other, and Overall).

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Early Spring Rankings for Washington International Horse Show Heat Up

Mae Mannis, leader of the WIHS Pony Equitation Division, riding Days of Our Lives. Photo by Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – The first set of rankings have been released for the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), running October 22-27 at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C., and competition is already fierce from coast to coast.

Qualifying events for the WIHS championships are held at more than 650 horse shows in North America. Riders who earn the most points throughout the year are eligible to compete in the WIHS Championship Finals, which include the $10,000 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, $10,000 WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, and WIHS Pony Equitation Finals.

New leaders for the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals include Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, IL for the East Coast and Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Canton Country, CA for the West Coast as anticipation heats up for this year-end equitation final. Additionally, after a championship at the 60th Anniversary WIHS in 2018, Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL and Co-Starr are poised for another banner year with 2,082 points already in the Adult Jumper ranks.

View Complete Rankings

As the summer competition season kicks off, WIHS congratulates all of the top competitors in the WIHS rankings as of March 1, 2019.

Current leaders include:

  • Alexandra Pielet of Highland Park, IL – 2,128 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable WIHS Equitation East
  • Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Canyon Country, CA – 1,134 points – Lindsay Maxwell Charitable WIHS Equitation West
  • Greatness VDK ridden by Harper Peterson of Vienna, VA – 1,638 points – Children’s Hunter
  • Glyndon ridden by Pattie Schindler of Reistertown, MD – 1,350 points – Adult Hunter
  • Miss Moneypenny ridden by Hunter Kava of Parkland, FL – 1,946 points – Children’s Jumper
  • Co-Starr ridden by Stephanie King of St. Augustine, FL – 2,082 points – Adult Jumper
  • Mae Mannis of Woodbury, CT – 617 points – WIHS Pony Equitation

With six months remaining in the qualifying period, which ends August 31, there is still plenty of time to qualify for a chance to compete at WIHS and experience an event like no other in the heart of D.C. Riders must be active WIHS members in order for points to count.

“The WIHS Finals have cemented their place on riders’ calendars as a truly unique and special culmination of a year’s hard work. The experience of showing in front of thousands of fans in a professional hockey and basketball arena is unforgettable,” said WIHS Executive Director Mary Helen Shaughnessy. “The summer qualifying season always shakes up the rankings and this year’s finals are shaping up to be a showcase of the best horses and riders across the country!”

Don’t miss the chance to qualify for the WIHS Championships! WIHS looks forward to hosting the best horses and riders from around the nation in 2019 and encourages all riders to continue their drive to qualify. The qualifying period runs from shows starting on or after September 1, 2018, through shows starting on or before August 31, 2019.

For the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, invitations will be extended to the top 40 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period in the East Coast and West Coast Leagues as follows: 30 riders will be invited from the East Coast League and 10 riders will be invited from the West Coast League. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the pony equitation, invitations will be extended to the top 25 junior riders who are eligible to compete based on their points earned during the qualifying period. Letters of invitation will be mailed in September. For the hunter championships, 29 horse/rider combinations will be accepted in each division, while 25 will be accepted for the jumper championships.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Applications Now Being Accepted for 2019 WIHS Junior Committee

Channel 7 visits with the Junior Committee at the WIHS Breakfast with the Mounted Police community event. Photo Alden Corrigan Media.

Washington, D.C. – Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Junior Committee & Youth Ambassador Program presented by Signature Academics. This innovative program, now in its 10th year, is an opportunity for Washington-area teens to be a part of the inner workings of one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. WIHS returns Oct. 22-27, 2019, to Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

“The WIHS Junior Committee & Youth Ambassador Program represents the heart of the show,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “These motivated teens are passionate about horse sports, and that’s what brings them to us, but they’re also great students and actively involved in giving back to the local community. We appreciate their creativity and teamwork in helping make WIHS such an exciting and special event every year.”

Each year through an application process, WIHS management selects approximately 30 teens from public, charter, and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to join the WIHS Junior Committee. Working with WIHS staff, committee members participate in planning and brainstorming meetings, learn new skills, and work on youth and community activities.

Join the WIHS Junior Committee

During show week, Junior Committee members serve as tour guides and press escorts, manage the Snapchat takeover, and share equestrian knowledge to help educate show visitors about horses and horse sport. Junior Committee members also are involved in equine-related volunteer activities, culminating in the ever-popular WIHS Kids’ Day on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The WIHS Youth Ambassador holds a leadership role as chair of the Junior Committee and represents the show’s youth perspective to the media. Those wishing to be considered for the position as 2019 WIHS Youth Ambassador will need to complete an additional application to showcase strengths in leadership and management.

“We are delighted to return for the third year as sponsor of the WIHS Junior Committee,” said Wendy Salomon, Executive Director of Signature Academics, a leading provider of educational services for student athletes, including one-to-one fully accredited school in Wellington, Fla. “The WIHS Junior Committee members are an exceptional group of teens, and it’s our pleasure to support their efforts in leveraging a love of horses into fun and innovative programs, like Barn Night and Kids’ Day, for show spectators and the local community.”

Since 2014, Salomon, an avid equestrian herself, and her Signature team have been tutoring equestrian student-athletes year-round in Wellington, seasonally in Ocala, Fla., and at major national horse shows, including Washington. “We specialize in supporting equestrian student-athletes who place a high value on education,” said Salomon. “Our goal is to provide peace of mind to students and families that academic achievement remains the number one priority, even in the face of non-stop training, traveling, and competition.”

During show week, Signature Academics team members can be found working with students in the Signature Academics study center, located on the competition level at WIHS.

The deadline to submit applications is April 1, 2019. Applicants must be students between the ages of 14 and 18 enrolled at local Washington, D.C.-area schools.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Washington International Horse Show Celebrates in the City

Horses on the streets of Washington D.C. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media.

The Washington International Horse Show left its mark on downtown Washington D.C. yet again in 2018 by hosting a 60th anniversary celebration like no other in the heart of the capital city. Cementing its place in the framework of North American show jumping competition and culture, the 60th anniversary of WIHS was one for the record books.

“This was a 60th celebration better than we could have imagined,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “To be able to showcase top sport year after year for the fans of this event and show jumping in general is fantastic. It was quite an event, and an even better celebration. I can’t wait for the next 60!”

WIHS hopes to keep the history of this show alive and bring new competitors and spectators for another 60 years to come. Text the word HORSE to 50155 and follow the prompts to make a donation to keep horses coming to the city. Every little bit helps.

Top Sport at Capital One Arena

After a $41 million renovation that took place at Capital One Arena over the past year, WIHS welcomed some of the world’s best horses and show jumping athletes to the event with four-time U.S. Olympian Beezie Madden and Breitling LS taking home top call in the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington, presented by Events DC. WIHS has hosted this prestigious international event for three years as part of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League, which was live streamed worldwide through FEI TV in 2018.

Visiting riders representing Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and Switzerland rounded out an international field all vying for points for the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, to be held next April in Göteborg, Sweden. Adding to the international flavor of the event, German course designer Olaf Petersen, Jr. set the tracks at WIHS.

Also highlighting the elite multi-disciplinary competition that includes hunters, jumpers, and equitation and has grown to define WIHS, 16-year-old Elli Yeager won the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals. The sought-after event featured 40 of the nation’s top young riders with two competitors appearing as Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant recipients. Ava Stearns, 17, of Chilmark, MA and Juliette Joseph, 16, of San Diego, CA were chosen to receive the grants.

“The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund is proud to continue its support of the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Finals,” said Founder Lindsay Maxwell, philanthropist and successful amateur rider. “The Finals are a cherished benchmark for young riders, and it’s an honor to be able to support the development of the next generation of talented equestrians. The incredible quality of the applicants for the 2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant speaks volumes about the future of our sport.”

Taking home the win in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals was Samantha Takacs of Oldwick, NJ aboard Storyteller.

In the hunter ranks, the 2018 WIHS Grand Hunter Championship was awarded to Bastogne, ridden by Hunt Tosh and owned by Ceil Wheeler, while Scott Stewart claimed the Leading Hunter Rider Award, presented by Dr. Betsee Parker. For amateurs, the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship was awarded to Catch Me, ridden by Becky Gochman. Catch Me also received the inaugural Technicolor Award, donated by Lindsay Maxwell in memory of her beloved mount Technicolor. Maxwell took home the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship, presented by Ernest and Betty Oare with Belgravia. Legacy and Ashley Vogel were the Grand Junior Hunter champions, while Tessa Downey rode her Anisette to Grand Pony Hunter Champion honors.

Sport, both past and present, was celebrated during WIHS with legendary horseman Joe Fargis being inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame. A team and individual gold medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Fargis boasts five decades of involvement with WIHS as a competitor and judge as well as serving on the show’s Board of Directors. He won the President’s Cup Grand Prix at WIHS in 1984 aboard his gold-medal Olympic partner, Touch of Class.

Additionally, members of 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon gold medal-winning U.S. team, including Laura Kraut, Devin Ryan, Adrienne Sternlicht, McLain Ward, and alternate Beezie Madden, were on hand to meet the fans of WIHS for an autograph signing at the Land Rover concourse booth.

Stepping into D.C.

The equine stars of the Washington International Horse Show immersed the city of Washington, D.C. in horse show culture. With horses cruising into town in Johnson Horse Transportation tractor trailers, being stabled at 7th Street and F Street NW and quite literally walking the streets of the city, the citizens of Washington, D.C. experienced horses first-hand.

Engaging the D.C. community has always been a pillar of WIHS and 2018 was no different. The return of Kids’ Day, presented and supported by WIHS Junior Committee and its presenting sponsor Signature Academics, as well as Breakfast with the Mounted Police hosted by Hotel Monaco and supported by Ride TV, brought horses to the city.

WIHS also embraced the honor and service of the U.S. military with Military Night, presented by Caterpillar Inc., which featured a win for Aaron Vale and Finou 4 in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance for the third year in a row. Together, they cleared 6’11 ½” to take the victory.

“I’ve always had a love for this class,” said Vale. “It’s about the only one left in the country, so it’s special to come do it, especially in front of such a great crowd.”

Military Night honored guests like Maj. Gen. William J. Walker, Commanding General, District of Columbia National Guard, and hosted the Armed Forces Reception presented by RBC Wealth Management to raise funds for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) in the PwC Club. In the ring, the “Jump for Taps” initiative raised $12,000. Other military honors included “Big D” and Sergeant Russell Robar, members of the Baltimore Police Mounted Unit, accepting the 6th Annual WIHS Klinger Perpetual Award for Honor and Service, presented by EQUUS Foundation and The Stephens Family.

The WIHS Military Ticket program, funded by Man O’ War Project in partnership with Columbia University Irving Medical Center, with support from Land Rover, Delta, Caterpillar, Inc., Travelers, and RBC Wealth Management, provided complimentary tickets to members of the military and their families. More than 30,000 tickets have been distributed since the program began in 2009.

Anniversary Fun

What’s a celebration without a little fun? In honor of its 60th anniversary, WIHS invited fans to join them for fierce competition, as well as exhibitions that included famed Australian horseman, entertainer, and bush poet Guy McLean, the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen, a performance by The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and appearances of the stars of Billy and Blaze, The Movie.

The biggest nod to the WIHS anniversary was historical displays throughout the Capital One Arena concourse and honorary ticket pricing. Matching the ticket price of the inaugural WIHS in 1958, tickets were only $2 on opening day and commemorative show programs were on sale for just $1.

Barn Night, presented by Barn Manager, Charles Owen, The Clothes Horse, The Equiery, The Loft at Meadowbrook, United Metro Golf Cart, Dover Saddlery, and US Equestrian, welcomed young horse enthusiasts to WIHS with contests and prizes. Riders dressed in costume for the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class. Most notably, U.S. Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward honored the Washington Capitals hockey team by dressing as Alex Ovechkin, while The Best Costume Award was given to Andy Kocher, dressed as a pirate.

Taking place during Barn Night in conjunction with the Buck Breast Cancer Benefit, 10 clear rounds over the Buck Breast Cancer jump donated $5,000 to the Capital Breast Care Center thanks to the Tolkan Family. Also presented during Barn Night, the Laura Pickett Award for Excellence presented by Charles Ancona and Vicki Lowell was given to Beatrice VanSant and trainer Ginia Wilbrandt in memory of beloved local trainer Laura Pickett, who lost her battle with breast cancer after a five-year fight.

Whether it was a trip to the Delta Winners Circle after earning a blue ribbon and a box of signature Georgetown Cupcakes in the ring, shopping the WIHS Souvenir Store staffed by the George Washington University Riding Team, placing a bid in the WIHS Silent Auction, meeting a riding idol, or simply soaking in some horses in the city, the 60th Anniversary WIHS was one for the record books for competitors and spectators alike. WIHS will return to Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. for a 61st season from October 22 through 27, 2019, with the best of show jumping competition, renowned entertainment, and more WIHS champions.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

WIHS Creates Regional Horse Show Committee, Names Beezie Madden as Int’l Show Advisor

Beezie Madden (USA) and Breitling LS presented as winners of the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington, presented by Events DC, by WIHS President Vicki Lowell. Photo by Jump Media.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) announces steps to build on the success of the 60th Anniversary Show by establishing a special committee for the WIHS Regional Horse Show and naming U.S. Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden as the new WIHS International Show Advisor. WIHS is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events and will celebrate 61 years on October 22-27, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.

The WIHS Regional Horse Show, also host to the USHJA Zone 3 Championships, is held at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD on October 18-20, 2019. The WIHS Regional Committee will be chaired by WIHS Board Member Judy Bishop and will comprise members from the Zone 3 Committee, Zone 3 trainers, and WIHS staff members. Committee members include:

  • Judy Bishop – Chair
  • Alan Lohman – Zone 3 Committee Representative
  • Streett Moore – Zone 3 Committee Representative
  • Rachel Kennedy – Zone 3 Professional
  • Tracy Magness – Zone 3 Professional
  • Lara McPherson – WIHS Staff Representative
  • Elizabeth Mellen – WIHS Staff Representative
  • Tom Blankenship – WIHS Regional Horse Show Manager

The goal of the committee is to further elevate and enhance the overall exhibitor experience of the WIHS Regional Horse Show through sponsorship, hospitality, and other improvements. The committee will seek feedback and input from exhibitors and make recommendations to the WIHS Board of Directors.

Beezie Madden, the winner of the 2018 Longines/FEI World Cup Jumping Washington and the reigning FEI Jumping World Cup Finals champion, will review the International Jumper division schedule working closely with Show Manager David Distler and make recommendations to ensure WIHS continues to be a top event on the international jumping calendar.

“It is our collective goal to keep both the downtown event and the regional show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center as premier championship competitions on the calendar that riders of all levels aspire to compete at each year,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “WIHS is a special event that has a storied history, which takes commitment from staff and volunteers to ensure it continues as a strong and successful event for years to come. As the last remaining U.S. indoor show in a major metropolitan sporting arena, it is critical we remain focused on creating the best experience possible for horses, competitors, and spectators. I would like to thank these important volunteers for stepping up to help us continue bringing horses to downtown D.C. and recognizing the importance of our regional competition as well.”

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Tessa Downey and Anisette Are Grand on Final Day of 60th Anniversary WIHS

Tessa Downey and Anisette. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

October 28, 2018 – Washington, D.C. – The 60th anniversary Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) concluded on Sunday, October 28, at Capital One Arena in downtown D.C. with the naming of the 2018 Grand Pony Hunter Champion, as well as WIHS Pony Equitation Finals and WIHS Regional Hunter Finals winners.

Taking the weeklong show’s top pony hunter honor was Tessa Downey of Houston, TX riding her own Anisette.

Downey, 13, and the 12-year-old black Welsh Pony Cross mare topped two of the Medium Pony Hunter over fences classes and finished second in the handy to earn the Medium Pony Hunter Championship, for which they were presented the Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy, donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Lt.

The pair’s consistent rounds proved to be enough to then clinch the Miles River Moonglow Perpetual Trophy, donated by Scott Novick & Rustic Woods, as the Grand Pony Hunter Champions. Downey and Anisette also received the Potomac Trophy for the High Score Junior Hunter Rider on a Pony, and Downey was named the Best Child Rider on a Pony, sponsored by Gotham North. For the Best Child Rider award, Downey received the Captain V.S. Littauer Perpetual Trophy.

“I grew up watching Maddie Schaefer and everyone who is now in the big eq win this trophy, and I’m just super excited. We came here just with our goal being to jog in every class. That was our goal at Harrisburg too; we just wanted to be consistent. Then we go and this happens, and we’re over the moon!” – Tessa Downey

Downey started riding Anisette this past year, after purchasing the mare from the Hoch family, and she has seen great success with her since, including winning the Medium Pony Hunter Championship at the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Pony Finals in August.

Samantha Takacs Rides to Redemption in WIHS Pony Equitation Finals

Samantha Takacs of Oldwick, NJ scored an 88 in the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals to take home top honors riding Storyteller. The win was a redeeming effort for Takacs after going off course from the first in the order in the very same class during the 2017 WIHS.

“Last year was my first time at WIHS and this year I was really hoping I did the course correctly. I was a little bit nervous because I hadn’t shown in the hunters at this show this year because I didn’t have a horse to ride so today was my first trip.” – Samantha Takacs

Thirteen-year-old Takacs borrowed the ride on Storyteller, owned by Temple Equestrian, LLC and leaded by Caroline Signorino. Despite qualifying for the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, Takacs didn’t have a mount available to compete and jumped her first fence with Storyteller the morning of the final.

“I am so thankful that my friend Caroline and Temple Equestrian were both kind enough to let me borrow him,” said Takacs of the 15-year-old German Sport Pony gelding. “I rode him this morning and I felt like he was such a good boy and we were a good match. Then in the schooling area, I got a little self-conscious and wasn’t sure how it was going to. But, once I got in the ring I knew he would do it for me.”

After the jumping phase of the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals, the top ten riders were tested on the flat. Takacs pocketed the top score to best second-place finisher Kat Fuqua, who finished one point off the lead with an 87.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com

Beezie Madden and Breitling LS Are Best at Washington International Horse Show

Beezie Madden. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – October 27, 2018 – The 60th Anniversary Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) came to a peak on Saturday, October 27, with a victory for reigning FEI Jumping World Cup™ champions Beezie Madden (USA) and Breitling LS in the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington, presented by Events DC. Earlier in the evening, 16-year-old Elli Yeager claimed the coveted Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals riding Copperfield 39.

A four-time U.S. Olympian, Madden topped a 24-horse field by more than two seconds in 30.74 seconds for owner Abigail Wexner over courses built by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany. From a four-horse jump-off, she edged out Katherine Dinan (USA) riding Dougie Douglas, owned by Grant Road Partners, LLC, who sat on a leading time of 32.93 seconds.

Madden’s silver medal teammate from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Lucy Davis (USA), rounded out an all-female podium in 33.44 seconds riding Caracho 14, owned by Old Oak Farm.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam rounded out the jump-off with a four-fault performance for fourth place riding Don’t Touch Du Bois, owned by Sweet Oak Farm, Spy Coast Farm, and Paul Tracy. A 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games team gold medalist, Laura Kraut (USA) finished fifth with the fastest four-fault ride from the opening round aboard Confu, owned by St. Bride’s Farm.

“This was his first indoor event of the year, so it’s nice to see that he’s in form. It shows why he was good at the World Cup [Final]; he walked right in here and was clever, rideable, adjustable, careful, and he can handle tight spaces like this.” – Beezie Madden

A quick horse by nature, Madden relied on Breitling’s foot speed to shave significant time off the clock, saying, “I thought one to two was a little bit of a tough turn to a big jump, so I didn’t think that was really the place to win it. I feel like I was a touch slow there, but then I knew my horse has some speed, and he’s quite good at turning, so I think I made it up at the turns on both ends, particularly the last turn.”

Madden has set her sights on the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Göteborg (SWE) with a solid string of horses to choose from.

Elli Yeager Earns 2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals Victory

Elli Yeager, 16, of Wellington, FL, bested a field of 40 of the nation’s top junior riders to win the 2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals on Saturday.

In order to win the competitive, year-end equitation final, Yeager had to earn the highest cumulative score over three phases of competition: a hunter phase held on Friday, a jumper phase held on Saturday afternoon, and a final work-off held during Saturday night’s featured session. Riders’ average scores from the first two rounds were combined, with the 10 top-ranked competitors then swapping horses in the work-off.

Yeager and her longtime partner, Copperfield 39, topped the hunter phase with a score of 92.50 and finished fourth in the jumper phase with a score of 91.25 for a 183.75 total going into the final round.

The win in the jumper phase went to Coco Fath of Fairfield, CT on a score of 94.50. With a fourth-place finish and a score of 89.25 in the hunter phase, Fath’s cumulative total also sat on 183.75, putting she and her Beacon Hill Show Stables barn mate, Yeager, in a tie going into the final round.

For the work-off, the two front-runners swapped mounts, with Fath taking over the ride aboard Copperfield 39, and Yeager taking the reins on Fath’s mount, equitation championship veteran Class Action, who won the Finals in 2008 with Katherine Newman.

While both delivered seamless rounds, a well-executed inside turn by Yeager, which Fath elected to forego, would give Yeager the slight, tie-breaking advantage and ultimately the 2018 WIHS Equitation Finals victory.

For the win, Yeager was presented with the WIHS Equitation Classic Trophy, donated by Mr. & Mrs. G. Ralph Ours III, and as the winning horse, Copperfield 39 was awarded the Lugano Memorial Trophy, donated by Stoney Hill.

“This is my favorite horse show, and it went better than I ever could have imagined! I didn’t think this was ever going to happen to be honest – especially just being 16. But it happened, and I’m just elated that it happened here at my favorite horse show with my favorite horse who is the best partner that I could ask for.” – Elli Yeager

Yeager has been riding her winning mount, a 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding, for nearly six years.

“Over the years, I’ve grown about 10 inches, but he’s always been the same,” said Yeager. “He always has his game face on. He’s never let me down. He’s been the best horse I could have ever asked for.”

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com

Aaron Vale Soars to Great Heights to Win $25,000 Land Rover Puissance

Aaron Vale and Finou 4. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – October 26, 2018 – The 60th Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Friday, October 26, with some of its most exciting competition yet, featuring the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final, won by Georgina Bloomberg of New York, NY on Paola 233. Reaching great heights with victory in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance were Aaron Vale of Williston, FL and Finou 4. The classes were part of a full schedule of exciting competition and entertaining exhibitions during Military Night, presented by Caterpillar, Inc.

The $25,000 Land Rover Puissance is one of the most popular classes at WIHS to attend, and Friday night’s feature class didn’t disappoint. Aaron Vale and Finou 4, owned by Thinks Like A Horse, jumped to a height of 6’11 ½” to capture victory for the third year in a row.

With a small field in the class, it came down to two very game riders that kept going over five rounds of competition. The wall started at 5’9” and was raised to 6’2”, 6’6”, 6’8 ½”, and finally to 6’11 ½”. Vale and Finou 4 stayed clear, while Andy Kocher and Blaze of Glory II, owned by Erica Hatfield, made it to the final round before knocking blocks off the top of the wall to finish in second place.

“I was just hoping somebody could hang in there a while, so we could get a decent class for the crowd. It was great. Andy’s horse jumped it well and hung in there until the last round. It made a really good class and worked out the way that I wanted. I got a little competition, but I still got the blue!” – Aaron Vale

This is Vale’s fifth win in the puissance class at WIHS, with previous wins coming in 1996 with Big Joe, in 1998 on Happyness, and now three consecutive years with Finou 4, who seems to have a certain something that makes him successful over the big wall – despite blindness in his left eye.

“He’s got a lot of ability,” said Vale of the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by For Pleasure. “He’s very limber, plus he’s got a lot of power, so it just seems to be easy for him. I think they could keep raising it, and I’d keep riding him to it.”

Georgina Bloomberg Bests $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final

Riding over a faults-converted speed course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Germany, Georgina Bloomberg and Paola 233, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare by Pontifex owned by Gotham Enterprizes LLC, sped to victory in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final. The handy grey mare and Bloomberg finished clear in 52.90 seconds, edging out McLain Ward (USA) on Walstib Stables LLC’s Queen Jane, who recorded a time of 53.15 seconds.

Third place went to last night’s winner, 17-year-old Brian Moggre (USA), this time riding MTM Vivre le Reve, owned by Major Wager LLC, in 53.39 seconds. Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Catoki’s Son Z, owned by Ilan Ferder & Tal Milstein, were fourth with a time of 53.52 seconds. Aaron Vale (USA) and Sleepy P Ranch LLC’s Major were fifth in 54.66 seconds.

Bloomberg used Paola’s natural ability to rise to the top of the class.

“She has a good enough stride, but she doesn’t need to leave out strides. She’s really quick in the turns, and she’s very quick in the air. Given the option, I always play it safe, and I add a stride because I know I can be quicker other places. Really any of the other options of leaving out strides I didn’t love for her. I felt like I could just be quicker by turning and using her natural speed.” – Georgina Bloomberg

With a light competition schedule since the Hampton Classic Horse Show in late August, Bloomberg aimed Paola for WIHS.

“We brought her here with these two [speed] classes at WIHS in mind. This was my goal for her.”

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com