Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA. – September 30, 2022 – The 64th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS Equestrian triumphantly returns to the Washington, D.C. area from October 24 through 30 at The Show Place Arena, Prince George’s Equestrian Center (PGEC) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. For seven days and three nights, WIHS will showcase thrilling equestrian sport, entertaining exhibitions, and special events for the whole family.
Barn Night — Thursday, October 27
Barn Night celebrates the camaraderie of barns and horse-loving groups with a program of contests and prizes. This year’s contest theme, “Gallop Green,” in partnership with “Green is the New Blue,” encourages barns to take strides to reduce our carbon hoofprints by sharing eco-friendly ideas for a chance to win great prizes!
Local students from Frederick Douglass High School will perform the National Anthem before international jumper competition kicks off with the $75,000 International Jumper FEI Welcome Stake followed by the $37,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class where top riders go wild with fun and surprising costumes.
Military Night Presented by Boeing — Friday, October 28
WIHS will honor its close relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces on Military Night presented by Boeing. Setting the tone for the evening, Voices of Service, featuring retired military veterans, will perform the Star-Spangled Banner. (The group finished in the top five on America’s Got Talent season 14!). Look for the “Jump for TAPS” American flag fence during the $75,000 International Jumper FEI Speed Final benefiting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the WIHS Official Military Charity since 2010.
The evening exhibitions start with a dressage demonstration by Redha Gharsa and Battlefield Angel HP AKA “Ezra.” Ezra’s owner, Rhiannon Barreda, is a retired U.S. Army MEDEVAC pilot. She served abroad for more than 10 years in Afghanistan, Korea, Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar, bringing wounded and fallen soldiers to a safe zone. Ezra’s performance is a salute to veterans and active military personnel for their service and sacrifice.
Making its welcome return to WIHS, Jack Russell terrier racing will keep the energy going with 12 zippy and lovable terriers zooming through The Show Place Arena for ribbons and prize money.
The $25,000 International Jumper Puissance caps off the thrills with brave horses and riders jumping the great wall until only one combination remains fault free. The North American indoor record to beat is 7’ 7-1/2,” set at WIHS in 1983!
The WIHS Honor and Service Award will be presented to a horse, individual, or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service. In 2013, the first recipient of the award was the Caisson Platoon’s Klinger, a special horse who has touched the lives of many through his life of service with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon.
ETHOS Award Champagne Brunch – Saturday, October 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
WIHS is honored to host the inaugural ETHOS Award Ceremony. Open to the public, the event will honor the contributions of African Americans to the horse world. This year’s honorees, whose individual and collective efforts have advanced equestrian sport, are from families where excellence in equestrian sport has spanned more than one generation. Honoree Donna Marie Cheek will receive a special ETHOS Award for her participation as the first Black member of the United States Equestrian Team. Click HERE to learn about all six honorees.
World Cup Night — Saturday, October 29
Saturday hosts the marquee event, the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup presented by Experience Prince George’s.
D.C. Washington, the voice of Washington sports, will perform the National Anthem before the nation’s top junior riders enter the ring for the final phase of the coveted WIHS Equitation Championship. Later, the Shetland Ponies and their junior jockeys will be ready to race in the final event in the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series.]
Kids’ Day, Presented by Delta Air Lines — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at National Harbor and on Saturday, October 29, at PGEC
This year’s Kids’ Day is twice as nice, with two educational and fun events to bring two times the fun! Events will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at National Harbor on Saturday, October 22, and at PGEC on Saturday, October 29. Admission is free for both events.
Source: Press Release by Kara Pinato Scro / Jump Media for the Washington International Horse Show
Photos: © Jump Media / Alden Corrigan Media / Stunning Steeds Photography / Shawn McMillen Photography
