Upper Marlboro, MD – The magic, the memories, and the absolute best of indoor show jumping return with the 2025 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS Equestrian™ in The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center on October 20–26. With nearly $1 million in prize money, a star-studded lineup of Olympic-caliber athletes, family-friendly fun, and an elevated experience for all, this year’s WIHS is set to be best-in-class on every level.
WIHS is turning up the energy, raising the bar, and meeting the expectations of riders and fans alike with major updates to its event schedule and footing — all designed to enhance competition, audience excitement, and the indoor quality that only WIHS can deliver.
Recent recipient of the jumping rider best style award at CHIO Aachen and member of the winning U.S. Jumping team at the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup, Lillie Keenan is one of many top international athletes who attend WIHS. Photo by Incanto Sports Group
A Revamped Schedule Will Have
Everyone Cheering
Military Night is now on Thursday, October 23, featuring the $63,000 Welcome Stake for international jumpers and the new $63,000 Stars and Stripes Speed Stake, where speed, precision, and patriotic spirit shine, and competitors ride for the Eisenhower Cup Trophy. Who will be the fastest rider of the night?
The new $63,000 Stars and Stripes Speed Stake on Thursday’s Military Night will award the prestigious Eisenhower Cup Trophy to the class winner. Photo by Incanto Sports Group
By popular demand, MARS Barn Night moves to Friday, October 24, and it’s bringing a full evening of fun! Get ready for the wildly entertaining $63,000 Accumulator Costume Class, where elite riders and their horses compete in full Halloween regalia. Plus, fans can meet their idols during an autograph signing, cheer for their favorite barns, participate in a variety of contests for fantastic prizes, and enjoy the fan-favorite WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Race. This year’s MARS Barn Night theme is “Wild for WIHS,” so start planning your safari-themed outfits!
The always-popular WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Race will run on Friday. Photo by KTB Creative Group
MARS Barn Night moves to Friday and includes some of the world’s best show jumpers in Halloween costumes racing to win the Accumulator class. Photo by Hannah Jones Photography
In her debut appearance at WIHS, internationally acclaimed equestrian performer Sylvia Zerbini will captivate the audience on Friday night with her own magical troupe of 12 Arabian horses at liberty. Zerbini is a ninth-generation circus artist, and the former Cavalia and Ringling Circus star and trainer has amazed and enchanted more than 10 million fans worldwide.
Mark on your calendar in bold for Saturday night, October 25, when the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W takes center stage, welcoming the world’s top show jumping athletes. Earlier in the evening, the WIHS Equitation Final Work-Off will showcase the top 10 junior riders trading mounts in one of the most prestigious junior finals in the country.
Sylvia Zerbini will perform on MARS Barn Night and on Saturday with her own magical troupe of 12 Arabian horses at liberty. Photo courtesy of Sylvia Zerbini
Kids’ Day presented by Delta Air Lines on Saturday is a unique offering that welcomes the local community. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media
Don’t miss Kids’ Day presented by Delta Air Lines on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a free, rain-or-shine family event full of pony rides, crafts, a pony kissing booth, plus daytime access to the horse show at no charge. Sylvia Zerbini and her Grande Liberté horses will perform again on Saturday afternoon. Kids’ Day is an unforgettable introduction to the magic of horses and the world of WIHS.
New Footing, Elevated Performance
WIHS aims for excellence every year. In 2025, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is joining WIHS as a Platinum-level sponsor investing in brand-new footing that meets the highest standards of safety, comfort, and performance. This new competition surface provides optimal traction, cushioning, and stability — delivering a dust-free, forgiving arena for peak equine performance all week long.
Provided by Footing First and installed by JTWG, Inc., the footing will be exclusive to WIHS.
WIHS is raising the bar in 2025 and offering an indoor show experience like no other in the U.S. Photo by Hannah Jones Photography
To ensure this world-class experience for spectators and competitors continues, WIHS has reached an agreement with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to secure its home at Prince George’s Equestrian Center through 2028, reinforcing its commitment to growth, consistency, and the enduring evolution of one of America’s most iconic indoor shows.
“WIHS has evolved over 67 years and five different locations,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “We have found a welcoming and supportive home through 2028 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center and with the Town of Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, and the State of Maryland. We have embraced this venue and know that we can continue to find ways to set new standards for the sport there. The facility is incredibly horse friendly, and we consider athlete, spectator, and all stakeholders’ feedback every year to make WIHS a superior experience. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to WIHS in 2025 and beyond.”
Don’t Miss the Magic of Washington
With an upgraded schedule, enhanced competition surface, and unforgettable entertainment, the 2025 Washington International Horse Show is set to deliver an experience like no other. Join us as we celebrate the return of magic, meet the moment with excellence, and raise the bar once again for indoor equestrian sport.
WIHS continues to evolve as one of America’s iconic indoor horse shows. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media
The horse show prize list and tickets on Ticketmaster will be available soon — so stay tuned, and get ready to experience the thrill, tradition, and excitement of WIHS like never before.
For more information, visit www.wihs.org.
