WASHINGTON, October 4, 2017–The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America, is pleased to announce Admiral, the mainstay of the equine-assisted activities and therapies programs at Bridle Paths in Leesburg, Va., as winner of the Fifth Annual WIHS Klinger Perpetual Award for Honor & Service, presented by EQUUS Foundation, The Stephens Family and the American Horse Council.
The award recognizes a horse, individual, or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service as embodied by Klinger, a special horse who has touched the lives of many in his life of service with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Platoon.
This year’s winner is a gentle giant, a 12-year-old Percheron-Thoroughbred cross gelding standing 17.3 hands high. He carries therapeutic riding clients with care and dignity, enabling child and adult riders alike to reach new heights, both literally and figuratively.
“Perhaps nowhere does Admiral shine more than in his work with veterans, service members, and their families,” said Kathleen Fallon, President of Bridle Paths. “In both mounted and unmounted work, he inspires those who serve to connect with honesty and authenticity, and to lead with clarity, consistency and integrity. Through his work with the Bridle Paths program, Admiral builds relationships in which clients can be genuine and sincere, think clearly about their challenges, and achieve growth, learning, and healing.”
Admiral will be recognized during a presentation at center ring with Klinger and representatives of the Caisson Platoon, WIHS, EQUUS Foundation and the American Horse Council on Friday, October 27, during the annual WIHS Military Night. The recipient will receive prizes courtesy of American Horse Council and Centaur and will have the opportunity to select an equine charity on EQUUS Foundation’s Equine Welfare Network to receive a $500 grant matched by a $500 donation from The Stephens Family.
The Klinger Perpetual Award for Honor Service is named for Klinger, a special horse who has touched the lives of many in his life of service with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, (The Old Guard Caisson Platoon). Photo: Alden Corrigan Media
At The Old Guard, Klinger performs solemn duties as a funeral escort bringing departed military members to their final resting spot at Arlington National Cemetery, and serves as the official escort to the President of the United States and has led the Presidential Inaugural Parade.
Beyond his official duties, Klinger brings comfort to veterans and families of our fallen heroes in his role as a Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Ambassador and he has been an important part of WIHS for many years – visiting with children on WIHS Kids’ Day and participating in the Caisson Platoon Exhibition on WIHS Military Night. It is both fitting and a great honor that WIHS should salute him through this special award program.
The Klinger Award is offered annually. Nomination forms for the Sixth Annual Klinger Award for Honor and Service will be available in July 2018. Learn more at www.wihs.org/klinger-award.
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About Washington International Horse Show, wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events attracting more than 26,000 spectators annually to Washington, D.C., for Olympic-level competition plus community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders arrive from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC, the $25,000 Puissance high jump and $50,000 Speed Final on Military Night and Kids’ Day, a free, fun and educational community event. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competition, is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization based in Washington, D.C.
About Bridle Paths
Bridle Paths is a nonprofit organization that offers strength, support, and healing to individuals and families through safe, effective, and high-quality equine-assisted activities and therapies. The Bridle Paths program provides a continuum of services that is unique in the Northern Virginia area. By combining the ground-based activities of equine-assisted psychotherapy and the mounted and horsemanship activities of therapeutic riding, Bridle Paths programs can benefit both families and the community.
Bridle Paths is a nonprofit organization that offers strength, support, and healing to individuals and families through safe, effective, and high-quality equine-assisted activities and therapies. The Bridle Paths program provides a continuum of services that is unique in the Northern Virginia area. By combining the ground-based activities of equine-assisted psychotherapy and the mounted and horsemanship activities of therapeutic riding, Bridle Paths programs can benefit both families and the community.
The program serves those with a wide variety of needs and diagnoses, including brain injuries and physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, post traumatic stress, anxiety and depression, seizure disorders, and experiences of abuse and trauma. Our staff has particular experience in working with families coping with the challenges of a special needs diagnosis, and with at-risk adolescents and young adults and their families.
Bridle Paths is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), and our staff members are certified by PATH and EAGALA. Learn more at
About EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, the only national animal welfare charity in the United States dedicated solely to horse welfare and the horse-human bond. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, (203) 259-1550, mail@equusfoundation.org, www.equusfoundation.org.
