Washington, DC – February 6, 2014 – Riders are working hard at their chance to earn qualifying points for this year’s Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). The nation’s leading metropolitan horse show, the WIHS offers championships for junior and pony equitation riders as well as adult and children’s hunter and jumper competitors. The 56th Annual Washington International Horse Show, held at Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC, will run October 21-26, 2014.
The qualifying period for this year’s competition has already begun, and riders are earning points early at the top winter show circuits throughout the country with hopes of competing at one of the most coveted horse shows in the country. Horses and riders compete all year in order to qualify for the WIHS Finals, including 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, WIHS Equitation Finals, and WIHS Pony Equitation Finals.
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| Meredith Darst, winner of the 2013 WIHS Equitation Finals riding Soldier I Shawn McMillen Photography |
Although you do not have to be a WIHS member to compete in the qualifying classes, competitors must be WIHS members in order for their points to count towards the finals.
Sign up today at www.wihs.org/membership to become a WIHS member and start earning points for qualification in the WIHS Equitation Finals and the WIHS Hunter and Jumper Championship Finals. The qualifying period is September 1, 2013, through August 31, 2014.
Top competitors in WIHS qualifiers as of January 31, 2014:
WIHS Equitation and Pony Equitation Spencer Smith of Wellington, FL, currently leads the WIHS Equitation East Coast standings with 1,112 points. Morgan Ward of Milford, NJ, sits second with 904 points, and Victoria Colvin of Loxahatchee, FL, has 740 points.
The top rider on the West Coast standings is Sophie Simpson with 640 points. Kai Arielle Devoglaer of Austin, TX, stands second with 580 points and Brianna Peddicord of Wamego, KS, is third with 458 points.
In the WIHS Pony Equitation standings, Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, VA, has 266 points to lead off the year. Theresa Tolar of Mooresville, NC, is close behind with 238 points, and Jordan Cobb of Austin, TX, is third with 228 points.
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| Ivanhoe and Abigael Kaufman, 2013 WIHS Children’s Hunter Champion I Shawn McMillen Photography |
WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships
In the Children’s Hunter Championship, Moon River and Alyssa Scholefield of Atlanta, GA, have the lead with 892 points. Blueprint and Emily Curling of Chesapeake, VA, have 568 points for second place in the standings, and Carson and Carilynn Peyton of Great Falls, VA, have 552 points in third.
The Adult Hunter Championship standings are currently led by Overseas and Mindy Wurzburg of Memphis, TN, with 800 points. Cast in Silver and Jessica Pandocchi of Sarver, PA, have 740 points in second place, and Poetic Justis and Brooke Cole of Rockville, VA, sit third with 708 points.
WIHS Children’s and Adult Jumper Championships
In the Children’s Jumper division, Utility and Anna Elghanayan of Chesterland, OH, are well on their way to qualifying for the championship with 1,188 points. Kolette and Kimberle Paige Burton of Huntersville, NC, have 890 points in second place. Lone Star and Micki Reisman of Mooreland Hills, OH, are currently third with 855 points.
The Adult Jumpers are also earning points to qualify for their championship finals in October. Secret Agent and Casey Millis of Carton, GA, have 1,590 points to lead the division. Belladonna and Katherine Pontone of Red Bank, NJ, sit second with 1,300 points. Skys Burnin Blue and Phoenix Cooke of Chardon, OH, have 1,245 points in the third position.
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| Victoria Jolie V and Kristyn Duarte, 2013 WIHS Adult Jumper Champion I Shawn McMillen Photography |
Don’t miss your chance to qualify for the championships. WIHS looks forward to hosting the best horses and riders from around the nation in 2014 and encourages all riders to continue their drive to qualify.
About the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org)
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 $125,000 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, DC.
