The WIHS Regional Hunter Finals were the feature classes of the opening day at the 2024 Washington International Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™ on Monday, October 21. Christina Mangano Mackenzie rode Good To Go, owned by Chad Keenum, to victory in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals for Horses, while Zoey Chambers and Highlight, owned by Suzanne Chambers, were best in the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals.
Mangano Mackenzie of Upperville, VA, piloted her new mount in their first indoor competition to a score of 86 for victory. She purchased the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Rotspon in June 2024, and they competed at a handful of shows before qualifying at the WIHS Regional Horse Show this past weekend.
Mangano Mackenzie was a competitive junior rider before taking a 20-plus year break from riding. When her three children were old enough to start riding, she started looking again for a horse for herself. “I gave my trainer Christine [Fiore] a long laundry list of items that I was looking for, and he was the first one I sat on. He was really good to go,” she recalled. “He’s sweet, easy, and like a puppy dog. He’s a dream horse.”
With a score of 86 as well, Zoey Chambers of Owings, MD, piloted Highlight, a sevenyear- old German Riding Pony gelding by Dreiklang AT, to first place in the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals.
Speaking of her trip around the Show Place Arena, Chambers described, “The beginning of the course was kind of hard because it’s his first time here, but he made out well and he was really good. At the beginning, my mom was telling me to get the gallop that I needed to go to the first jump and to have a good pace throughout the course.
“I’ve had him only a few months,” noted the 12-year-old rider. “He’s really improved since we’ve had him at the beginning to now, and I’m really proud of him.”
Words from Winners
Hear from WIHS Regional Hunter Finals winner Christina Mangano Mackenzie!
Watch an interview with Zoey Chambers, winner of the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals!
Winners Gallery
Shawn McMillen Photography
Chris Payne and Atlas won the new Nottingham Perpetual Trophy, presented by Jennifer Glass and donated by Betsee Parker.
The Fairfax Trophy was presented by Becky Warner to Leisure and Halie Robinson.
Savanna Schultz and Dresden Row won the$2,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Welcome.
Victory in the $2,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Welcome went to Kendall Casaccio and Freya d’Ambel.
Kirsty Welch and Zealand were the WIHS Regional Hunter Champions.
The WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Champion was Love Letters, ridden by Lane Costa.
Photo Of The Day
By Shawn McMillen Photography
Scenes From the Show
By Alden Corrigan Media
Coming up! WIHS Barn Night
Read the 2024 WIHS Program online
WIHS tickets are available for purchase at wihs.org/tickets. WIHS daytime sessions are FREE admission, and WIHS Kids’ Day is FREE!
Buy your tickets now for an unforgettable week of equestrian excellence and community spirit at the Washington International Horse Show!
About Washington International Horse Show
