FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
MEDIA CONTACT: Phelps Media Group, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpsmediagroup.com
WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases and Photos are available for download at https://www.phelpsmediagroup.com/
Photo Credit: Harry Smolders over the Puissance Wall on Friday night at the 2005 Washington International Horse Show. Photo by: Diana DeRosa. This photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.
Washington, D.C. – October 11, 2006 – The 2006 Washington International Horse Show, celebrating 48 years of excellence, once again brings six full nights of exciting equestrian action to the Verizon Center in the heart of our nation’s capital. Over 600 horses will be on hand, and riders from around the world will converge on
No performance creates more excitement during the six day event than Puissance night. This year’s class will be held during the Friday evening session on October 27, 2006. Annually, the International Open Jumper Puissance competition fills the
The evening session begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes the fast-paced Open Jumper Accumulator Class, the popular terrier races, the twisting and turning excitement of barrel racing, the beautiful WIHS Invitational Dressage Freestyle event, and all new for this year, Polo. The capper to the night’s festivities is the International Open Jumper Puissance.
The Puissance, or horse “high-jump,” starts with fences at a minimum of 4’6’’ in height. Fences are then raised before each round. Jumps are removed as the rounds continue, leaving a minimum of two fences on the course. Riders continue to compete over escalating heights. The winner is the horse and rider combination that clears the massive brick wall at the greatest height.
The all-time record for the Puissance class at the Washington International Horse Show is 7’ 7 ½” set by Anthony D’Ambrosio on Sweet N’ Low in 1983.
In 2005, there were close to 10,000 enthusiastic fans on hand to watch Harrie Smolders of the
Last year, Smolders, along with Secret Love and Aaron Vale, and Nick Skelton on Russel, all cleared the wall at 6’11 ½” with ease, setting up a fourth and final jump-off.
With the wall set at a staggering 7’4” (2.22m) and the crowd in a frenzy, Harrie Smolders and Verelst
“It was amazing,” said Smolders jubilantly. “I went in the class with the idea of only going two rounds, but he kept going better and better. And then, what a great finish. He jumped the wall really well, He was confident and he gave me a good feeling. Then the crowd got into it and they were super,” he said. “It was great sport for everybody, especially the big crowd.”
“I didn’t know what to expect, so I expected nothing, and I got everything,” said a beaming Smolders.
Fans of show jumping and equestrian sports can expect a Friday night filled with action, suspense and excitement at this year’s Washington International Horse Show.
What: Now in its 48th year, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the world’s leading equestrian events. It features top horses and riders from the
When: October 24 – 29, 2006
Where: Verizon Center at 601 F Street NW (7th and F Streets NW), Washington, D.C., home of the Washington International Horse Show since 2000, as well as professional and college sports teams including the NBA Wizards, the NHL Capitals, the WNBA Mystics and the Georgetown Hoyas, concerts, family shows and sporting events. ***Take Metrorail or Metrobus to Gallery Place-Chinatown for an easy trip to the show.
Highlights:
— $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (Sat., Oct. 28-evening)
— $25,000 Puissance (Fri., Oct. 27-evening)
— Invitational Dressage Championship Grand Prix (Thurs., Oct. 26-evening) and Musical Freestyle (Fri., Oct. 27-evening)
— Washington International Equitation Classic Finals (Sat., Oct. 28-evening)
— $15,000 AHJF Nations Cup Hunter Challenge (Sat., Oct. 28-day)
Website: www.WIHS.org
General Information:
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the nation’s leading championship horse shows since 1958, hosts some of the finest horses and riders from the
New this year is side saddle, with riders evoking the elegance and style of past eras, the AHJF Nations Cup Hunter Challenge, an innovative hunter competition pairing WIHS equitation (junior) riders with international show jumping riders, and a polo exhibition.
Barn/Group Night, Thurs, Oct. 26, is a favorite with local young riders who attend in groups and vie for prizes based on best group spirit, best essay, largest group, etc. All participants get a free tee-shirt and have the unique opportunity to walk the show jumping course with grand prix riders (and get autographs) following the $20,000 Gamblers Choice class. On Saturday afternoon, younger children will enjoy pony rides, face painting and horse-based learning activities at the Pony Pavilion located just outside the
More than 60 vendors offering equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry and other unique items are conveniently located on the concourse around the competition arena. Spectators also may bid on more than 60 unique and one-of-a-kind items in the Silent Auction.
WIHS Local Weekend offers local amateur riders, who otherwise may not qualify, a chance to ride at the Washington International. Local children and adult amateur hunter riders based within 100 miles of
The WIHS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization benefiting local and national charities. Current and past donation recipients include the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, NBC4’s Camp 4 Kids, ASPCA, Childrens’ Inn at the National Institutes of Health, Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children,
Horse Show Office:
Management: Austin Kiplinger, Honorary Chairman of the Board; Jorge J. Carnicero, Chairman; Dr. Sheila C. Johnson, President; Susie Webb, Executive Director; Hugh Kincannon, Show Manager
Public Relations: Diana De Rosa, Press Link: (631) 773-6155, Cell: (516) 848-4867,
Media: Phelps Media Group/Mason Phelps, Jr. (561) 753-3389, mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com. Press releases and photos are available at https://www.phelpsmediagroup.com. For accreditation, visit https://www.wihs.org/news/media.cfm and complete a media accreditation form.
2006
Tickets and Schedule ***Program subject to change***
Tickets go on sale September 5, 2006
Hours: Two performances daily except Sunday: Day (Tues-Sun): 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Evening: (Tues-Sat): 7:00-10:30 p.m (ending times approx.)
Tickets – www.ticketmaster.com or call 202-397-SEAT
Performance Day Evening Evening VIP**
Tuesday $15 $20 $40
Wednesday $15 $20 $40
Thursday $15 $30* $45*
Friday $15 $35 $60
Saturday $20 $35 $60
Sunday $15 — —
Anytime Package: $85 (a $235 value); good for all 11 performances.
Pony Pavilion: Tickets for the Pony Pavilion available only at the Pony Pavilion on Sat., Oct. 28, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Entry by donation. Donations of $5 or $10 are readily accepted at the Pony Pavilion with net proceeds going to the Meadowbrook Foundation.
*Barn Night/Groups (10 or more) receive $5 off each ticket on Thursday night only.
**VIP seats include premium arena-level seating and a complimentary WIHS program book ($10 value).
Students, Seniors, and Military save $5 off tickets for Sat., Oct. 28 daytime performance, with proper ID. (Excludes VIP tickets.)
Metro Special: Save $5 off tickets for any performance with presentation of bus or rail Metro card. (Excludes VIP tickets.)
***Discount offers cannot be combined.
Tentative Schedule:
Tuesday, Oct. 24: Daytime performance: Regular and Green Conformation Hunters; First/Second Year Green Hunters; Regular Working Hunters; Amateur/Owner Hunters (Riders 35 & Under and Over 35); Evening performance: WIHS Children’s Hunter and Adult Hunter Championships
Wednesday, Oct. 25: Daytime performance: Regular Working and Regular Conformation Hunters; Second Year Green and Green Conformation Hunters; A/O Hunter (35 & Under and Over 35); Amateur/Owner Jumpers; Evening performance: WIHS Children’s Jumper Championships and Adult Jumper Championships
Thursday, Oct. 26 (BARN/GROUP NIGHT): Daytime performance: Small Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Large Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Small Junior Hunters (16-17), Large Junior Hunters (16-17); Side Saddle; $25,000 President’s Cup Qualifier; Amateur/Owner Jumpers, Junior Jumpers; Evening performance: WIHS Invitational Dressage Championship Grand Prix; $20,000 Gambler’s Choice, Side Saddle, Barrel Racing, Terrier Races
Friday, Oct. 27: Daytime performance: Small Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Large Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Small Junior Hunters (16-17), Large Junior Hunters (16-17); WIHS Equitation; Amateur/Owner Jumpers; Junior. Jumpers TFR (time first round); $25,000 Open Jumpers; Evening performance: Polo, WIHS Invitational Dressage Championship Freestyle; $20,000 Accumulator Class, $25,000 Puissance, Barrel Racing, Terrier Races
Saturday, Oct. 28: Daytime performance: Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunters; $20,000 Hit & Hurry Class;Media Sports Celebrity Challenge; $15,000 AHJF Nations Cup Hunter Challenge; Junior Jumpers; Pony Pavilion; Evening performance: WIHS Equitation Classic (Jumper Phase & Final work-off); $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, Terrier Races
Sunday, Oct. 29: Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunters; WIHS Pony Equitation Classic; Local Hunter Finals (Horses); Local Hunter Finals (Ponies)
Photo Credit: Harry Smolders over the Puissance Wall on Friday night at the 2005 Washington International Horse Show. Photo by: Diana DeRosa. This photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.
