October 19, 2026 – Upper Marlboro, MD
The 2026 Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™ opened competition on Monday, October 19, and Allison Carter and Twenty Twenty claimed victory in the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™. In the $12,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™, Riley Treace and Paisley Park took the top prize. WIHS runs through Sunday, October 25, at The Show Place Arena and brings together the top horses and riders in the nation and from around the world for hunters, jumpers, and equitation.
Carter Starts a Winning Tradition
Allison Carter of Davidsonville, MD, notched her first-ever win at WIHS with her horse Twenty Twenty in the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Carter moved up from fourth place and a first-round score of 82.5 to a high score of 86 in the second round for a winning total of 168.5. The pair was presented with the Diane Wade Memorial Award.
Carter has shown at WIHS multiple times with top placings, and she was able to guide “Biggie” to the ultimate prize. “My horse has always been wonderful, and this time I was lucky enough to manage to take the top,” said Carter, who trains with Rachel Agee and Gabby Conte. “When I found out I won, I was in shock. I thought I laid it down pretty good, but I wasn’t sure if it was going to be enough to take the win. I’m always happy to ride my horse, so anytime I get a win is icing on the cake.”
Carter, 22, has been riding Biggie for five years, and he has become an important part of her life.
“He’s been the best thing ever,” she said of the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Lordanos. “He’s such a trooper. He gives me 120% every time he steps in the ring. If I can put two and two together, he can usually work out the rest for me.”
WIHS holds a special place in Carter’s family; her grandmother brought her mother to watch the show as a child, and Carter started attending with her mother when she was young. “To be able to compete here and do this well is the best thing in the world,” she expressed. “My mom has always been a great support system for me, and I always appreciate having her here.”
With a total of 168.25, Cara Garito and her own Ever Wonder, an 11-year-old Warmblood gelding, were just edged into second place. Kate Chan and her horse, Fan Favorite, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding, finished in third place on a total of 167.5.
Allison Carter and Twenty Twenty delivered a winning performance in the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship. Carter credits Twenty Twenty for the win. Carter also earned the Diane Wade Memorial Award for her winning efforts. Photos by Erin Gilmore Photography
Riley Treace Earns First WIHS Win with Paisley Park
Kicking off a full afternoon of competition, younger hunter riders vied for the top title in the $12,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™. A total of 27 horse-and-rider pairs tackled the first-round track before the top 12 highest-scoring combinations returned for a second round. At the class’s completion, victory went to Riley Treace of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Paisley Park, owned by Tracy Treace. Treace was awarded the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy for her win.
Consistency was the name of the game as the duo earned a score of 85 for round one and then bested their previous score to earn 85.5 in round two from judges Patrick Rodes, Brian Lenehan, and Michael Tokaruk.
“I thought my first round today was really good,” Treace explained, “but there was one lead change that was a little sticky so I really focused on that in the next round and it turned out great.”
Despite it being her first time at the iconic horse show, Treace rode with confidence and trusted the experience of the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding to guide her.
“I feel like he has really taught me to sit deep in the saddle and be accurate,” she added. “I just recently moved off of the ponies and with my pony I had to stay more in my half seat to get him going. It has been a learning curve but really nice.”
Treace’s two-round total of 170.5 points ultimately locked in the lead over Logan Smith and Stellar, who paired an 84 and 86 for a total of 170 points and the reserve position. Kinley McAvoy and Topgallant rounded out the top three with a two-round total of 169 points.
“I honestly haven’t been too nervous this week because I just don’t get bad nerves when I go in,” she detailed. “I was mostly trying to have fun and to do my best to have a good first experience.”
As for Treace’s celebration plan, she says a sweet treat is definitely in order.
“I really love chocolate,” she laughed. “Anything chocolate is a good celebration treat to me.”
Riley Treace and Paisley Park proved unbeatable in the $12,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship. Treace was all smiles for her first WIHS win.
Photos by Erin Gilmore Photography
Regional Champions Named
At the end of the day, horses and ponies who had a successful weekend at the WIHS Regional Horse Show in Upperville, VA, traveled to Upper Marlboro to compete in the WIHS Regional Finals.
Cameron Gill of Edgewater, MD, and Untappd, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Chambertino Z, scored an 84 to win the WIHS Regional Hunter Final – Horses. With their strong performance in last weekend’s WIHS Regional Horse Show, they were also named the WIHS Regional Hunter – Horse champions and were presented with the Black Starr and Frost Trophy. The reserve championship went to Grace Fennell and Fine Line, owned by Lily Gumenick.
Second in the WIHS Regional Hunter Final – Horses was Meghan Finlay and Chabalouba Sun with an 82, and Lisa Miranda and Olliana placed third with a score of 80.
Willow Niehenke and Sneaky Fox, a 19-year-old Welsh Pony Cross mare by Breyerwood owned by Kristin McLean, topped the WIHS Regional Hunter Final – Ponies with a score of 84, which propelled them to the division championship. Following in second place were Caia Blair and Blush, owned by Mary Lou Glover, with an 82. Third on a score of 80 were Chloe Panos and Linda Willson’s Jamrock, who also finished as reserve champions. Nineteen-year-old Jamrock was champion in the same division in 2015 with Kate Howlin.
The professional hunter champions will be named on Tuesday, October 20, while the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions begin their classes. The second day’s competition at the 2026 WIHS wraps up with the WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship and WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, both presented by MARS Equestrian™.
Cameron Gill and Untappd tapped the win in the WIHS Regional Hunter Final – Horses.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Niehenke and Sneaky Fox earned a score of 84 for the victory.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Gill and Untappd stand for presentation.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
Willow Niehenke and Sneaky Fox secured the win in the WIHS Regional Hunter Final – Ponies and the division championship.
Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
