(Washington, DC) ‘ August 29, 2007 ‘ The Washington International Horse Show will host the inaugural $15,000 High Performance Hunter Classic on Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Champions from each of the following hunter sections will earn the right to compete:Green Conformation, Regular Conformation, First Year Green Working, Second Year Green Working, Regular Working, Small Junior Hunter (16-17), Small Junior Hunter (15 & Under), Large Junior Hunter (16- 17), Large Junior Hunter (15 & Under), Amateur-Owner (35 & Older) and Amateur-Owner (Under 35). If the Champion from any section is unable to compete, the Reserve Champion will be invited.
The $15,000 WIHS High Performance Hunter Classic is a two round competition. The first round will take place over a hunter-type course with jumps set at a height of 3’6′. Three-judging teams, consisting of two judges each, will assign one numeric score. The three separate scores will then be averaged to create the final score for the first round.
The top six horses will be invited back to participate in the second round of competition, consisting of a handy type course. The first and second round score will be combined to create a total two-round score. The horse with the highest two-round score will be named the winner and receive the $5,000 top prize.
The class will be judged on brilliance, performance and soundness, suitability, and manners to count. To be scored under the open numerical judging system. In the event of a tie, the score assigned by Judging Team 1 will determine the winner.
Note: The $15,000 High Performance Hunter Classic is an invitation-only class and requires no entry fee.
About The Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org):
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization benefiting local and national charities, is a world-class championship event, drawing leading equestrian riders from around the nation and the world. Each year riders participate in qualifying shows to earn the honor of riding at the WIHS. The WIHS welcomes more than 600 horse and rider duos to compete to win some of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the world, including more than $400,000 in prize money. The show takes place every October in Washington, DC, attracting the attention of the equestrian world, non-equestrian world, celebrities and politicos alike with events such as show jumping, dressage, barrel racing and terrier races. October 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the WIHS.
The Washington International Horse Show is supported by the following 2007 sponsors: Salamander Hospitality, LLC, Hidden Trail Farm, LLC, FTI Consulting, Inc., Merial, LTD (UlcerGard), Monica & Hermen Greenberg,Canadian National Railway Company (CN), Monarch International, Gotham North, St. Michelle Wine Estates, Lynn Ellen Rice & Last Name Left Productions, Pat Carleton & The Cottonwood, Ltd., Pedigree/Masterfoods, Crawford Communications, Shalanno Farm, Tara Management, Tad Coffin Performance Saddles, Halstrum, LLC/Lubrisyn, Brooke Carmichael McMurray-Fowler & Pam Carmichael Keenan, JPC Equestrian, Betty & Ernie Oare, Berkley Underwriting Partners, LLC & EMO Insurance Agency, Inc., The Reid Family, Hillary Stiff & Chris & Nalini Rogers, Platinum Performance, Far Niente Stables, LLC and Cornell University.
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