Washington International Horse Show hosts top junior equitation riders

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Jennifer Wood for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

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2006 Washington International Horse Show Hosts Top Junior Equitation Riders of the United States

Washington, D.C. – October 5, 2006 – The nation’s top junior and pony riders will face off in a challenging battle of horsemanship skills in the 2006 Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic and WIHS Pony Equitation Classic, at the Washington International Horse Show, to be held October 24-29, 2006 at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC.

The Washington International Equitation Classic is sponsored by Tad Coffin Performance Saddles. Tad Coffin said that this class and his saddles are the perfect match. “This class is a terrific format, and it’s one of the best features of the show. It includes so many different challenging phases and the best young riders in the country going head to head for a national title,” he said. “Our saddle is a top performance product, and these riders deserve the top products to support their riding.”

Riders qualify based on points accumulated in WIHS Equitation qualifying classes held at shows starting on or after September 1, 2005 through shows starting on or before August 31, 2006. The horse show accepts the top 30 riders in the WIHS Equitation Classic and the top 25 riders in the WIHS Pony Equitation Classic.

The WIHS Equitation Classic consists of a hunter phase, a jumper phase, and a Final Work-Off. In the Final Work-Off, riders will be required to switch horses and complete the jumper course. All three scores will be added to determine the winners and placings.

The WIHS Pony Equitation Classic consists of a hunter phase and a Final Work-Off.

Last year’s WIHS Equitation Classic winner was Julie Welles of West Simsbury, CT. Welles led the nation in qualifying points coming into the Finals, and she had three solid trips to win the class. The winner of the WIHS Pony Equitation Classic in 2005 was Taylor Brown of Palmyra, VA.

The following riders have been invited to the 2006 Washington International Horse Show for the WIHS Equitation Classic and the WIHS Pony Equitation Classic.

2006 WIHS Equitation Final Qualifying Rider Standings

Plc, Rider, Points, City, State
1. Haylie Jayne, 7831.00, West Simsbury, CT
2. Nikko Ritter, 6438.00, Geneva, FL
3. Maria Schaub, 5302.00, Holmdel, NJ
4. Megan Massaro, 4857.00, Summerfield, FL
5. Kimberly McCormack, 4851.00, Clermont, NJ
6. Lexy Reed, 4465.50, Ocala, FL
7. Maggie McAlary, 3666.00, Amherst, NH
8. Sloane Coles, 3438.00, The Plains, VA
9. Henry Pfeiffer, 3307.00, Temperance, MI
10. Emma Lipman, 3256.00, Bedford, NY
11. Chelsea Moss, 3052.50, Medford, NJ
12. Heather Dobbs, 3044.00, West Palm Beach, FL
13. Tina Dilandri, 3017.00, LaJolla, CA
14. Amelia McArdle, 2808.00, Barrington Hills, IL
15. Kacey McCann, 2779.00, Palmyra, PA
16. Shelby Wakeman, 2772.00, Westlake Village, CA
17. Kathryn Stenberg, 2605.50, Rehoboth, MA
18. Emily Gardner, 2582.00, Tallahassee, FL
19. Mallory Olson, 2444.00, Newport Beach, CA
20. Elizabeth Morrow, 2421.00, Germantown, TN
21. Jessica Springsteen, 2399.00, Colts Neck, NJ
22. Alexandra Biederman, 2336.00, Dallas, TX
23. Jack Hardin Towell, Jr., 2322.00, Camden, SC
24. Hayden Warmington, 2321.00, Canton, GA
25. Hannah Selleck, 2274.00, Thousand Oaks, CA
26. Mara Kranz, 2224.00, Algonquin, IL
27. Nick Haness, 2210.00, Cote De Caza, CA
28. Elizabeth Lubrano, 2197.00, Glenmoore, PA
29. Victoria Birdsall, 2136.00, Topsfield, MA
30. Alexandra Conforti, 2134.00, La Canada, CA

2006 WIHS Pony Equitation Final Qualifying Rider Standings

Plc, Rider, Points, City, State
1. Elaina Plott, 1155.50, Tuscaloosa, AL
2. Elizabeth Butterworth, 880.50, Grimesland, NC
3. Marisa Messina, 878.50, McLean, VA
4. Anna Rossi, 745.50, Washington, DC
5. Chase Boggio, 726.00, Canton, GA
6. Taylor Ann Adams, 706.00, Eads, TN
7. Emma Roberts, 572.00, Houston, TX
8. Lauren Tyree, 530.00, Chicago, IL
9. Savannah White, 503.00, Pike Road, AL
10. Alise V. Oken, 473.50, Charlotte, NC
11. Meredith Darst, 452.00, Lebanon, OH
12. Claire Wilson, 442.00, Jarrettsville, MD
13. Victoria Free, 440.00, Fayetteville, GA
14. Austin Moore Killebrew, 434.50, Atlanta, GA
15. Holly Labry, 428.00, Memphis, TN
16. Ali Shiflet, 418.00, Va Beach, VA
17. Emma Kennedy, 410.00, Tallahassee, FL
18. Savannah Talcott, 375.00, Wildwood, MO
19. Chelsey E. Zulia, 370.00, Cincinnati, OH
20. Phoebe Goldenberg, 358.00, Centerville, MA
21. Lillie Keenan, 354.00, New York, NY
22. Margaret Mitchell, 353.00, Franklin, TN
23. Hayley Hansen, 352.00, Geneva, IL
24. Taylor Land, 348.50, Alpharetta, GA
25. Mary Helen DeGolian, 343.00, Atlanta, GA

Washington International Horse Show Fast Facts

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 U.S. and abroad competing for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. Approximately 600 horses will be on hand for the six-day event. Riders from Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Brazil and Ireland are expected to participate at the show in the Olympic sport of show jumping.

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 U.S. and abroad, including Olympic and World Cup medalists. Unique among horse shows, the WIHS takes place in the middle of a city, and not just any city–the nation’s capital! For six days, the WIHS transforms local city streets around the Verizon Center into stabling and exercise areas for hundreds of horses. Show jumping, hunter, equitation and dressage competition is the mainstay of the show, with entertaining exhibitions of racing terriers, a celebrity sports challenge and barrel racing rounding out a very full program. Riders of all ages – from children as young as seven riding ponies to experienced riders well into their 50’s on powerful jumpers and dressage horses – compete throughout the year and throughout the country to qualify to ride at Washington.

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 Verizon Center.

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 Washington, D.C. may compete in a qualifying event Oct. 20-22 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., with the top finishers eligible to ride in the WIHS Local Hunter Finals at the Verizon Center on Sunday, October 29th.

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, National Center for Therapeutic Riding, Newspapers in Education, Starlight Starbright Foundation-Midatlantic, and many more.

Horse Show Office: 16063 Comprint Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, (301) 987-9400, Fax: (301) 987-9461, website: www.wihs.org, Executive Director: Susie Webb, Susie@wihs.org

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, dderosa1@optonline.net, website: www.presslinkpr.com

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 Washington International Horse Show
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); $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)