WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2018–The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) announces steps to build on the success of the 60th Anniversary Show by establishing a special committee for the WIHS Regional Horse Show and naming U.S. Olympic gold medalist Beezie Madden as the new WIHS International Show Advisor. WIHS is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events and will celebrate 61 years on Oct. 22-27, 2019, at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C.
Beezie Madden (USA) and Breitling LS are presented the President’s Cup Trophy by WIHS President Victoria Lowell as winners of the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington presented by Events DC. Photo by Jump Media
The 2019 WIHS Regional Horse Show, also host to the USHJA Zone 3 Championships, will be held at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., on Oct. 18-20.
The WIHS Regional Committee will be chaired by WIHS Board Member Judy Bishop and will comprise members from the USHJA Zone 3 Committee, Zone 3 trainers and WIHS staff members. Committee members include:
- Judy Bishop – Chair
- Alan Lohman – Zone 3 Committee Representative
- Streett Moore – Zone 3 Committee Representative
- Rachel Kennedy – Zone 3 Professional
- Tracy Magness – Zone 3 Professional
- Lara McPherson – WIHS Staff Representative
- Elizabeth Mellen – WIHS Staff Representative
- Tom Blankenship – WIHS Regional Horse Show Manager
The goal of the committee is to further elevate and enhance the overall exhibitor experience of the WIHS Regional Horse Show through sponsorship, hospitality and other improvements. The committee will seek feedback and input from exhibitors and make recommendations to the WIHS Board of Directors.
Beezie Madden, the winner of the 2018 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington and the reigning FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals champion, will review the International Jumper division schedule working closely with Show Manager David Distler and make recommendations to ensure WIHS continues to be a top event on the international jumping calendar.
Anna Ordonio and SS San Remo presented as winners of the 2018 Gittings Horsemanship Finals with trainer Kim Williams at the WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Championship presented by The Bishop Family. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
“It is our collective goal to keep both the downtown event and the regional show at Prince George’s Equestrian Center as premier championship competitions on the calendar that riders of all levels aspire to compete at each year,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell.
“WIHS is a special event that has a storied history, which takes commitment from staff and volunteers to ensure it continues as a strong and successful event for years to come. As the last remaining U.S. indoor show in a major metropolitan sporting arena, it is critical we stay focused on creating the best experience possible for horses, competitors and spectators. I would like to thank these important volunteers for stepping up to help us continue bringing horses to downtown D.C. and recognizing the importance of our regional competition as well.”
For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org, join WIHS on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter and Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. Tag them using #WIHS2018 #HorsesInTheCity, #FEIWorldCup, and #Longines.
About Washington International Horse Show
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events attracting more than 26,000 spectators annually to Washington, D.C., for Olympic-level competition plus community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders arrive from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $135,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington for the President’s Cup, presented by Events DC, the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, the $25,000 Land Rover International Puissance (high jump) on Military Night, presented by Caterpillar, Inc., and Kids’ Day, a free, fun and educational community event. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competition, is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization based in Washington, D.C.
