Issue Highlights: September 22, 2026
- Regional Entries close Tuesday, Sept. 29
- Zone 3 Championship Qualifying Lists now Online
- Opening Night Salute to Service
- Star-Spangled MARS Barn Night
- FEI CSI2* Schedule
- Capital Challenge Kind Wins Cupcake Event
- WIHS Five-Star Merchandise Collection
- Relax and recharge at the Ambassadors Club
- ETHOS Awards Gala
- From the Archives
Welcome to Washington!
Zone 3 Qualifying Lists Available for WIHS Regional Horse Show Entries close Sept. 29
The WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship takes place Oct. 15–18 in Upperville, VA. The four-day event features hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions and WIHS qualifying classes.
Need to Know
- Entries close on Tuesday, Sept. 29
- Zone 3 Qualifying lists are available online > Zone 3 Qualifying Lists Invitations will be emailed.
- Learn more > WIHS Regional Show
The Laura Pickett Award
Now in its 15th year, the Laura Pickett Excellence in Horsemanship Award, presented by Vicki Lowell and Charles Ancona, will be given to an up-and-coming rider and trainer competing at the WIHS Regional Horse Show.
Created in memory of trainer Laura Pickett, this award honors Laura’s legacy of inspiring both a joy for life and exceptional horsemanship.The prize is a custom show coat from the iconic brand Charles Ancona.
International Show Jumping Returns to Maryland

October 19-25, 2026
Celebrate Maryland’s October Horse Month with international show jumping at the Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™, Oct. 19–25.
For seven days and three exciting nights, elite Olympic and international show jumpers and the country’s finest hunters will convene in Upper Marlboro, MD, to vie for championship titles.
Rounding out an unforgettable week are exhibitions, special guests and great shopping with more than 20 vendors on the concourse offering riding apparel, tack, gifts, jewelry, toys, home decor, show souvenirs and lots more. Parking is free throughout the week. Learn more > WIHS Tickets
For the young and young at heart WIHS Kids’ Day presented by Land Rover Alexandria is a free, fun, educational event created to share the joy of horses with kids, and their parents too.
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 AM-1 PM (Rain or Shine) Learn more > Kids Day
Opening Night Salute to Service
WIHS is proud to host Opening Night Salute to Service, an evening honoring our military, first responders and educators with exciting jumping and special guests. It’s about power and speed as international horses and riders compete in two featured classes, on Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 PM.
Jump for TAPS
When the American flag Jump for TAPS is cleared, funds are raised for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.
TAPS is the national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources to all those grieving a death in the military or veteran community. WIHS is proud to have partnered with TAPS for more than 15 years.
50% Off Ticket Discounts
To thank those who serve our country and communities, special 50% off ticket discounts (adult or child) are available for active duty, reserve, and retired military personnel, disabled veterans, first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, EMS/EMTs), and teachers.
Get your 50% off for Thursday night with code USA2026 on >Ticketmaster.
Learn more > WIHS Tickets
World Cup Night
World Cup Night, Saturday, October 24, is the sport highlight of the week with the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Washington for the iconic President’s Cup. The FEI 5* competition draws top horses and riders from around the world hoping to earn points for a place at the FEI World Cup Finals in March 2027 in Göteborg, Sweden. WIHS is one of only five qualifying events in the U.S. > WIHS Tickets
The 2025 WIHS World Cup winner was Laura Kraut (USA) riding Tres Bien Z (above and right), making it her second win in this prestigious class. Will she make it a third this year? Laura currently is ranked #12 in the FEI World Jumping rankings (8/31/26/).
Saddle up for a Star-Spangled MARS Barn Night
Get ready for the biggest party in horse sport! The Star-Spangled MARS Barn Night kicks off Friday, October 23, at 6:30 PM. This lively evening brings together barn groups, horse lovers and families from across the region for a night of wild costumes, lots of fun and world-class competition.
Friday Night Highlights
- New and exciting! Introducing the WIHS Pony Jumper Championships presented by World Wide Technology with the nation’s top young riders and talented ponies leading off the evening’s competition.
- Fan favorite #1: Cheer on the wily ponies and junior jockeys as they race over mini-hurdles in the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship.
- Fan favorite #2: An unusual competition with horses and riders turned out in wild costumes as they take on big jumps in the $63,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.
- Barn Night Contests: The most enthusiastic and creative barns will receive prizes as the winners of the official MARS Barn Night Contests are announced live in the ring.
VIP Dining Tables
Enjoy the action in the ring from a private VIP table with the best views of the competition and premium catering. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner will be served throughout the week complete with complimentary wine, beer and craft cocktails. It’s the perfect way to host family, friends, or barn mates in comfort with great views and delicious food.
Beyond weeklong reservations, flexible options like single-day bookings, split weeks, and shared tables are available subject to availability. Each table seats eight guests and is largely tax-deductible.
New FEI 2* Division
$50,000 FEI CSI2* Ambassador’s Cup Grand Prix
WIHS will debut the $50,000 FEI CSI2* Ambassador’s Cup Grand Prix, the culminating event in WIHS’s new FEI CSI2* division, on Saturday afternoon.
The CSI2* division complements the longstanding WIHS 5* competition–the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup.
FEI CSI2* Schedule: The Ambassador’s Cup Grand Prix, will be held on Saturday afternoon, with the $7,500 CSI2* Two-Phase, presented by SHF Enterprises, on Wednesday evening, followed by Thursday evening’s $7,500 CSI2* Time First Round, also presented by SHF Enterprises.
For the Ambassador’s Cup on Saturday afternoon, children 18 and under are admitted free with a wristband available at Kids’ Day or at the box office. Adults may purchase tickets in advance through Ticketmaster or on Saturday at the box office. Learn more > WIHS Tickets
The trophy was originally donated to WIHS by Ambassador and Mrs. Marion H. Smoak in 1985.
WIHS 5* Merchandise
This year’s WIHS merchandise collection is inspired by the show’s star-spangled theme and WIHS tradition. Items are designed to celebrate the show’s history while still feeling fresh, fun and wearable.
Custom show shirts, hoodies and quarter-zips are among other unique items designed specially for this year. The popular qualified horses tee with the names of the 2026 horses will be available.
A favorite of WIHS collection curator Hilary Yager is the WIHS knitted show sweater with arm stripes (right). Available in white and navy.
Shop the WIHS Collection on the concourse throughout the show.
ETHOS Award Gala
Join Ethos Award Equestrian, Inc. for a celebration award gala recognizing individuals who have expanded opportunities for and inspired the engagement of Black and Brown people within equestrian sport.
Held on Saturday, 10AM-2PM at WIHS, the champagne brunch will bring together equestrians, industry leaders, supporters, and friends to honor six outstanding recipients whose contributions continue to shape a more welcoming and inclusive equestrian community.Â
Congratulations to the 2026 Ethos Award recipients:
– Zoe Brogdon, Cowgirl, show jumper, and micro-influencer
– Sophie Gochman, Recipient of major national titles and activist and ally for equity and diversity
– Berry Porter, Equitation trainer and recipient of the USHJA President’s Distinguished Service Award
– Rob Van Jacobs, First Black US Equestrian Federation “R” judge
– Geñay Vaughn, International dressage rider and 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup Final finalist
– Dr. Miguel Wilson, Founder of Ride to the Olympics and the Atlanta Fashion & Polo Classic
Ambassadors Club
Everyone is welcome to the Ambassadors Club located just off the arena concourse. With comfortable seating, WiFi and large screen TVs showing both WIHS competition and national sporting events, the Ambassador’s Club blends equestrian elegance with the energy of a modern sports bar. Beverages will be available for purchase from 1:00 PM through the end of the competition each night. It’s the ideal place to relax, socialize, recharge, or get a little work done.Â
Kind Wins Award Nominations
Nominations are open for the 2026 Kind Wins Award! Deadline Oct. 6
Nominate a rider, barn, or organization promoting kindness and anti-bullying in the equestrian community.
The Kind Wins Award celebrates those who help create a kinder, more supportive equestrian community. Self-nominations are welcome, too!
The 2026 recipient will be recognized at WIHS and receive a $2,500 award.
Last year’s winner, Isla Pippin, 10, of Berlin, MD, was recognized by her fellow competitors for being “empathetic, supportive and an all-around positive influence.”
Kind Wins Cupcake Event at Capital Challenge!
Join us this Saturday, Sept. 26, from 12:00–1:00 PM in the Outdoor Pavilion at the Capital Challenge Horse Show for a sweet celebration of kindness! Stop by, enjoy delicious Georgetown Cupcakes, and learn more about Kind Wins and our mission to spread kindness, respect, and positivity throughout the equestrian community.
Come for a cupcake. Stay for the kindness. Because Kind Wins!
From the 1958 Archives
President and Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower attended WIHS on Oct. 16, 1958, at the D.C. National Guard Armory. They were hosted by Maj. Gen. W.J. Abendroth, president of the show. Photo and caption from the Washington Daily News:
“Grand Finale–President and Mrs. Eisenhower sat in on the International Horse Show at the Armory last night for its final events. They became so interested that they stayed until 11 p.m. The President seemed especially interested in the jumping events. Mrs. Eisenhower was so impressed by the dressage exhibition of German Olympics star Liselott Lisenhoff that she called her to the Presidential box to congratulate her.”
Calendar & Quick Links
Calendar
- Sept. 29: Entries close for WIHS Regional Horse Show
- Oct. 6: Nominations close for Kind Wins Award
- Oct. 15-18: WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship presented by The Peterson Fellows Family
- Oct. 16: Registration closes for MARS Barn Night
- Oct. 19-25: Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS EquestrianTM
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Quick Links
