WIHS Returns with Thrilling Five-Star Jumping, Top Hunters, Entertaining Exhibitions, and Special Events

Upper Marlboro, Md., Sept 29, 2022–The 64th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS Equestrian^TM returns to the Washington, D.C. area October 24-30 with seven days and three nights of thrilling five-star international jumping, top hunters, entertaining exhibitions, and special events for the whole family. Join us in our new location at The Show Place Arena, Prince George’s Equestrian Center, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

Link to WIHS Ticket Information
Link to purchase WIHS Tickets on Ticketmaster.com

Daytime Events (Monday-Sunday)
Hunters: Horses are judged on accuracy, grace, and elegance as they jump a course of natural-style obstacles similar to what might be found in foxhunting.

Junior & Amateur Jumpers: Riders compete over decorated courses where speed and accuracy determine the winner.

Evening Events (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
International show jumping, entertaining exhibitions, WIHS Equitation Final. Details below.

WIHS Barn Night — Thursday, October 27

Kristen Vanderveen and Bull go all out to win both the $37,000 Accumulator competition and best costume on WIHS Barn Night 2019. Photo by Jump Media

Barns and horse-loving groups show their Barn Night spirit. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media

Barn Night blends exciting equestrian sport with pre-event contests and prizes for barns and horse-loving groups. The Gallop Green contest theme created in partnership with Green is the New Blue, encourages groups to use their creativity to share eco-friendly ideas in their submissions. Contest entry deadline is Oct. 17, and winners will be announced at the show.

Barn Night details: Barn Night

Local students from Frederick Douglass High School will sing the National Anthem to kick off the international jumping competition–the $75,000 Welcome Stake and the $37,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class where riders go wild with fun and surprising costumes.

WIHS Military Night presented by Boeing — Friday, October 28

Military Night presented by Boeing is about power and speed as WIHS salutes the U.S. Armed Forces with exciting classes and exhibitions. Voices of Service, featuring military veterans, will perform the Star-Spangled Banner. Look for the “Jump for TAPS” American flag in the $75,000 International Jumper FEI Speed Final benefiting Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the WIHS Official Military Charity since 2010.

Aaron Vale (USA) and Major clear the “Jump for TAPS” American flag at WIHS 2019. Photo by Jump Media

Schuyler Riley and Very Chic Du Tillard jump 6’9″ to tie for the Puissance win in 2019. Shawn McMillen Photography

Horses and riders will jump the great wall to breathtaking heights in the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance until only one combination remains fault free. The North American indoor record to beat is 7’ 7-1/2,” set at WIHS in 1983.

Two-time dressage grand champion Battlefield Angel HP “Ezra,” trained and ridden by Redha Gharsa, will perform a demonstration on Military Night. Photo by Stunning Steeds Photography

In his first trip to WIHS, Redha Gharsa and the magnificent Friesian stallion, Battlefield Angel HP “Ezra,” will perform an elegant dressage demonstration. Owned by Rhiannon Barreda, a retired career U.S. Army MEDEVAC helicopter pilot, Ezra’s performance is a salute to veterans and active military personnel for their service and sacrifice.

Making its welcome return to WIHS, Jack Russell terrier racing will keep the energy going as 12 zippy and lovable terriers race over hurdles for ribbons and prize money.

The WIHS Honor & Service Award presented by EQUUS Foundation recognizes a horse, individual or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service as exhibited by it’s first recipient, the Caisson Platoon’s Klinger, a special horse who has touched the lives of many through his life of service with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).

ETHOS Award Champagne Brunch –– Saturday, October 29, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WIHS is honored to host the inaugural ETHOS Award Ceremony to recognize contributions by African Americans to the horse world. This year’s recipients are from families where excellence in equestrian sport has spanned more than one generation. Honoree Donna Cheek will receive a special ETHOS Award for her participation as the first Black member of the United States Equestrian Team. Click HE RE to learn about the six honorees.

Purchase ETHOS Award Champagne Brunch Tickets

World Cup Night — Saturday, October 29

The marquee event of the week, the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World CupTM Washington CSI5*-W presented by Experience Prince George’s, will feature top international riders and superstar horses as they take on the biggest jumps and most challenging course for the largest purse in the history of the show.

In 2019 Laura Kraut and Fleurette won the FEI Jumping World Cup Washington, adding their names to the show’s most coveted award–The President of the United States Perpetual Cup, presented to WIHS in 1961 by Jacqueline Kennedy. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

The top three in the 2018 WIHS Equitation Final–Ellie Yeager, Coco Fath and Brian Moggre. Photo by Jump Media

D.C. Washington, the voice of Washington sports, will start off the evening with the National Anthem, followed by the nation’s top junior riders competing in the last phase of the WIHS Equitation Final. The Shetland Ponies and their junior jockeys will be ready to race in the concluding event of the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series.

The WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series began in May at the Devon Horse Show with the final race set for Saturday night at WIHS. Photo by Jump Media

WIHS Kids' Day presented by Delta Air Lines Free, Educational and Fun

A variety of activities are planned for the two WIHS Kids’ Day events, including pony rides, a grooming station, face painting, a horseless horse show where kids can jump on foot to win ribbons, a pony kissing booth, carousel rides (National Harbor), plus ‘special guest’ horses, ponies, and more!

Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., National Harbor Carousel Lot
Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Prince George’s Equestrian Center
Admission is free for both events.

Tickets & Hospitality

Link to WIHS Ticket Information
Link to purchase WIHS Tickets on Ticketmaster.com

Daytime Tickets (General admission, Mon-Sun)

Daytime admission is free for kids 12 and under
Adults: Daytime admission is free on Monday, $2 on Tuesday, $5 on Wednesday and Thursday, $10 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Evening Tickets (Thurs, Fri, Sat) – Options with and without dinner

“Ticket + Dinner” tickets: The best seats in the arena with a dinner buffet and beverages (two servings of wine/beer per ticket for patrons 21+). Patrons will enjoy their dinner and drinks at their reserved arena seats.
“Paddock Room” tickets: Experience WIHS in an event room overlooking the arena. Unreserved, general admission seating allows patrons to move freely throughout the evening between round tables and chairs in front of the viewing windows. Tickets include dinner buffet and beverages (wine/beer open bar for patrons 21+). (No arena seat with this option.)
Reserved seats only

VIP Tables

Platform tables of eight: https://wihs.org/vip-tables/

ETHOS Award Champagne Brunch

Honoring the contribution of African Americans to equestrian sport: https://wihs.org/ethosaward/

About Washington International Horse Show

Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious, competitive, and entertaining equestrian events. Highlights include the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup, the WIHS Equitation Finals and Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships, plus popular community and charity events, including WIHS Kids’ Day and Barn Night. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition, and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. For more information, visit wihs.org.