FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Ross of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International at (561) 753-3389 or at pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup
WEB SITE: Phelps Media Group, Inc. International Press Releases and Photos are available for download at https://www.phelpsmediagroup.com
Photo Credit: Kent Farrington and Madison, last year’s winning horse and rider combination in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. Photo © 2005 Diana DeRosa. Photo may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
Washington, D.C. – October 17, 2006 – The 2006 Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious indoor equestrian events and plays host to some of the top horses and riders from the United States and abroad. This classic equestrian event, which offers more than $400,000 in prize money, is made possible through the generosity of numerous, dedicated sponsors involved each year.
The highlighted event of the week is the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix sponsored by Salamander Hospitality, LLC. One of show jumping’s most coveted titles will be at stake as competitors race against the clock over challenging obstacles during the grand prix, which will be held on Saturday evening, October 28, 2006. The qualifier for this event is made possible by the generosity of Monarch International, the owner and publisher of Show Circuit magazine.
Numerous
The show supports some of the most sought after titles in the hunter, jumper and equitation rings. Exhibitors compete all year in an effort qualify for classes and divisions held during the Washington International Horse Show. Some of these titles include the Leading Hunter Award, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Austin Kiplinger. The Kiplingers also sponsor the WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter Finals. Shalanno Farm sponsors the Style of Riding Award, Ernie and Betty Oare support the leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Riding Award, and The Keshishian Family sponsor the Best Child Rider Award. In addition, the Reid Family sponsors the Best Child Rider in the Pony Division, and Champion Shavings provides support for the Grand Champion Pony Award.
The Grand Champion Junior Hunter Award will be sponsored by the Dobbs Group, and Lynn Ellen Rice will offer her support with the Grand Champion Hunter Award.
Southern States, the Official Feed of the WIHS, provides hay and grain for all competitors, while Legg Mason supplies all ring crew uniforms. JPC are the official breeches and jodhpurs of the 2006 Washington International Horse Show, and Horse Watch will once again provide the Groom’s Award, which honors those that work behind the scenes and prepare horses for competition in the show ring.
Key Hunter and Equitation division sponsors include: Gotham North, sponsor of the Small Pony Hunter division; Stadium Jumping, Inc., sponsor of the Amateur-Owner Hunter division (18-35); and Chateau St. Michelle and the Murray Kessler Family, who sponsor the Amateur-Owner Hunter division (35 and Older). Small Junior Hunters are supported by Far Niente Stables, LLC, Lake Placid Horse Show sponsors the Small Junior Hunter Stake (16-17), and the Goutal Family sponsors the Large Junior Hunter Stake (16-17). The Large and Small Junior Handy Hunters will be made possible by Pat Carlton, while Tad Coffin Performance Saddles will host the WIHS Equitation Finals.
In the Jumper classes, Berkeley Underwriting Partners, LLC and StarNet Insurance will bring the much anticipated Gambler’s Choice class back this year. Canadian National (CN) will sponsor the Amateur-Owner Jumper division, the King-Kaplan family will contribute to the Junior Jumper division, and Allen Richards Company will sponsor the always competitive Accumulator Class. Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group and The Weinberg Brokerage Group are the presenting sponsors in the Open Jumpers.
In addition to the hunter, jumper, and equitation competition in the show ring, the WIHS also presents unique exhibitions and events for spectators. The Ladies Side Saddle Stake, which is a new evening event this year, is made possible through the support of Monica and Hermen Greenberg, Maureen Hanley, and Foxchase Farm.
The Jumbotron, supported by Crawford Communications, allows the audience to get up close and personal to exhibitors during the show, and the ever popular Barn Night is sponsored by Practical Horseman, USHJA, UlcerGard, The Equiery,
EMO Insurance Agency, Inc will provide breakfast in the exhibitors lounge. Other contributors to 2006 Washington International Horse Show include: J.Aron Charitable Foundation, Anne Meyer, The Lindner Family, Tara Management, Davlyn Farms,
Media Partners include NBC4, The Washington Post, Metro, Practical Horseman, The Chronicle of the Horse, The Gazette, MIX 107.3 WASH, Washington Spaces and Washington Life, Business Wire, The Equine Journal, Press Link PR, Phelps Media Group, PhelpsSports.com, Pennsylvania Equestrian, Reins and Manes, Horse News, Bridle and Bit, In Stride, VA Horse Journal, Sidelines, Plaid Horse and Today’s Equestrian.
The equestrian community, WIHS management, and the WIHS Board of Directors wish to recognize and thank the entire list of sponsors who continue to support the 2006 Washington International Horse Show and make this preeminent equestrian event a huge success year after year.
To find out more about our sponsors and the Washington International Horse Show, please visit www.wihs.org.
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
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
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
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
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,
Horse Show Office:
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,
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
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); Side Saddle; $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)
Photo Credit: Kent Farrington and Madison, last year’s winning horse and rider combination in the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. Photo © 2005 Diana DeRosa. Photo may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.
