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Kenneth Kraus for Phelps Media Group, Inc.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Kent Farrington and Madison, winners of the 2005 President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show. Photo by Diana DeRosa. Photo may only be used in relation to this press release.
Washington International Horse Show Features Show Jumping’s Best Going Head to Head at Verizon Center in Nation’s Capital
In addition, the show, which is one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive indoor equestrian events, will feature some of
Harrie Smolders, from the
The
The star studded field of American riders is headlined by 2006 World Equestrian Games double Silver Medalist Beezie Madden. Currently ranked number one on the
Kent Farrington and Madison return to defend their President’s Cup title in 2006. Since Farrington’s exciting win at the Verizon Center last year, he’s gone on to post six major wins, including the World Cup Finals Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Farrington was one of the most dominant riders at the Winter Equestrian Festival in
In 1999, as a junior rider home based in
Speaking of his 2005 President’s Cup victory, Farrington said, “That was a very special win for me. It was my first big international grand prix victory, riding against many of the riders I grew up watching on videos as a kid. It was my first time riding at
Farrington noted that he especially enjoys the confines of venues like the
Joining Madden and Farrington at the top of this year’s line-up is 2004 Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward. The 2004 President’s Cup Champion and Washington International’s Leading Jumper Rider, Ward won the President’s Cup qualifier at last year’s show.
In addition to Ward, other
Besides these seasoned show jumping veteran superstars, this year’s Washington International jumper division will be bolstered by two exciting and rising young stars, Brianne Goutal and Addison Phillips. Last year, Goutal made history in equestrian sports, becoming the first junior rider to complete a career sweep of every national equitation title. Goutal was the winner of the Washington Equitation Finals, the USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals, the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and the USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. Since then, aboard Onira, Goutal has ridden to victory in the $50,000 Garden State Grand Prix and the $20,000
Phillips, still competing as a junior, has advanced to the big time with wins at the $75,000 HITS Saugerties Grand Prix and the Turtle Lane Grand Prix at
“It’s an absolutely fantastic field of world class competitors,” said WIHS Manager Hugh Kincannon. “Show jumping fans attending this year’s
The $100,000 President’s Cup sponsored by Salamander Hospitality, LLC highlights this year’s jumper division and will take place on Saturday night, October 28, 2006.
Other exciting jumper action includes two President’s Cup Qualifiers, the $25,000 International-Open Jumper Time First Jump-off, on Friday, October 27th and the $20,000 International-Open Jumper Time First Round, on Thursday afternoon, October 26th, both sponsored by Monarch International/Show Circuit Magazine.
Also on the agenda for 2006 is the $20,000 International-Open Gambler’s Choice on Thursday evening; the class is sponsored by Berkeley Underwriting Partners, LLC and StarNet Insurance.
Friday night features two exciting show jumping events, the $20,000 International-Open Jumper Accumulator and the $25,000 International Open Puissance classes.
Tickets for the 2006 Washington International Horse Show are still available at www.ticketmaster.com or call 202-397-SEAT. Barn Night Groups (10 or more) receive $5 off each ticket.
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***
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, winners of the 2005 President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show. Photo by Diana DeRosa. Photo may only be used in relation to this press release.