first published in the October 2024 Equiery
The Washington International Horse Show is now in its 66th year of hosting world-class competition here in the D.C. area. WIHS, which is presented by MARS Equestrian, returns to The Show Place Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro October 21-27.
WIHS is an official U.S. Equestrian Federation Heritage Competition and holds a CSI5-W rating, which is the highest level rating awarded by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) for Show Jumping. WIHS also holds a U.S. Equestrian rating of 6 Jumpers and Premier Hunters and is recognized by the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association, Maryland Horse Show Association, and Virginia Horse Show Association.
Day-time competition is free to watch while tickets are required for all evening shows. We highly recommend purchasing your tickets now, as in recent years the evening shows have sold out every night! Parking at PGEC is free for spectators.
WIHS will be holding a Kids’ Day on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. just outside the indoor arena. Presented by Delta Air Lines, Kids’ Day activities are free, fun and educational, and include grooming a pony, Breyer Horse painting, making Stick Horses with Maryland Horse Industry Board volunteers, pony rides, face painting, a horseless horse show and much, much more! There will also be chance to meet special guest horses, ponies and riders.
The always popular WIHS Barn Night will take place on Thursday, October 24. This year’s theme for Barn Night Contests is “Kind Wins.” Participating barns must preregister through wihs.org/wihs-barn-night/ to be eligible for prizes in the following categories: Largest Group, Best Group Spirit, Group Traveling the Farthest, Best Poster, and Best Video.
The “Kind Wins” campaign is sponsored by Friends, an anti-bullying organization based in Sweden. The anti-bullying movement began in Sweden and is being brought to the U.S. through a generous private grant. The “Kind Wins” campaign is designed to support mental health and to prevent bullying behaviors with fun, equestrian-themed illustrations and messages with attitude. As WIHS said in a September 4 press release, “The goal is to encourage first time fans, competitors, trainers, parents, local equestrians, and grooms to embrace a positive mindset, stand up for honest and open communication, and welcome everyone to come out and celebrate the horses.”
A new WIHS “Kind Wins” Award will be presented on Barn Night to an individual, group, or organization that has helped bring education and awareness on anti-bullying to the equestrian community. Applications are due by October 7 and can be found at https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=bDH-WFs5xEWlANkpJmsf_qFxpcsIuKlKvMD910RdJo1UQjVXUzhZQVlYTjlPSTVMTVZaU0NaRTlGWS4u.
Additional “Kind Wins” programming and special activities can be found at https://wihs.org/kind-wins-at-the-2024-washington-international-horse-show-thanks-to-friends-from-sweden/.
As always, go to wihs.org for tickets, schedule updates and more information.
