By Kara Pinato Scro / Jump Media (first published in the October 2022 Equiery)

For decades, the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) has provided equestrians and horse lovers in Maryland and surrounding states with the best of both worlds — the thrill of elite show jumping and family-friendly activities highlighted on the show’s dedicated Barn Night and Kids’ Day.

After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the 64th WIHS returns to the Washington, D.C. area for a re-imagined show. Equestrian competition will take place at The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center (PGEC) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, while National Harbor will host the show’s Official Hospitality Campus and one of two Kids’ Days.

To highlight the abundant contributions made by the state’s horse industry, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan recognized October as Maryland Horse Month. As part of it, WIHS offers seven days and three nights of world-class competition and events running October 24 through October 30. The Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill and the Jim McKay Maryland Million Race will also take place in October, showcasing elite eventing competition and Thoroughbred racing, respectively.

Barn Night, in partnership with Green is the New Blue — Thursday, October 27
• Students from Frederick Douglass High School in Prince George’s County will perform the National Anthem.
• $75,000 International Jumper FEI Welcome Stake: International athletes make their debut on the first of three nights of high-performance show jumping.
• $37,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class: Top international riders go wild with fun and surprising costumes for both horse and rider.
• “Gallop Green” Barn Night: WIHS invites barns and other horse-loving groups to join the fun at Barn Night. This year’s Gallop Green theme encourages barns to take strides to reduce carbon hoofprints by sharing eco-friendly creativity for a chance to win great prizes!
Contests include Largest Group, Group Spirit, Best ‘Green’ Poster, Best Recycled Jump, and Best ‘Green’ Practices Video.
Prizes, which will be announced at WIHS throughout the evening, include a clinic with top hunter/equitation trainer Archie Cox, a barn photoshoot with Hannah Jones Photography, a custom farm sign from Briar Hill Signworks, a Dover Saddlery shopping spree, and a Maryland Saddlery surprise.
Registration closes October 17, and all contest entries must be received by October 17!
Learn more and register today at: www.WIHS.org/wihs-barn-night/

Military Night — Friday, October 28
• Voices of Service, competitors from “America’s Got Talent,” will perform the National Anthem.
• $75,000 International Jumper FEI Speed Final: It’s all about power and speed for international riders who take on this class (be sure to watch for the “Jump for TAPS” American flag fence!).
• Dressage Exhibition by Battlefield Angel HP AKA “Ezra”: Ezra’s owner, Rhiannon Barreda, is a retired female U.S. Army MEDEVAC pilot. She served abroad for more than 10 years bringing wounded and fallen soldiers to a safe zone. Ezra’s performance will salute veterans and active military personnel for their service and sacrifice. Ezra was memorialized as a Breyer horse model this year!
• Jack Russell Terrier Racing: Cheer on 12 speedy and lovable terriers as they race in The Show Place Arena for ribbons and prize money.
• $25,000 Puissance: Brave horse and rider combinations will jump the great wall until only one combination remains fault free. The North American indoor record to beat is 7’ 7-1/2,” set at WIHS in 1983.
• WIHS Honor and Service Award: Created in 2013 to honor 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) Caisson Platoon, this award will recognize a horse, individual, or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service.

World Cup Night — Saturday, October 29
• D.C. Washington, the voice of Washington sports, performs the National Anthem.
• WIHS Equitation Championship: The nation’s top equitation riders will face off before a panel of judges in the third and final phase of the championship to determine who will be crowned the 2022 WIHS Equitation Champion.
• WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series: Small and mighty is the name of the game for these pint-sized steeplechase combinations. After competing at the Devon Horse Show in May, the ponies will descend upon The Show Place Arena to vie for championship honors and an award for the safest ride.
• $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup presented by Experience Prince George’s: The ring will turn electric as some of the world’s top-ranked riders tackle challenging jumps to compete for the largest purse of the show.

Kids’ Day, presented by Delta — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, at National Harbor & on Saturday, October 29, at PGEC
WIHS will host two fun-filled and educational Kids’ Day events this year, one at National Harbor and one at PGEC. Admission is free.
Activities include pony rides, a grooming station, face painting, a horseless horse show with an opportunity to jump courses on foot and win ribbons, a pony kissing booth, carousel rides, plus special guest horses, ponies, and more!
For full activity and location details, visit: www.WIHS.org/kids-day/

To learn more about each event and to buy tickets, visit: WIHS.org/tickets, follow WIHS on Instagram (@WIHS), TikTok (@WIHSOfficial), Twitter (@WIHS), and like WIHS on Facebook (@WashingtonInternationalHorseShow).