Local Competitors Will Make Memories at the WIHS Regional Horse Show, presented by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty
first published in the October 2021 Equiery
By Kara Pinato Scro / Jump Media
For decades, the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) Regional Horse Show has been a staple for local Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland hunter/jumper competitors. This year, the show will return to Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, VA, October 21-24, 2021, and will also host the USHJA Zone 3 Championships. It will be an exciting four days as fans and spectators will be welcomed back following COVID-19 guidelines.
The WIHS Regional Horse Show is filled with tradition, including the opportunity for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper riders to qualify to compete the WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships presented by MARS Equestrian™, which will again be held at Tryon International Equestrian Center, in Mill Spring, NC, on October 26-31, 2021.
“WIHS and the WIHS Regional Show represent the very best of equine sport competitions,” said Mark Lowham, CEO and Managing Partner of TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, the 2021 WIHS Regional Show’s presenting sponsor. “For our family, it is such an honor to participate and to compete side-by-side with some of the most talented equine athletes in America.”
Teach for America, an organization that finds and nurtures leaders who commit to expanding opportunity for low-income students, will be the first-ever charity partner of the WIHS Regional Show. A portion of proceeds from the WIHS Regional Show will be donated to Teach for America.
In With the New
This year’s event will feature the return of the competitive Maryland Horse Shows Association (MHSA) Gittings Horsemanship Final on Saturday, October 23, and a number of exciting new classes for competitors including the MHSA Invitational Thoroughbred Hunter Classic on Thursday, October 21, and the Zone 3 Championship for Hunter Breeding.
In addition, a special trophy for adult amateur hunter riders will debut this year—the Glyndon Memorial Trophy for the WIHS Regional Horse Show Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion donated by Patti and Bruce Schindler of Reisterstown, MD. The trophy is in memory of Glyndon, Patti’s striking grey gelding that achieved numerous top honors in the Adult Amateur Hunters throughout his career including MHSA Horse of the Year.
Honoring a Maryland Trainer’s Legacy
Now in its tenth year, the Annual Laura Pickett Excellence in Horsemanship Award presented by Victoria Lowell and Charles Ancona, will be presented to the up-and-coming adult or child rider and his or her trainer who best exhibit the enthusiasm, dedication, style, and commitment to excellent horsemanship that brings out the best in horse and rider. Laura Pickett was a beloved Maryland-based trainer who influenced the riding careers of many riders. Her dedication to teaching good horsemanship and inspiring the next generation of hunter/jumper talent left a lasting impression when she passed away in 2012 from breast cancer. The trophy honors her contributions to the sport she loved.
“On the tenth anniversary of the Laura Picket Horsemanship Award, I still miss Laura, her generous, kind spirit and her unwavering dedication to her students and their horses. I was lucky to be one of them,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to honor her life while recognizing and getting to know each one of the outstanding recipients of this award. I can’t wait to review the 2021 applicants!”
Keeping With Tradition
The WIHS Junior Committee plays a key role in the lead-up to and execution of WIHS and will be onsite at the WIHS Regional Show to help with everything from social media content, WIHS vendor booth support, assisting exhibitors with move in, and more.
For competitors, as in previous years, the WIHS Regional Show will offer Children’s and Adult Hunters and Jumpers, a 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter division, expanded opportunities for Jumpers, and Grand Championships for Green Hunter, Children’s and Adult Hunters, and Children’s Hunter Ponies.
Learn more about the WIHS Regional Horse Show presented by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty & USHJA Zone 3 Championship, and find links to the prize list, online entry system and application for the Laura Pickett Award at www.wihs.org/wihs-regional.
