| Save the Date! 48th Annual Washington International Horse Show Returns to Nation’s Capital Championship Horse Show Featuring Olympic Medalists, Local Riders, and Educational Events for Children Set for October 24-29, 2006 at the Verizon Center Wellington, FL - April 19, 2006 - The 48th Annual Washington International Horse Show, a leading competitive event on the equestrian calendar and one of the few in the United States with international participation, will be held October 24-29 at the Verizon Center (formerly the MCI Center) in downtown Washington, D.C. Top horses and riders from more than seven countries will compete for more than $400,000 in prize money. Highlights of the week include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix and the $25,000 Puissance, an event rarely presented in the U.S. where riders test their horses’ ability to jump the highest. The current indoor record exceeds seven feet. The event will host championships in equitation (junior riding), hunters, jumpers, and ponies. Also included will be side-saddle, dressage (ballet on horseback), a celebrity challenge, barrel racing, terrier races, a pony pavilion for children (Sat.) and Barn Night (Thurs.), a favorite with the local equestrian community. The Washington International Horse Show is a 501(c)3 charitable organization benefiting local and national charities. The show is headed by its President, Dr. Shelia C. Johnson, and Austin Kiplinger, Honorary Chairman and member of the Board of Directors for more than 40 years. Fast Facts What: 48th Annual Washington International Horse Show, a championship event with top horses and riders from the U.S. and abroad, competing for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. Approximately 600 horses compete in the six-day event. Riders from Great Britain , Germany , the Netherlands , France , Brazil and Ireland are expected to participate. When: October 24 - 29, 2006 (Local Weekend: October 20-22 at the Prince George ’s Equestrian Center , Upper Marlboro, Maryland ) Where: Verizon Center , 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 Highlights: $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix; $25,000 Puissance; Dressage Musical Freestyle Washington International Horse Show - General Information The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) has been one of the world's top championship horse shows since 1958. Originally based at the Washington D.C. Armory, it moved to the U.S. Air Arena in Prince George ’ s County in 1975. Since 2000, it has been in its present location at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington , D.C. Each October, the WIHS brings the "country to the city" with local streets adjacent to the Verizon Center turned over to stabling and exercise areas for the finest horses and riders in the country. Riders of all ages – from children as young as six riding ponies to mature riders in their 40’s and 50’s on powerful jumpers and dressage horses – compete throughout the year and throughout the country to qualify to ride at Washington. Thursday evening’s “Barn Night” 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. Groups also walk the course with grand prix riders prior to the Gambler’s Choice show jumping competition. On Saturday afternoon, children can get up close and personal with their four-footed friends in the Pony Pavilion where they can pet and ride ponies, learn how to groom, listen to pony heartbeats and much more. The show offers a special opportunity for amateur riders living within 100 miles of Washington D.C. who otherwise may not be able to compete at this top event. Local children and adult amateur hunter riders may compete in a qualifying event October 21-22 at the Prince George ’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland . The top finishers will compete in the WIHS Local Hunter Finals at the Verizon Center on Sunday. The Washington International Horse Show also is a great place to shop. More than 60 vendors set up booths on the arena concourse with jewelry, crafts, saddlery and unique items. In addition, visitors may bid on one-of-a- kind items in the silent auction, including vacations, art, wine, equestrian items and sports tickets. For information about this year's specialty vendors, visit www.wihs.org. The WIHS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, which has benefited many local and national groups, including the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, NBC4’s Camp 4 Kids, Canine Companions for Independence , ASPCA, Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health, Partners in Education, Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children, National Center For Therapeutic Riding, Starlight-Starbright Foundation, etc. Horse Show Office: 16063 Comprint Circle , Gaithersburg , MD 20877 , (301) 987-9400, Fax: (301) 987-9461, website: www.wihs.org, Executive Director: Susan Webb, Susie@wihs.org Public Relations: Diana De Rosa, Press Link: (631) 773-6155, Cell: (516) 848- 4867, dderosa1@optonline.net , website: www.presslinkpr.com Media: Phelps Media Group/Mason Phelps, Jr. (561) 753-3389, mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com. Press releases and photos are available at http://www.phelpsmediagroup.com For accreditation, visit http://www. wihs.org/news/media.cfm and complete a media accreditation form. 2006 Washington International Horse Show Tickets and Schedule (as of 4/19/06) 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 --- --- *Barn Night Groups (10 or more) receive $5 off each ticket on Thursday night. **VIP seats include premium arena-level seating and a complimentary WIHS program book ($10 value). Schedule (excluding special events and exhibitions) 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 NIGHT): Daytime performance: Small Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Large Junior Hunters (15 & Under); Small Junior Hunters (16-17), Large Junior Hunters (16-17); $25,000 President's Cup Qualifier; Amateur/Owner Jumpers; Evening performance: WIHS Dressage Invitational Grand Prix; $20,000 Gambler's Choice 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); $20,000 Open Jumpers; Evening performance: Dressage Invitational Freestyle Competition; $25,000 Puissance Saturday, Oct. 28: Daytime performance: Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunters; $15,000 Open Jumpers Speed Class; Junior Jumpers; Pony Pavilion; Evening performance: WIHS Equitation Classic (Jumper Phase & Final work-off); $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix Sunday, Oct. 29: Small, Medium and Large Pony Hunters; WIHS Pony Equitation Classic; Local Hunter Finals (Horses); Local Hunter Finals (Ponies); Junior Jumpers TFJO (time first jump-off) PHOTO CREDIT: Kent Farrington and Madison, winners of the 2005 $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. PHOTO BY: Diana DeRosa © This photograph may be used at no charge only in relation to this PMG press release. |