For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON—August 20, 2013—The 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals as well as the MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals and the VHSA Children’s, Adult, and Pony Medals will take place on Oct. 18-20 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md. The show is “C” rated by the USEF and offers fantastic competition for local riders.
A very popular stop on the local horse show circuit, the WIHS Regional also offers an alternative way for area riders to qualify for the Washington International Horse Show at Verizon Center. Regional riders may qualify for the WIHS Regional Finals for horses and ponies as well as the WIHS Children’s and Adult Championships. The 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals Prize List can be found at www.wihs.org/wihs-regional.
New to the WIHS Regional show this year are two Thoroughbred divisions at 2’6” and 3’. Grand championships will be awarded for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Children’s Hunter Ponies, and additional ponies will be accepted for the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals at Verizon Center. Entries will be accepted electronically through HorseShowing.com. There will also be a fun exhibitor pizza party on Saturday!
The MHSA Gittings Horsemanship Finals will be the featured class on Friday night at 6 p.m. in the Show Place Arena. A party will be held for all exhibitors to enjoy and watch the class. The top riders in the Finals will receive prizes such as a bridle/martingale/girth from Maryland Saddlery, a Charles Owen helmet, a spot in a USHJA clinic from McDonogh School, and a gift from EquestrianCoach.com.
All of the classes at the WIHS Regional Horse Show are open to all horses and ponies regardless of geographical location. However, only horses and ponies owned or leased by exhibitors living within 100 miles of Washington, D.C., based on owner or lessee’s zip code, are eligible for the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals at Verizon Center on Sunday, Oct. 27. In addition, the Children’s and Adult Hunter champions can qualify for the WIHS Hunter Championships on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and the winners of the Zone 3 Finals Children’s and Adult Jumper classes can qualify for the WIHS Jumper Championships at Verizon Center on Wednesday, Oct. 23.
The WIHS Regional is proud to host the USHJA Zone 3 Finals again this year. Letters of invitation to riders eligible for the USHJA Zone 3 Finals will be emailed in mid-September, and the WIHS is excited to host this year’s exhibitors. Approximately the top 20 horses in each division, based on total USHJA points, will be invited. If invitations are not accepted, additional horses will be invited.
Zone 3 Finals will be held for the following divisions: Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35, Adult Amateur Hunter 36 & Over, Children’s Hunter 14 & Under, Children’s Hunter 15-17, Children’s Hunter Pony Small/Medium, Children’s Hunter Pony Large, Children’s Jumper, Adult Jumper, Pony Jumper and Low Children’s/Adult Jumper.
The Laura Pickett Trophy for Excellence in Horsemanship award will once again be presented to the “up-and-coming” adult or child rider and their trainer who best exhibit the enthusiasm, dedication, style, and commitment to excellent horsemanship that brings out the best in horse and rider at this year’s WIHS Regional Horse Show and USHJA Zone 3 Finals. A new addition to the competition last year, the special trophy is in remembrance of a fellow local equestrian. The award was generously donated by Vicki Lowell in memory of Laura Pickett. A presentation will take place center ring at Verizon Center during the 55th annual Washington International. For more information and nomination forms, go to www.wihs.org/wihs-regional.
The Washington International Horse Show team offers their sincerest appreciation and thanks to all exhibitors, trainers, owners, sponsors, volunteers, staff and friends for making the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals such a wonderful stop on the equestrian calendar and looks forward to seeing everyone in October. For more information on the 2013 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals, please visit www.wihs.org.
About the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org)
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 20,000 spectators to the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for nearly half a million dollars in prize money. Event highlights include the Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday), the $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a World Cup qualifier (Saturday night) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.