For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – September 11, 2014 – Barn Night, presented by Dover Saddlery, returns to the 2014 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Thursday, October 23, featuring a night of fun activities and top international competition. Barn Night at WIHS is a favorite with young riders and horse lovers of all ages who attend in groups and have a chance to enter contests, win big prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening. The 56th annual WIHS will feature six days of competition on October 21-26, 2014, at Verizon Center in the heart of downtown Washington, D.C.
Meadowbrook Farm attended in full force at Barn Night 2013
This year’s Barn Night will feature a High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper speed competition, the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen, the exciting and hilarious $20,000 Gambler’s Choice Show Jumping Costume Class, fun activities along the concourse, as well as an autograph signing with top riders.
In one of the highlight events, the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase races will give fans a chance to cheer on adorable jockeys and ponies as they race over a course of mini hurdles at Verizon Center. WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase races are run like professional racing events with a bugler, race caller and photo finish, but the jockeys are youngsters from ages seven to 16.
The first leg of the 2014 WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series, presented by Charles Owen, was held at the historic Devon Horse Show in May. The second leg will be held at the first ever Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex, later in September, and the 2014 series will conclude with its final leg of races at WIHS in October. The ponies will race at Verizon Center on two nights, including Thursday’s Barn Night and again on Saturday night before the President’s Cup Grand Prix, presented by Events DC.
Speedy ponies delighted the crowd in the inaugural WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase. Photo © Shawn McMillen Photography.
All barns, equestrian groups, teams, and horse enthusiasts are invited to take part in the exciting competition, contests, and fun activities of Barn Night 2014. Barns can register to participate in group contests and enter for the chance to win great prizes, such as a clinic with Olympic Gold Medalist Peter Wylde courtesy of Cavalor, a custom golf cart courtesy of United Metro Golf Cart Rentals, Sales & Service, and valuable Dover Saddlery gift certificates. Barn Night is also generously supported by The Peterson Family Foundation, The Equiery, and Breyer.
This year’s WIHS Barn Night group contests include: Largest Group Contest, Group Spirit Contest, Banner Contest, and Video Contest. All Registration Forms are due by October 16, 2014. Register early, by October 1, 2014, to be automatically entered in a raffle for a chance to win a $250 Dover Saddlery Gift Certificate.
Along with the great competition and contests, the third annual ‘Buck Breast Cancer’ party will be held in the Acela Club during Barn Night beginning at 7 p.m. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the Capital Breast Care Center. Guests are invited to wear pink and attend the reception in honor of Laura Pickett, a well-loved local equestrian and trainer who touched the lives of many in the horse world and who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2012. Tickets are $150 per person and include dinner and an open bar. Call 202.525.3679 to purchase tickets or tables.
The Gamblers Choice Costume Class!
The Washington International Horse Show looks forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s Barn Night. For more information on Barn Night visit: http://www.wihs.org/barn-night/.
WIHS tickets are available online at www.Ticketmaster.com. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more through Verizon Center Group Sales. Call 202-661-5061 for details.
Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography.
About the Washington International Horse Show, wihs.org
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show attracts more than 26,000 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 more than a half a million dollars in prize money. In 2014, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), theinternational governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines,raised the show’s rating to CSI4*-W to reflect the increase in prize money for international show jumping. 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. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is recognized as a Top 25 Horse Show by the North American Riders Group.