Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2012 – The 2012 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) continued on Thursday with the first day of classes for the Junior Hunters and several International Open Jumper and Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper classes at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. 


The course designer for the jumpers at WIHS this year is Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Red Hook, NY. The International Open Jumpers had two classes on Thursday, and Brianne Goutal, of New York, NY, rode Remarkable Farms LP’s Onira to victory in the $32,000 International Open Jumper jump-off class. Reed Kessler jumped Ligist to the high score in the $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume class. Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers competed as well with a win for Michael Hughes and Red Hot in the Low division and Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius in the High division.


WIHS continues through Sunday, October 28. The highlight classes of the week are the $25,000 Puissance sponsored by The Boeing Company on Friday, October 26, and the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, a FEI World Cup qualifier presented by Events DC, on Saturday, October 27. evening performances will begin at 7 p.m. EST.

Thursday was also the always popular “Barn Night,” presented by Dover Saddlery and media partner The Equiery. Night at WIHS is a favorite with local young riders and horse enthusiasts who attend in groups and have a chance to enter contests, win big prizes, and enjoy a fun, horse-filled evening. “What’s Your Dream?” was the theme for this year’s Barn Night. 


There were 28 entries in the $32,000 International Open Jumper time first jump-off class, sponsored by AAA Equestrian LLC. Nine entries were able to navigate a clear first round and advanced to the jump-off. Five jumped the short course without fault and the win went to Brianne Goutal and Onira, last to go, with a time of 29.06 seconds.


Onira and Brianne Goutal. © Shawn McMillen Photography

Paulo Santana (BRA) and Taloubet completed the first clear jump-off round in 32.08 seconds to finish in fourth place. Christine McCrea (USA) went clear in 29.83 seconds aboard Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables’ Wannick WH to place third. Reed Kessler (USA) upped the pace to 29.63 seconds aboard Cylana to eventually finish second. Tim Gredley (GBR) and Unex Competition Yard Ltd.’s Unex Timo IV also jumped clear, and their time of 34.94 seconds placed fifth. The final entry, Brianne Goutal completed the fastest clear round with Onira for the win. Laura Kraut (USA) actually had the fastest time of the jump-off in 28.33 seconds aboard Hi Hopes Farm LLC’s Teirra, but a tough rail at the last jump placed the pair in sixth.


For the win, Goutal and Onira were presented with The Ben O’Meara Memorial Challenge Trophy. Goutal has owned Onira, a 16-year-old KWPN gelding by Nimmerdor x Ramiro, for ten years now, and the pair has been all over the world together. Goutal felt that their great relationship allowed her to really go for the win today.


“He is 16; I bought him at just turning seven and I know him so well,” she stated. “I jumped my first highs on him, I jumped my first Young Riders, Prix des States, Grand Prix, World Cup Finals, 5* horse show, everything first I did with him, so he is so special. I have had him so long that you know where you can make up and take advantage of what you have.”


The riders that had the fastest rounds in the jump-off all completed a tight roll back turn from fence one to two, and Goutal and Onira did one less stride in the turn than everyone else to shave fractions off of the time. 


She explained her jump-off plan, stating, “My plan was to watch. I was lucky to go last. I didn’t want to go crazy fast because I still have the grand prix on Saturday and I didn’t want to waste the gas. He is naturally such a fast horse that I kind of knew that if I could do the strides and all the turns, I could have a pretty good shot. I think that where I won it was actually one to two, because we all pretty much did the same strides everywhere else. I believe I did five strides and everybody else did six.”


“This must be his sixth or seventh or maybe eighth year here,” Goutal recalled of showing Onira at the WIHS. “I showed him here at least two years as I junior. The first year I ever showed him here when he was seven, I had just gotten him and I did the costume class with Molly Ashe. We were a team. That was when it used to be a junior/pro pairs relay.”


“Nothing fazes him; he is the coolest horse ever,” she smiled. “He is so smart; he is so economic the way he uses himself and he is fast off the ground. Most importantly, he wants to win every time he goes in the ring. You lose, he doesn’t, you know?”

After so many years of competing together, Goutal and Onira are having one of their best years yet. They won three grands prix together this summer and many other classes throughout the year. 


“He is so amazing; everywhere he goes, you know you have a chance,” Goutal praised. “I don’t think in ten years that I have had him that he has done anything wrong, nothing bad at least.”


It is a special thing to have a horse for ten years that continues to do so well, and Goutal appreciates every moment. 


“You have no idea,” she declared. “I am not a very emotional person, but it could get me kind of emotional when I think about it. Every class I can jump one less. We spend our life competing and looking for new horses and buying new horses and selling horses and you know, you never come across that. They don’t make them like that anymore. They don’t make them like that, period. He is a phenomenal horse.” 


Reed Kessler Wins $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice

The $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume Class, sponsored by Hollow Creek Farm, is always an exciting event at WIHS, especially with Barn Night and thousands of young fans cheering on the riders. In tonight’s class, 18-year-old Reed Kessler, of Lexington, KY, jumped to victory aboard Ligist. The duo earned 860 points over the course and jumped clean over the Joker fence for an additional 200 points. Their 1060 total was the winning score.


Kessler was presented with the Crown Royal Trophy, donated by Crown Royal, as the winning rider, while Ligist, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding by Levantos II x Robin Z, won The Sue Ann Geisler Memorial Trophy, donated by the Washington International Horse Show, as the winning horse.


Reed Kessler and Ligist with ringmaster John Franzreb, Andrea King and Emanuel Andrade of Hollow Creek Farm, and WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan. © Shawn McMillen Photography

Kessler showed in tonight’s costume class as Catwoman, explaining that the idea came from her childhood nickname. “My nickname has always been Reedycat,” she stated. “My middle name is Catherine, so that is what my parents always call me. I figured this was the year to be Catwoman.”


After competing in her first Olympic Games this summer, Kessler has become a role model for young girls, and the Barn Night crowd was definitely cheering her on tonight. Commenting on the support of her young fans, Kessler smiled, “It was amazing. I love Washington, especially Barn Night; it is always so much fun. The stands are packed with horse loving kids and it was a blast.”


“I am normally really bad at these classes, so I am over the moon,” Kessler added, but she collaborated on the course route with trainer Katie Prudent and came up with a good plan. “Normally I get a little frazzled and I go too fast and then I have a million rails, so I took it slowly and I went for more the clear round and it paid off.”



Ligist and Reed Kessler. © Shawn McMillen Photography

Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts rode Stal De Kalvarie’s Deibrich De Kalvarie to second place with 980 points dressed as Luigi from the Super Mario Bros. Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam scored 940 points aboard Sweet Oak Farm’s Solerina dressed as a hot dog and finished third.



Hughes and Nusz Triumph in Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers

Sixteen-year-old Michael Hughes, of Allendale, NJ, claimed the win in Thursday’s $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper jump-off class, sponsored by North Star. Twenty-three entries showed in the class, with nine advancing to the jump-off. Hughes and Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Red Hot had the fastest of six double clear rounds in 30.543 seconds for the win and were presented with the Beagle Brook Farm Perpetual Trophy.


Anna Cardelfe and Sorensen Stables’ Wenda AK finished in second place after setting the pace in the jump-off at 31.160 seconds. Nicole Lakin and Theodoor finished third in 31.246 seconds.



Hughes and Red Hot won the $5,000 Senator’s Cup Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic at last year’s WIHS and have their sights set on earning that victory again. They are off to a good start for the week with today’s victory. Following the presentation, Hughes spoke about Red Hot, and how much the 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (by Indoctro) loves indoors.


Red Hot and Michael Hughes. © Shawn McMillen Photography

“He doesn’t show very much. He knows exactly what he has to do, so he only comes out a couple times a year, only at the big horse shows,” Hughes stated. “He is a great horse to do indoors. I’ve been riding him for three or four years now, so I know him really well. He is always so easy. The more pressure you put on him, the better he is. At a bigger horse show he is so much better than he is at a smaller horse show; he just rises to the occasion so well.”


Commenting on his plan for today’s class, Hughes explained, “I just wanted to have a good, confident ride today because there are two more classes going, so hopefully he will be good the rest of the week.”


“I thought the course was very fair for today,” he added. “It wasn’t as difficult as it will probably be on Saturday, but it was a good first course to go in and get started in the ring here.”


On showing at the WIHS, Hughes detailed, “I love the atmosphere here. It is so cool, right in the middle of the city. No other horse show is like this.”
The $5,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper jump-off class, sponsored by Oasis Petroleum, was held during the evening session with a repeat victory for Meagan Nusz, of The Woodlands, TX. Last year, Nusz won the class riding Banana D’Ive Z, and this year she piloted Amalaya Investments’ Vesuvius to victory.



Twenty-three horse and rider combinations contested the class with five entries making it to the jump-off. Chloe Reid and Damascus were first to jump off and went clear in 31.900 seconds over the short course to eventually finish second. Charlotte Jacobs and Deeridge Farms’ Kachina also cleared the course and stopped the clock in 31.971 seconds to earn fourth place. Victoria Colvin and Monsieur Du Reverdy were faster, but had a rail in 30.920 seconds to finish fifth. Gabrielle Bausano went next and cleared the course in 31.957 seconds aboard Ubico H to place third. Last to go, Meagan Nusz and Vesuvius stole the lead, racing through the course in 29.509 seconds for the win.



Vesuvius and Meagan Nusz. © Shawn McMillen Photography

Nusz is 25 years old and trains with show jumper Kent Farrington. Her horse, Vesuvius, is a ten-year-old KWPN gelding by Numero Uno x Expert. The pair was awarded The “Footloose” Perpetual Trophy in remembrance of Ruth Ellen Wilmot, donated by The Curtin Family, for their win tonight.


Commenting on her success, Nusz explained, “Last year was my first year here, and this year it was very exciting to win again. I really wasn’t expecting it. I did a repeat of last year, winning two classes and a championship at Harrisburg and then the first class here. That was really exciting; I tried to tell myself that I am not going to win everything, that I might have a rail down, and not to be too disappointed. My horse is amazing though, and he tries so hard out there. Good days and bad days, I really trust him. He is a tremendous horse, and I am so lucky to have him. We have a great partnership and it is exciting when we do well.”

Riding in the class during Barn Night, Nusz had a full crowd of horse fans cheering her on as well, which added to the atmosphere and excitement of the win. Nusz acknowledged the fans, throwing her blue ribbon to one of the little girls in the crowd.

“They are so cute! They are screaming for you and yelling for your horse,” Nusz smiled. “I threw my ribbon to one of the girls in the stands because she was so excited and so cute. Hopefully it will be something special for her to remember this by, and hopefully she will come back again next year. It means so much to have that support. The amateur riders don’t always have that same support, and it means so much! I love riding for a big crowd; I love the attention, especially when I win.”


The Washington International Horse Show continues tomorrow with the championships for the junior hunter divisions as well as the hunter phase for the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals. The Low and High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers will have speed classes in the afternoon session, while the International Open Jumpers have a $10,000 1.40m faults converted class.

The evening session begins with a $32,000 International Open Jumper 1.50m faults converted class, followed by terrier races, an exhibition from the .S. Army’s Caisson Platoon military horses and amazing demonstrations from Australian horsemanship master Guy McLean. The night closes with the $25,000 Puissance, presenting The Armed Forces Cup, sponsored by The Boeing Company.

The WIHS is excited to announce that the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, CSI 3*-W will be aired on NBC Sports Network on Sunday, October 28, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. EST.

The show will also be live streamed in its entirety at www.wihs.org, and also available on USEF Network on Saturday evening at www.usefnetwork.com.

The WIHS Silent Auction is live all week long and includes lots of terrific one-of-a-kind items that can’t be missed. Visit http://wihs.maestroweb.com/  to register to bid on the great items or stop by the Silent Auction Area on the Shopping Concourse at Verizon Center to see the items in person.

WIHS tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000 . General admission is $15 Tuesday through Sunday with children 12 and under admitted free for daytime performances before 5 p.m., courtesy of Washington Area Chevrolet Dealers. Reserved and VIP tickets are available for evening performances. Ending times are approximate. For Discounted Group Sales, call 202-661-5061 . Tickets also may be purchased in person at the Verizon Center Box Office. For information about Verizon Center accessible seating and services, call 202-661-5065  (TTY). Full ticket information can be found by visiting www.wihs.org/tickets.

For full results, more information, or to watch the free live feed of the show, please visit www.wihs.org.



Final Results: $32,000 International Open Jumper TFJO, Sponsored by AAA Equestrian LLC
Placing/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Country/Owner/Rd. 1 Faults/Rd. 2 Faults/Time
1 65 ONIRA BRIANNE GOUTAL USA REMARKABLE FARMS LP: 0/0/29.06
2 48 CYLANA REED KESSLER USA REED KESSLER: 0/0/29.63
3 95WANNICK WH CHRISTINE McCREA USA CANDY TRIBBLE & WINDSOR SHOW STABLES: 0/0/29.83
4 27 TALOUBET PAULO SANTANA BRA PAULO SANTANA: 0/0/32.08
5 6 UNEX TIMO IV TIM GREDLEY GBR UNEX COMPETITION YARD LTD: 0/0/34.94
6 32 TEIRRA LAURA KRAUT USA HI HOPES FARM LLC: 0/4/28.33
7 73 PALM SUNDAY AARON VALE USA AMEN CORNER FARM: 0/4/34.08
8 1 CARISMA EMILIE MARTINSEN DEN EMILIE MARTINSEN: 0/4/36.80
9 83 VOYEUR KENT FARRINGTON USA TNT EQUINE PARTNERS LLC: 0/15/46.19
10 90 VADETTA VH METTEN H NICOLA PHILIPPAERTS BEL FANNY MACHIELS: 4/59.82
11 26WALDMAN Z CHARLIE JAYNE USA PONY LANE FARM: 4/59.94
12 71 CADENCE MEGAN EDRICK USA PROCEDURES, INC: 4/60.09

Final Results: $20,000 International Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice, Sponsored by Hollow Creek Farm
Placing/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Country/Owner/Points/Time
1 49 LIGIST REED KESSLER USA REED KESSLER: 1060 57.345
2 92 DIEBRICH DE KALVARIE NICOLA PHILIPPAERTS BEL STAL DE KALVARIE: 980 0.000
3 17 SOLERINA SHANE SWEETNAM IRL SWEET OAK FARM: 940 56.845
4 25 VALESKA CHARLIE JAYNE USA PONY LANE FARM: 900 59.304
5 31 BELMONT LAURA KRAUT USA BEVERLEY WIDDOWSON: 880 0.000
6 8 UNEX VALVENTE TIM GREDLEY GBR UNEX COMPETITION YARD LTD: 880 57.874
7 60 X M ANDREW WELLES USA PETER WELLES: 870 58.265
8 86 VICTOR E CHRISTINE MCCREA USA CANDY TRIBBLE & WINDSOR SHOW STABLES: 830 0.000
9 38 WONDER GIRL LAUREN HOUGH USA LAUREN HOUGH: 730 51.903
10 88 CHICAGO VH MOLENEINA OLIVIER PHILIPPAERTS BEL LUDO PHILIPPAERTS: 730 59.420

Final Results: $2,500 Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper TFJO, Sponsored by North Star
Placing
/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Owner/Rd. 1 Faults/Rd. 2 Faults/Time
1 

243 RED HOT MICHAEL HUGHES DRUMNACROSS FARM LTD: 0/0/30.543
2 145WENDA AK ANNA CARDELFE SORENSEN STABLES: 0/0/31.160
3 151 THEODOOR NICOLE LAKIN NICOLE LAKIN: 0/0/31.246
4 173 S & L PYLOS ANNABELLE GUNDLACH POSTAGE STAMP FARM: 0/0/31.928
5 212 VON DUTCH REID PATTON REID PATTON: 0/0/32.009
6 266 ISHANA III KELLI CRUCIOTTI SERENITY FARM: 0/0/32.445
7 687 SUGAR RAY SAMANTHA SCHAEFER JOHN SKINNER: 0/4/30.689
8 147 THUNDER-BALL ALEESHA MELWANI MOUNTAIN HOME STABLES: 0/8/30.231

Final Results: High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper TFJO, Sponsored by Oasis Petroleum
Placing/Back Number/Horse/Rider/Owner/Rd. 1 Faults/Rd. 2 Faults/Time
1 746 VESUVIUS MEAGAN NUSZ AMALAYA INVESTMENTS: 0/0/29.509
2 220 DAMASCUS CHLOE REID CHLOE D REID LLC: 0/0/31.900
3 142 UBICO H GABRIELLE BAUSANO GABRIELLE BAUSANO: 0/0/31.957
4 582 KACHINA CHARLOTTE JACOBS DEERIDGE FARMS: 0/0/31.971
5 444MONSIEUR DU REVERDY VICTORIA COLVIN VICTORIA COLVIN: 0/4/30.920
6 104 CHELLANDO Z KATHERINE STRAUSS KATHERINE STRAUSS: 4/57.756
7 120 INDY ASHLEY FOSTER RAF LLC: 4/58.721
8 635 COSTA EMANUEL ANDRADE HOLLOW CREEK FARM: 4/59.283

Photo Credit: Photos © Shawn McMillen Photography, www.shawnmcmillen.com. These photos may only be used in relation to this press release and with full photo credit.

About the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org)

An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with top riders, including Olympic medalists and their world-class horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show, with many competing all year just to qualify. Highlights include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (a World Cup qualifier), the Puissance (high jump) and WIHS Equitation Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Exciting equestrian exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities, such as Kids’ Day and Breakfast with the Mounted Police, round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the WIHS has been a Washington, D.C. institution attended by celebrities, business, military, and diplomatic leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages. Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.