Washington, D.C. – June 25, 2012 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a leading national equestrian event based in Washington, D.C. since 1958, is proud to announce Hanna Powers of Potomac Falls, Virginia, as Youth Ambassador of the 2012 show.

Powers, 15, is a sophomore at The Madeira School in McLean, Virginia, and competes on the varsity Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team. She has attended WIHS for many years with her friends and family. Powers brings a wealth of knowledge of equestrian sport to her new role. 

2012 WIHS Youth Ambassador Hanna Powers with Raven. Photo © Diana Hosford.

“I am honored to be a part of the WIHS family as the 2012 Youth Ambassador. Through this historic horse show, I hope that our efforts to share the wonderful world of horses with young people in the Washington, D.C. area will ignite the imaginations of a whole new generation of horse enthusiasts!” said Powers.

As the 2012 WIHS Youth Ambassador, Powers will oversee the WIHS Junior Committee and work with show management to reach out to the local youth of our community. She will help give WIHS a youth perspective as the show develops new and exciting youth-related programs from young rider events to Kids’ Day. The Junior Committee consists of students from public, charter and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

“We are thrilled to have Hanna’s energy and enthusiasm as our 2012 Youth Ambassador. She will lead the activities of our Junior Committee, a diverse and talented group of young local equestrians who have expressed strong interest in hands-on learning about all aspects of WIHS. Our Junior Committee works hard to help us make our horse show a very special event for competitors, spectators, and the local community. We are honored to work closely with this group of young equestrians who represent the future of the horse industry in the Washington area,” said Bridget Love Meehan, Executive Director, WIHS.

Washington International Horse Show received many applications from very qualified students in the D.C. Metro area and beyond. Powers will serve as the fourth WIHS Youth Ambassador following Jamal Brown, Anna Rossi, and Shannon Miglarese.

The 54th annual Washington International Horse Show will be held October 23-28, 2012 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.wihs.org.

About the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS)  
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s only 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 Classic 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.

Washington International Horse Show
3299 K Street NW, Suite 600 • Washington, D.C. 20007
Contact: Diana Hosford: 202.215.2950 or Dianahosford@wihs.org