Washington, D.C. - The 56th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) wrapped up another historic week of show jumping in the nation’s capital by adorning ponies with ribbons galore at downtown D.C.’s Verizon Center.

Armani, owned by Pretty Penny Farm and ridden by Claire Campbell, took Grand Champion Pony Hunter honors and was presented with The Miles River Moonglow Trophy donated by Scott Novick and Rustic Woods on Sunday. 

A 10-year-old Welsh Pony gelding, Armani carried Campbell to her first-ever division championship in the Small Pony Hunter sponsored by Further Lane Farm. For the benchmark achievement, she was awarded The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy donated by Stombock Saddlery in Memory of E.P. (Bud) Stombock.

“This was amazing and a big surprise,” said Campbellof her first divisional and grand champion title all in one day. “I have only been riding him for two months so this is a big deal.”

Campbell, who hails from Cochranville, PA, and Armani became fast friends just weeks ago before starring in the 11-year old rider’s second appearance at WIHS. “He’s really fun, a great jumper and he has a way better canter than any other pony,” she said.

Armani – a breeding stallion until he was seven – adds a charming sass to the small pony hunter division. “He’s sweet, but he wants to eat or bite everything. He has a lot of personality,” added Campbell.

That personality, while maybe problematic in the barn aisle, pays dividends in the show ring. Armani scored an 87 for Campbell to win the Stake and claim the Best Pony Hunter Stake Round Award. They also finished first on Saturday and were fourth under saddle. Arms full with prizes, Campbell returns home on Sunday promising Armani plenty of treats for his performances. She, on the other hand, has restful plans for herself. “I am going straight to bed,” she concluded with a smile.

Playing runner up to Campbell in the Small Pony Hunter Division was Sophie Gochman and Rico Suave owned by Ponies & Palms Show Stables. The pair won the Handy with an 86 for Reserve Champion, along with another second place over fences and third under saddle, but Gochman didn’t leave WIHS without a top tricolor. In the Medium Pony Hunters, she and Truly Noble, owned by Pegasus Show Stables, won the Stake to take Champion and were second over fences and third in the handy class. She was presented with The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Ltd.

Reserve Champion for the Medium Pony Hunters stayed in the family and was presented to Mimi Gochman after she and True Love owned by David Gochman were second in the Handy and also second and fourth over fences. Mimi Gochman also accepted the Potomac Trophy for High Score Junior Hunter Rider on a Pony sponsored by Riverview Farm, LLC for the second year in a row.

The Pegasus Stable Perpetual Trophy, donated by Ms. Fenwick Kollock, was claimed by Kirklen Petersen and All My Love owned by Dr. Betsee Parker after a Stake win clinched the Large Pony Hunter Championship. They were also second and third over fences.