The Washington International Horse Show will begin a new tradition at the MCI Center during the week of October 25-30, 2005. This year, the illustrious show introduces the $10,000 Washington International Invitational Dressage Championship.

The participants in this championship will include two riders chosen from the United States Equestrian Federation High Performance Dressage Grand Prix Ranking List and two riders invited through “Wild Card” invitations. The USEF High Performance Dressage Ranking List is a grand prix list that starts anew every summer and ranks rider/horse combinations according to scores earned at designated USEF High-Performance Qualifying Competitions.

For the WIHS Dressage Championship, a purse of $10,000 will be distributed between the four riders, with 40% going to first place, 30% to second, 20% to third, and 10% to the fourth place finisher. There are no entry or stabling fees for these selected exhibitors.

On Thursday, October 27, the four selected dressage riders will compete in the Grand Prix Competition for the first half of the championship class. Friday, October 28, the four riders will then return for the Musical Freestyle portion.

The grand prix level in dressage is a competition of the highest level and demonstrates the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse, reflecting a perfect understanding between horse and rider. The freestyle portion involves an artistic equitation to music, and the rider is free to form a presentation in the manner he chooses.

“We are really excited about this event,” stated WIHS Manager Hugh Kincannon. “There are so many dressage riders and enthusiasts in the Washington D.C. area, and we would like to broaden the scope of the show to recognize this discipline. We hope this event appeals to the concentration of dressage lovers in the area.”

Marilyn Adams, Director of the USEF High Performance Dressage Program, is working extensively as an advisor to Hugh Kincannon and the Washington International Horse Show for this championship.

Adams offered the comment, “This is a wonderful opportunity that the Washington International Horse Show is offering to our dressage athletes. The possibility to compete indoors in the U.S. will help us be more competitive internationally. Indoor competition opportunities for our athletes are crucial to the development of strong international combinations.”

Thursday and Friday’s evening activities will begin at 7:30 p.m. with terrier races and barrel racing preceding the WIHS Dressage Invitational Championship.

For more information on the Washington International Horse Show, please visit their website at www.wihs.org.


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