![A favorite with WIHS audiences is Nick Skelton, London Olympic Team Gold Medalist. Shown here winning the 2011 WIHS President's Cup Grand Prix with Carlo 273. (Diana DeRosa)](/images/articles/3508/skelton.jpg)
A favorite with WIHS audiences is Nick Skelton, London Olympic Team Gold Medalist. Shown here winning the 2011 WIHS President's Cup Grand Prix with Carlo 273. (Diana DeRosa)
The WIHS is one of the most exciting equestrian competitions in the nation, and spectators are welcome to join in the festivities during the week to watch show jumping at its best, the beautiful hunters, and the best up-and-coming junior riders in the country. Exhibitions contribute to the fun atmosphere of the show and are always a big hit for riders and non-equestrians alike. Buy your tickets today and see what the WIHS is all about.
Olympic gold medalists Laura Kraut of the United States and Nick Skelton of Great Britain are planning to attend the WIHS again this year. At the 2011 WIHS, Skelton was the big winner in the $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix with Carlo 273 and $25,000 Puissance high jump class with Unique. Kraut plans to bring one of her top horses, Teirra, while Skelton will return with Carlo 273, who was a huge fan favorite at WIHS last year.
Kraut said, “Washington International is a special show in the United States. They really make an effort to put on a world-class competition, and we need to make sure it has great support and keep it important. Washington is a show that I make an effort to compete at every year."
Tickets are available at the Verizon Center box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. General admission tickets for daytime performances are $15 (plus applicable service charges), Tuesday through Sunday, with children 12 and under admitted for free. Reserved and VIP tickets are available for evening performances. For pricing information please visit www.wihs.org/tickets.
Discounts are available for groups, military/seniors, students and Metro card holders. For more information on Group Sales please call 202-661-5061.
Highlights of the 2012 WIHS include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (a World Cup qualifier) on Saturday, October 27, the $25,000 Puissance (high jump competition) on Friday, Oct. 26, and the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders, on Saturday, Oct. 27.
Exciting equestrian exhibitions and community activities such as Kids' Day, Barn Night, and Breakfast with the Mounted Police will also be held. All of the details on the scheduled activities can be found on the horse show website at www.wihs.org/schedule/. Further details on the competition are described in this year’s official prize list, which can be found at www.wihs.org/prize-list/.
Nearly half a million dollars in prize money and special awards will be presented at the show, including Washington favorites like special treats from Georgetown Cupcake and luxury timepieces for the leading hunter and jumper riders, courtesy of Tiny Jewel Box.
WIHS is one of the most historic and well-known equestrian events in the world with a significant record of hosting Olympians, national champions, our country’s most talented young equitation riders, and top ranking junior, amateur and pony competitors, all of whom take to the ring each October in the nation’s capital.
Visit www.wihs.org/tickets/ for more information on purchasing tickets to this year’s event. Download the 2012 Official WIHS Prize List at www.wihs.org/prize-list/. Learn more about the Washington International and the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Finals at www.wihs.org, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
About the Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org)
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 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.