USA: Fifty-Six Years in the City: Washington International Horse Show Jumps to New Heights

23 Nov 2014

For one week each October, the Penn Quarter neighborhood around Verizon Center in downtown Washington, D.C. is transformed into a festival of horses. Streets are closed for stabling and community events, and pedestrians and vehicles make way for the arrival of hundreds of horses – some of the finest in the world – to compete at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), the country’s most prestigious metropolitan indoor horse show and a D.C. tradition since 1958. 

WIHS wrapped up its 56th year, one of the most exciting and successful events in its history, finding new relevance with businesses and the local community, reinforcing its position in equestrian sport worldwide and delighting horse lovers of all ages.

“Everything came together this year. On the sport side, we had the best of the best qualifying and competing, from Olympic gold medalists and international riders from the European Union and Latin America to top national hunter riders. We had hugely entertaining exhibitions, wonderful partnerships with local and military charities, the support of forward-thinking sponsors, and popular parties and community events,” said Bridget Love Meehan, the show’s executive director since 2011.

The highlight event of the week brought out a star-studded lineup of top international show jumpers for Saturday night’s $125,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*-W presented by Events DC. Spectators filled the arena and the elegant ringside dining platforms to watch riders from around the world take on the biggest jumps, up to 1.60m in height, for the biggest purse of the show. Only four riders cleared the first round to advance to round two. Following a thrilling jump-off, McLain Ward of Brewster, N.Y., riding HH Carlos Z, won by a fraction of a second, just beating rising star Jessica Springsteen.

Ward, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, will have his name etched for an unprecedented fourth time on the base of the President of the United States Perpetual Cup donated to the show in 1961 by First Lady Jaqueline Kennedy and which bears the seal of the president of the U.S. Finishing third was Beezie Madden, also a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the top-ranked women show jumpers in the world. 

In a moving moment, Ward pulled up during his victory gallop to present his winning sash to an eager young fan in the stands. “This event has great history. It has always been a marquee event on the show jumping calendar as a world cup qualifier. With the horse show in the heart of D.C. — such a beautiful city and area — it’s really something special for our sport,” said Ward.

Earlier in the evening, up-and-coming rider Michael Hughes, 18, of Allendale, N.J., won the three-phase WIHS Equitation Finals, consisting of riding tests over hunter and jumper courses followed by a difficult final test as the top four riders swapped horses to jump another course. Riders compete throughout the year to earn an invitation to the finals at Verizon Center. This prestigious year-end championship for junior riders is a touchstone for future international equestrian success, as evidenced by Ward, who won the finals in 1993 as well as top international riders Kent Farrington (1999), Brianne Goutal (2004) and Lillie Keenan (2010). 

Power and Speed

Power and speed was the name of the game on Friday’s Military Night, presented by The Boeing Company, which included an exciting evening of competition, a trophy in honor of the U.S. Armed Forces, recognition and support for WIHS’ longstanding Official Military Charity Partner, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the Armed Forces Reception presented by the Travelers Companies, Inc. benefiting local therapeutic riding centers serving the military community.

The Boeing Company $25,000 Puissance high jump competition is a fan favorite as horses and riders take on the great wall in an extraordinary display of power and courage. The current North American record of 7′ 7-1/2″ was set at WIHS 31 years ago in 1983 by Anthony D’Ambrosio aboard Sweet ‘N Low. D’Ambrosio, serving as course designer for this year’s show, set the wall at an initial height of 5’6″ (1.70m) and increased it over four rounds. It was 21-year-old Jessica Springsteen of Colts Neck, N.J., aboard Stone Hill Farm’s Lisona, who was the only rider to clear the wall at the winning height of 6’10″ (2.08m).

As both the winning rider and owner of the winning horse, Springsteen was awarded the Armed Forces Cup, presented by The Boeing Company, The Congressman’s Challenge Trophy, and Lisona became the first recipient of the Sweet ‘N Low Trophy, donated this year by Mr. and Mrs. Donald G. Tober in honor of their record-setting horse, Sweet ‘N Low. 

During the speed portion of the evening, a newly created TAPS-themed jump held center stage for the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final. For each horse/rider combination to clear the imposing plank vertical, American businessman and financier T. Boone Pickens donated $1,000 to further TAPS’ mission to benefit families of America’s fallen heroes. Pickens cut a check for $14,000, which was then matched during the exciting event. The winner of the competition was Olivier Philippaerts, 21, of Belgium, who rode Carlito C to clear the course without fault in the fastest time.

In the debut Army vs. Navy Celebrity Barrel Racing exhibition, sponsored by Washington Area Chevy Dealers, it was Navy edging out Army for the win in an exciting display of determination and all-out speed urged on by cheering spectators. Running the barrels were teams comprised of professional barrel racers, top international show jumpers Reed Kessler, Todd Minikus, Jessica Springsteen and Candice King, and members of the military, a midshipman from the United States Naval Academy and a member of the U.S. Army Caisson Platoon for Army. 

WIHS has enjoyed a close relationship with the U.S. military since its earliest days when former U.S. Army horses and riders represented the country in national and international competition. That connection continues today through the WIHS Armed Forces Program that includes Military Night, presented by The Boeing Company, and the popular WIHS Military Ticket Program, presented by Fidelity Investments®. Thanks to program supporters The Boeing Company, The Travelers Companies, Inc., Waldron Wealth Management, Helen K. Groves, Jacqueline B. Mars and The Tisbo Family, thousands of local military families received complimentary tickets to enjoy this year’s show.

WIHS was also honored to welcome several high-ranking military leaders to the show, including special guests Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral James A. Winnefeld and his wife, Mary Winnefeld, Regimental Commander of the Old Guard (3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment) Col. Johnny Davis, Battalion Commander of 1st Battalion 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment LTC David S. Taylor and others. 

The annual Armed Forces Reception presented by Travelers Companies, Inc., is a special event held to benefit the horses that help our heroes. Therapeutic riding centers specialize in equine-assisted programs that can make a real difference to veterans and active duty U.S. military and their families dealing with emotional and physical trauma. This year’s beneficiaries are Caisson Platoon Equine Assisted Programs, Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic & Recreational Riding Center, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding and Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center. 

A special musical presentation by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and a Mounted Color Guard organized by the Maryland National Capital Park Police rounded out one of the show’s most popular evenings. 

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

Photo: Except as noted, all photos ©Shawn McMillen Photography