The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is one of America's most elite horse shows, founded in 1958. The event took place every October for more than 20 years in the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. for two decades. The 2022 event took place at The Show Place Arena, in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland. The event is highlighted by international level show jumping, top show hunters, and two equitation championships.[1] The event is currently ranked as a CSI-5*-W International show jumping event, as well as a USEF Premier Hunter and USEF 6* Jumper show.[2]
The Washington International Horse Show was founded in 1958 and quickly became a prestigious event for riders of all ages.[3] Over the years, many breeds and disciplines participated including Arabians, Cutting, Dressage, Walkers, Quarter Horses and Hunter/Jumper.[4] Additionally, the show was featured in the movie The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit in which scenes were filmed at the show, and premiered in 1968. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 and 2021 (62nd and 63rd) WIHS was hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C.[5] The 2022 event returned to the DC area and was the first one in Prince George's County for more than 20 years when it took place at The Show Place Arena.[6]
The event has been closely involved with the American presidency over the years, with the Presidential seal being given to the President of the United States Perpetual Cup by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Honorary Chairmen have included First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush. Ambassadors and other notable persons have also been honorary chairmen.
The WIHS is a six day event that completely transforms the Capitol One Arena. The hockey rink is melted and the walls are removed, making way for carpeting and arena footing. Horse stables are erected on F and 6th streets, closing motor traffic down for the duration of the event. Horses are gathered at the nearby Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD where they can train and are then shuttled into the city for the specific days that they will be competing.[7]
Qualifying is required for this event. Hunter and national jumpers are selected by USEF National points acquired throughout the qualifying period, while international jumpers are selected using the FEI standard process.[8]
Hunter classes take up much of the daytime competition, with professional and amateur divisions running on Tuesday and Wednesday, and junior and pony classes taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. National championships for Child and Adult Hunter and Jumper classes are held. The WIHS Equitation Final takes place over Friday and Saturday, while the Pony Equitation Final occurs on Sunday. National and International show jumping are highlighted Thursday through Saturday in the afternoons and evening classes.
The WIHS also features the WIHS Regional Championships allowing for regional riders to compete at their home show without accumulating the points necessary to compete in the elite divisions.
The WIHS Equitation Championship is one of the most prestigious equitation finals in North America. It is considered one of the four major finals in the United States alongside the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, and USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. Riders compete in a two-phase qualifying class throughout the qualifying period in which points are given based on the placing and the number of people in the class. The top 30 riders on the East Coast and top 10 riders on the West Coast are invited to the championship.
The final consists of three phases. The hunter phase is a hunter-style course while the jumper phase is a more technical jumper-style course. After each phase scores are given for each rider. The top ten riders with the most points across the two phases are invited back for the third round in which riders switch horses and complete a third course. Scores are not given for the final round until after awards are announced.[9]
The WIHS Pony Equitation Finals is one of the two major pony equitation championships alongside the USEF Pony Medal Finals. The top 25 pony riders from around the country based on points accumulated are invited to the show. Riders can choose any pony of any height to compete on. Small ponies jump at 2'3", mediums at 2'6", and large ponies jump at 3'0". The class consists of one round followed by a work-off round.
| 2019 | Fleurette | Laura Kraut | St. Bride's Farm | |
| 2018 | Breitling LS | Beezie Madden | Elizabeth Wexner | |
| 2017 | Dsarie | Beat Mändli | Grant Road Partners GmbH | |
| 2016 | Ohlala | Lauren Hough | Lauren Hough | |
| 2015 | Emerald | Harrie Smolders | Axel Verlooy/Eurohorse BVBA | |
| 2014 | HH Carlos Z | McLain Ward | Double H Farm | |
| 2013 | Blue Angel | Kent Farrington | Robin Parsky | |
| 2012 | Cylana | Reed Kessler | Reed Kessler | |
| 2011 | Carlo 273 | Nick Skelton | Beverley Widdowson | |
| 2010 | Sapphire | McLain Ward | McLain Ward & Blue Chip Bloodstock |
| 2021 | Dominic Gibbs | Cent 15 | |
| 2020 | Tessa Brown | Davide | |
| 2019 | Sam Walker | Waldo | |
| 2018 | Elli Yeager | Copperfield 39 | |
| 2017 | Taylor St. Jacques | Di Samorano | |
| 2016 | Hunter Holloway | Any Given Sunday | |
| 2015 | Victoria Colvin | Patrick | |
| 2014 | Michael Hughes | Finnick | |
| 2013 | Meredith Darst | Soldier | |
| 2012 | Elizabeth Benson | San Remo VDL | |
| 2011 | Chase Boggio | Massimo | |
| 2010 | Lillie Keenan | Uno |
| 2019 | Cameo | Scott Stewart | Betsee Parker | |
| 2018 | Bastogne | Hunt Tosh | Ceil Wheeler | |
| 2017 | Private Life | Scott Stewart | Betsee Parker | |
| 2016 | Catch Me | Scott Stewart | David Gochman | |
| 2015 | Boss | John French | Laura Wasserman | |
| 2014 | Mindful | Kelley Farmer | Glefke and Kensel, LLC | |
| 2013 | Quotable | Kelley Farmer | D. Larry Glefke & Dr. Kenneth Garber | |
| 2012 | Enjoy | Scott Stewart | Rose Hill Farm | |
| 2011 | Garfield | Scott Stewart | Alexandra Crown | |
| 2010 | Francesca | Maggie Jayne | Pony Lane Farm |