Increased Prize Money and New George H. Morris Style of Riding Award
Washington, DC – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America, is pleased to announce the WIHS Official Prize List is now available as well as exciting news for its 58th annual event, taking place October 25-30, 2016, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
> Link to 2016 Official WIHS Prize List
“We are proud to offer a show like no other,” said Victoria Lowell, WIHS President. “We have more than 26,000 enthusiastic spectators, 500 of the best horses in the world, more than $500,000 in prize money, as well as great dining, shopping, entertainment and hospitality all in the heart of our nation’s capital city, Washington, D.C.”
WIHS will again host a Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League event and present the coveted President’s Cup on Saturday night. The event is an important qualifier leading up to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in March, which will be held for the first time in Omaha, Nebraska.
Exciting News for 2016
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington CSI4*-W prize money will increase to $130,000 and offer more FEI ranking points.
Thursday night’s entertaining costume class will be a $35,000 Accumulator Top Score Costume Class with eligibility for FEI ranking points and a new Best Costume Award, presented by Equestrian Sport Productions.
A special inaugural award will be presented in honor of legendary horseman George Morris, who will be one of our judges in the WIHS Equitation Finals this year. The George H. Morris Style of Riding Award will recognize an International Jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation and jumping and the respectful, dignified, and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman.
Prize money will top half a million dollars including special cash bonuses to the leading hunter and jumper riders. WIHS will award $10,000 to the leading International Jumper rider, and a $10,000 bonus and the Juliet Weber Reid Trophy, sponsored by Sleepy P Ranch, will go to the leading International Jumper rider 25 years of age or under.
A $5,000 cash bonus will be awarded to the Professional Hunter Rider accumulating the most points in the professional hunter divisions.
The WIHS Young Jumper Championship Incentive Bonus Program, which encourages investment in developing young horses, will return with up to $20,000 at play, thanks to SHF Enterprises.
Hospitality
Complimentary exhibitor hospitality includes the Sterling Club Exhibitors Lounge, presented by Marshall & Sterling, open from 4:00 A.M. through 4:00 P.M. daily and after-parties at Oyamel, hosted by ThinkFood Group, and the Irish Channel Pub.
Additional hospitality options will be available at all levels throughout the week including tables in the Lugano and Etc. Clubs situated on the ringside terraces and in the family-friendly Acela Club. WIHS charity partners will benefit from evening parties in the Acela Club including Capital Breast Care Center, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) and the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation.
WIHS offers several sponsorship and hospitality packages including tables on our custom-built ringside dining terraces and in the sky box-level Acela Club, as well as tickets to evening social events. Sponsorships are tax-deductible and available at all levels with a wide range of benefits and amenities. For more information, call Mary Helen Shaughnessy, WIHS Sponsorship & Hospitality Director, at 202-525-3679 or email maryhelen@wihs.org.
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, President’s Cup Grand Prix (Saturday night), the $25,000 Puissance high jump, presented by The Boeing Company on Military Night (Friday) and Kids’ Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.