2013 Fast Facts

55th Annual Washington International Horse Show

When
October 22-27, 2013 (Tuesday-Sunday)

What
Horse-crazy or not, if you like championship sport and fast-paced entertainment and fun, this is the event for you.

An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country's leading metropolitan indoor horse show. Each October more than 500 of the top national and international horses and riders, including Olympic veterans, come together in Washington, DC, to compete in six days of thrilling competition.

Highlights include the $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix, the Puissance high-jump competition and the WIHS Equitation Finals featuring the country's top junior riders. Kids' Day, Barn Night, special exhibitions and boutique shopping round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington institution attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military 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, DC.

Where
Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004 (corner of 7th and F Streets, NW)

Verizon Center is the home of the Washington International since 2000, as well as professional and college sports teams including the Wizards (NBA), the Capitals (NHL), the Mystics (WNBA) and the Georgetown Hoyas, as well as concerts, family shows and sporting events.

How To Get There
Take Metrorail or Metrobus to the "Gallery Place-Chinatown" stop for an easy trip to the show. The Metro station is located  below Verizon Center. Directions to Verizon Center.

Highlights

• Tuesday evening: WIHS Children's & Adult Hunter Championships
• Wednesday evening: WIHS Adult Jumper Championships
• Thursday evening: Barn Night! $20,000 Gamblers Choice Costume Class  
• Friday evening: $25,000 Puissance (high-jump)
• Saturday evening: $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix, WIHS Equitation Finals
• Friday/Saturday: WIHS Equitation Finals (hunter and jumper phases)
• Saturday: Kids' Day (10 am-2 pm) - free family-friendly event
• Sunday: Pony Hunters, Pony Equitation, WIHS Regional Hunter Finals 
  

For a daily schedule of events, see Event Schedule.

• Entertaining exhibitions
• Silent Auction
• Shopping in more than 40 specialty boutiques, many with an equestrian flair 

Tickets
Tickets go on sale August 1 and are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets also may be purchased in person at the Verizon Center Box Office. For information about Verizon Center accessible seating and services, call 202-661-5061 or 202-661-5065 (TTY).

Children 12 and under are admitted free to all daytime performances before 5pm courtesy of the Washington Area Chevy Dealers.

Groups: Organize a group outing to the show with your barn, club, team, school, church, or group of friends. For Group Ticket Sales, contact Verizon Center Group Sales Department at 202-661-5061. Group Sales can assist you with ticket discounts, special seating arrangements and personalized service.

Barn Night (Thursday) is a special group night with contests and prizes geared to groups with an equestrian focus.

Two performances daily except Sunday (ending times approximate). See Event Schedule for daily schedule of events. 

• Day (Tues-Sat): Tues: 7:00 am-5:00 pm
• Evening: (Tues-Sat): 7:00-10:00 pm 
• Sunday 7:00 am.-4:30 pm

Hospitality
Enjoy fine dining while you witness world class equestrian competition in one of the greatest cities in the world. The Fidelity Investments Club, the Washington International Club and the Acela Club all offer great food and wonderful views of the action in the ring! For more information about dining opportunities, contact Bridget Love Meehan at bridget@wihs.org or 202.525.3679

Special Historic Moments
Over the years, notable guests included Alice Roosevelt Longworth, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy, President Gerald R. Ford, General William Westmoreland, Christopher Reeve, John Cleese, Bruce Springsteen, William Shatner, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Arthur Godfrey and many more.

Show memories abound, including in 1970, a carriage marathon with horse-drawn vehicles parading to the White House to give Mrs. Nixon a carriage ride around the South Lawn of the Executive Mansion.

The standing North American indoor Puissance (high jump) record of 7 feet 7 1/2 inches was set at Washington in 1983 by Anthony D'Ambrosio and Sweet N' Low.

Leading horsemen and horsewomen inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame since it was established in 1997:  George H. Morris (1997), William C. Steinkraus (1998), Mrs. Jane Dillon (1999), Kenneth and Sallie Wheeler (2000), Austin H. Kiplinger (2001), H. Fenwick Kollock (2002), Sheila C. Johnson (2007), Miss Mignon C. Smith (2008), Betty Oare (2009) and Hermen Greenberg (2009).