2011 Event Schedule
53rd Annual Washington International Horse Show

The horse show kicks off with the top professional riders with their hunter mounts. For some horses, it will be their first time in the arena. Riders have campaigned all year to qualify for WIHS and will be in top form.

• Regular Conformation Hunter
• Green Conformation Hunter
• First-Year Green Hunter
• Second-Year Green Hunter
• High Performance Working Hunter
• Amateur-Owner Hunter (35 & Under)
• Amateur-Owner Hunter (Over 35)

Tuesday evening showcases WIHS Children and Adult hunter riders. Only the top horse and rider combinations qualify to compete, so these riders are the best of the best of their divisions. (Riders compete year round for a chance to show at Verizon Center.)

• Opening Ceremonies
• WIHS Children's Hunter Championship
• WIHS Adult Hunter Championship

Professional and amateur riders finish their divisions with a “stake” class, meaning it offers a larger purse. Late in the afternoon is the first show jumping class, the WIHS Children Jumper Championship, where riders under 18 years of age will have their chance to win their share of $10,000.

• Second-Year Green Hunter
• Green Conformation Hunter
• First-Year Green Hunter
• High Performance Working Hunter
• Regular Conformation Hunter
• Amateur-Owner Hunter (35 & Under)
• Amateur-Owner Hunter (Over 35)
• WIHS Children's Jumper Championship

Show jumping is the name of the game tonight. Adult riders jump for their championship title. Plus, the top national and international show jumpers compete in their first class of the week that is judged on speed.

• Opening Ceremonies
• WIHS Adult Jumper Championship
• $10,000 Open Jumper Competition

Thursday is all about junior riders, or those under 18 years of age. Early in the morning they will compete on hunters, while in the afternoon they will compete on jumpers where the fences can reach up to 4’6”

• Small Junior Hunter (15 & Under)
• Large Junior Hunter (15 & Under)
• Small Junior Hunter (16-17)
• Large Junior Hunter (16-17)
• Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper
• High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper
• $31,000 Open Jumper

Thursday night is Barn Night and one of the biggest crowd pleasers! In honor of Halloween, top show jumpers will compete in full costume! Barn Night events begin at 6:00 pm on the concourse.

• Barn Night
• Opening Ceremonies
• High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper
• Mutton Bustin'
• $20,000 Open Jumper Gambler’s Choice Costume Class
• Autograph Signing 

Friday offers a mix of classes. A spectator today will be able to see a variety of hunter and show jumping classes with riders of all ages.

• Small Junior Hunter (15 and Under)
• Large Junior Hunter (15 and Under)
• Small Junior Hunter (16-17)
• Large Junior Hunter (16-17)
• WIHS Equitation Classic (Hunter Phase)
• Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper 
• High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper 
• $10,000 International Open Jumper

Friday night features the Puissance. Horses will jump the great wall until only one horse remains without knocking it down. The Washington International is the only remaining show in the US to offer this class. The record to beat is 7’ 7-1/2,” set at Washington in 1986.

• Opening Ceremonies
• $31,000 Open Jumper  
• Terrier Races
• Chester Weber Four-in-Hand Driving 
• $25,000 Puissance (high jump) for Armed Forces Cup 

Ponies! Lots of ponies! The best young riders compete today in their divisions! Some riders are even under ten years of age. Later in the day, junior and amateur riders finish their divisions in the jumpers. (Free Kids’ Day activities take place from 10 am-2 pm outside the arena. No ticket needed.

• Small Pony Conformation Hunter
• Medium Pony Conformation Hunter
• Large Pony Conformation Hunter
• Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic - Senators Cup (TFJO)
• SHF High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic - Ambassadors Cup 
• WIHS Equitation Classic (Jumper Phase)
• KIDS' DAY 10am - 2pm: in tent outside Verizon Center

You may spot a future Olympian among the riders in the WIHS Equitation Classic Finals, where the top junior riders compete for the championship. Show jumping culminates with the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix. This class will have the biggest jumps of all the classes and attracts the top horses and riders, including Olympic veterans. Riders will also gain valuable points to qualify for the World Cup Finals in April.

• Opening Ceremonies
• WIHS Equitation Classic Final (Work-off)
• Caisson Platoon Exhibition
• Terrier Races
• Chester Weber Four-in-Hand Driving
• $100,000 President's Cup Grand Prix

Sunday offers more ponies. Plus, local riders on both horses and ponies that qualified to compete at WIHS Regional Show will get the chance to compete in the big arena.

• Small Pony Hunter
• Medium Pony Hunter
• Large Pony Hunter
• WIHS Pony Equitation Finals 
• WIHS Regional Hunter Finals (Ponies)
• WIHS Regional Hunter Finals (Horses)

Planning to attend for the complete show week? Save money with an anytime package!