2009 Washington International Horse Show Welcomes Horses to Downtown Washington D.C.’s Verizon Center

Washington, D.C. – October 19, 2009 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) at Verizon Center in Washington D.C. will be held from October 20-25, 2009. This event serves as one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive indoor equestrian events, with prominent riders, Olympic gold medalists, and superstar equines competing for top honors and fabulous prize money. The first horses were transported into downtown Washington D.C. today to prepare for competition that begins tomorrow morning.

Inside Scoop traveled from Canby, OR, to compete in the professional hunter divisions. He is shown here with Sandy Ferrell, one of the top hunter riders in the nation. Also on the first trailer in was San Marino, who came with rider Jack Hammond from Seattle, WA. He is shown leaving the trailer with horse shipper DJ Johnson. San Marino will compete in the Second Year Green Hunters. This is Hammond’s second time competing at the WIHS, but it is his first time coming to Verizon Center.

Competition begins tomorrow morning at 7 a.m. with the Regular Conformation Hunters and will continue through the afternoon with professional hunters and two divisions of amateur-owner hunters. The evening session begins at 6:30 p.m. with the Children’s Hunter Championships and finishes with the Adult Hunter Championships.

For more on the WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

2009 Washington International Horse Show Fast Facts

What 51st Annual Washington International Horse Show

When October 20-25, 2009

Why 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 brings top horses and riders from the U.S. and abroad, including Olympic champions, to the nation’s capital to compete for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. About 500 horses will participate in show jumping, hunters and equitation events during the six-day show. Plus special horse exhibitions, shopping in more than 50 specialty boutiques and a new event this year, Washington’s World of the Horse on Sunday afternoon, will round out this family-friendly show.

WIHS, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is proud to partner for the third year with Autism Speaks, and new this year, Equestrian Aid Foundation and Horses and Humans Research Foundation.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a popular Washington D.C. fixture visited by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages.

Where Verizon Center, 601 F Street, NW (7th and F Streets, NW), Washington, D.C., home of the Washington International Horse Show since 2000, as well as professional and college sports teams including the NBA Wizards, the NHL Capitals, the WNBA Mystics and the Georgetown Hoyas, concerts, family shows and sporting events.

How To Get There Take Metrorail or Metrobus to Gallery Place-Chinatown for an easy trip to the show.

2009 Highlights Tuesday evening: Opening Night Gala Honoring Amateur Riders, for the benefit of Equestrian Aid Foundation Thursday evening: $20,000 Gamblers Choice Costume Class! Thursday Evening: Celebrity Hunt Teams Friday evening: $25,000 Puissance (high-jump) Saturday evening: $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix Friday/Saturday: WIHS Equitation Finals New! Sunday afternoon, approx. 1:00 P.M. Washington’s World of the Horse, a celebration of horses in all their beauty and variety, a 90-minute equine extravaganza-dressage, driving, reining, Saddlebreds, jumping, barrel racing, vaulting and lots more! Plus: . Jack Russell Terrier Races (Thurs., Fri., Sat. evenings, Sun. afternoon)

. Circus performer Caroline Williams combines artistry and skill to guide her Paint using yards of chiffon as reins! (Thurs., Fri., Sat. evenings, Sun. afternoon). . Animal Planet pet trainer and star of SuperFetch Zak George and his dog, Venus, perform amazing tricks on Friday and Saturday evenings.

2009 WIHS Hall of Fame Inductees . Betty Oare, Warrenton, VA . Hermen Greenberg, Middleburg, VA and Washington, DC Some of the finest horsemen and horsewomen in the country have been name to the WIHS Hall of Fame since the award 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) and Miss Mignon C. Smith (2008.)

Tickets Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 202-397-SEAT. They also are available in person at Verizon Center Box Office.

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

Two performances daily except Sunday

Day (Tues-Sat): 7:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M

Evening: (Tues-Sat): 7:00-10:30 P.M. (ending times approx.)

Sunday 7:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M (Washington’s World of the Horse starts at approx. 1:00 P.M.)

Special Historical Moments Over the years, notable guests included Alice Roosevelt Langford, 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.