An Eventful Washington International Horse Show (photos)
By • October 31, 2017 0 1600
Boasting more than 500 of the top national and international horses and riders competing for prize money totaling over half a million dollars, the Washington International Horse Show ranks as one of the most prestigious equestrian sporting events in North America. The 59th annual edition of the WIHS got underway on Tuesday, Oct. 24, and wrapped up on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Capital One Arena (formerly the Verizon Center) in Washington, D.C.
The WIHS holds a prestigious four-star rating from the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for all Olympic equestrian disciplines. Winning riders earn valuable points to qualify for the World Cup Final next April in Paris, France. This year’s all-star lineup featured eight members of the United States Equestrian Federation Show Jumping Team, including the world’s top two Longines FEI World ranked riders, Kent Farrington and McLain Ward.
Beat Mändli of Switzerland made his first visit to the Washington International Horse Show a success by winning the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington on Saturday night. Earlier that evening, Taylor St. Jacques of Glen Allen, Virginia, was declared the winner of the in the 2017 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals over 39 other competitors.
In Friday’s main event, Aaron Vale, aboard Finou, cleared a 6-foot-7-inch wall to win the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance. Vale was co-winner of the event a year ago. Earlier that day, McLain Ward retired his longtime mount, 15-year-old HH Carlos Z, with a victory in the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final.
Thursday was the popular “Barn Night” when, in deference to the season, riders competed in costume. Mändli, riding as Count Dracula, flashed the fastest time, while Kama Godek won a bonus with her appealing scarecrow outfit, replete with fake arms.
Riding legend Kathy Kusner was inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame in a special ceremony. Kusner, 77, was one of the first women to ride for the United States Equestrian Team, the first licensed female jockey and the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in equestrian competition.
View Jeff Malet’s photos from the 2017 Washington International Horse Show by clicking on the photo icons below.
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- Beat Mändli of Switzerland, aboard Dsarie, won the featured event, the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington, on Oct. 28 at the 59th annual Washington International Horse Show. Photo by Jeff Malet.
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- Aaron Vale (USA) aboard Finou in photo clears 6’7″ to win the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance at the 59th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Friday.
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- Alison Robitaille aboard her horse Ace competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Peter Lutz aboard Robin de Ponthual competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Hunter Holloway, on Cassevel, dressed as Dorothy from the “Wizard of Oz”, competes in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class
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- Andrew Ramsay aboard California 62, competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup (1.60m) at the 59th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Saturday
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- Members of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Show Jumping Team make an appearance at the WIHS on Saturday
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- Ringmaster Ed Nowak of Taunton, Mass. poses with his brass horn.
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- McKayla Langmeier rode to 2nd place aboard Skyfall at the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Washington International Horse Show Equitation Final on Saturday
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- Taylor St. Jacques rode to first place aboard Di Samorano at the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Washington International Horse Show Equitation Final on Saturday
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- Shetland Pony races provide entertainment at the 59th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) on Saturday
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- Callan Solem aboard VDL Wizard competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Aaron Vale aboard Finou competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Charlie Jacobs aboard Cassinja S competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Shetland Pony races provide entertainment on Barn Night at the WIHS on Wedesday
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- Beat Mandli (Switzerland) aboard Dsarie wins the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Kathy Kusner was inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame on Friday. Kusner (age 77) was one of the first woman who rode for the United States Equestrian Team (USET), the first licensed female jockey, and the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in equestrian competition.
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- Kent Farrington, the Longines FEI World Number One ranked rider, aboard Creedance, competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- McLain Ward, the Longines FEI World Number Two ranked rider, aboard HH Callas, finished second for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Shane Sweetnam (Ireland) aboard Main Road, competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Amanda Derbyshire aboard Luibanta BH competes for the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Award Ceremony and the Swiss National Anthem for Beat Mandli who aboard Dsarie won the $130,000 Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Washington for the President’s Cup
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- Kama Godek (USA) aboard De Grande in photo clears 5’9″ in the $25,000 International Jumper Puissance
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- Mariah (age 9) was among the kids participating in the Shetland Pony Steeplechase
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- McLain Ward, dressed as Spiderman, gets ready to compete in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class (1.45m)
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- Devin Ryan, dressed as Washington Nationals baseball star Bryce Harper; and Kama Godek who won a special bonus for her scarecrow costume, get ready to compete in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class
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- Laura Kraut on Whitney, dresses as Minnie Mouse, competes in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class
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- Kama Godek aboard De Grande, won a special bonus for her scarecrow costume in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class
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- Shane Sweetnam, dressed as the shark from Jaws, competes in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume ClassShane Sweetnam, dressed as a shark, ge competes in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class (1.45m)
