Many of the premier riders in show jumping — along with the young stars of the future — gathered for the 61st annual Washington International Horse Show, held at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., between Oct. 22 and 27. More than 500 top national and international horses and riders participated in the event.
On Saturday, Oct. 26, Olympian gold medalist Laura Kraut, riding Fleurette, jumped to victory in the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup, in what was the sport’s equivalent to a photo finish. Kraut was scheduled to be the last to jump in a field of 30 riders. Among those who preceded her, only Andrew Welles, on Primo Troy, cleared all 15 jumps on the challenging course. Welles would be the winner if Kraut faltered just once. But Kraut was perfect, eliciting a great cheer from the large crowd.
In the jump-off to decide the winner, Welles ran into trouble when his his horse stopped ahead of one of the jumps. Welles finished the course, but accumulated 12 faults in a time of 45.69 seconds.
Knowing the score to beat, Kraut coasted to victory with four faults and a time of 40.99. For her achievement, Kraut was presented with “The President of the United States Perpetual Cup,” donated by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. Among her many achievements, Kraut had never won this event despite many tries. She first competed at WIHS in 1978 in the pony hunter division.
Earlier that evening, Sam Walker of Canada, riding Waldo, won the championship ribbon in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Final. Walker led the multifaceted competion from start to finish.
On Friday night, Oct. 25, the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance resulted in a tie, with both Aaron Vale, on Finou 4, and Schuyler Riley, on Very Chic Du Tillard, clearing the 6-foot-9-inch height. Vale had won the event outright the prior three years.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli rider Sydney Shulman, 24, of Greenwich, Connecticut, topped the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final on Villamoura. Shulman was a repeat winner at WIHS, coming in first the night before in the $36,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class. Kristen Vanderveen, riding Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, earned the Best Costume Award, dressed as Cruella de Ville from Disney’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”
Also on Saturday, U.S. Equestrian Chef d’Équipe Robert Ridland was inducted into the WIHS Hall of Fame. In addition to a successful riding career, Ridland has been extensively involved in the governance of the sport. He twice won the Course Designer of the Year Award while building the courses for the U.S. Olympic Trials and numerous international competitions, and has appeared on television as color analyst at the Olympics.
View Jeff Malet’s photos from the 61st Washington International Horse Show by clicking the photo icons below.
Natalie Dean as a spaceperson. Soon to compete in the $36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class. (photo by Jeff Malet)
On Saturday, US Equestrian Chef dÕquipe/Technical Advisor Robert Ridland was inducted Into the WIHS Hall of Fame.Ê (photo by Jeff Malet)
Thursday was the popular Barn Night. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Members of the Junior Committee. This innovative program, now in its 10th year, is an opportunity for Washington-area teens to be a part of the inner workings of the Washington International Horse Show. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Darragh Kenny, wearing Olympic outfit; Catherine Tyree was Dorothy; Sydney Shulman as Pokemon would win the event. Soon to compete in the $36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Adrienne Sternlicht dressed as a handmaid from The Handmaid’s Tale competes in the $36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Schuyler Riley on Very Chic Du Tillard ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Katie Dinan and Brego R’N B as a giraffe. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Adrienne Sternlicht dressed as a handmaid from The Handmaid’s Tale with Fantast competes in the $36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Catherine Tyree was Dorothy with her lion, Catungee. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Beat Mandli and Galan S ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Darragh Kenny and Billy Dorito from the Fliintstones. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Darragh Kenny and Billy Dorito, wearing future Olympic Gold Medals. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
“Cowboy” Cormac Hanley riding Copain Z. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Natalie Dean and Ceitasi are blasting off. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Sydney Shulman won the event as Pokemon with Villamoura. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Andy Kocher on Cat Ninja. Naturally dressed as a cat ninja. ($36,000 Accumulator 1.45-meter costume class.) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Dressed as Cruella de Ville from Disney’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians,” Kristen Vanderveen, riding Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili, earned the Best Costume Award in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class. Photo by Jeff Malet.
DARRAGH KENNY on BILLY DORITO at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
ANDREW KOCHER on CAT NINJA at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL) on DELEYN at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Kristen Vanderveen riding Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
DEVIN RYAN on COOPER at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
AARON VALE on MAJOR at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT on FANTAST at the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final (1.50m) (photo by Jeff Malet)
Israeli rider Sydney Shulman of Greenwich, CT, topped the $50,000 International Jumper Speed Final on Villamoura (photo by Jeff Malet)
WIHS Official Military Charity Partner TAPS: Caring for the Families of the Fallen. (photo by Jeff Malet)
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps (photo by Jeff Malet)
Barrel racing is a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Jaime Fowler participates in barrel racing, a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Alexandra Prymek of the U.S. Air Force participates in barrel racing, a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to complete a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time. (photo by Jeff Malet)
JORDAN COYLE on DUNDALK successfully leaps 6Õ3? in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance. (photo by Jeff Malet)
JACK TOWELL on Joli Jumper successfully leaps 6Õ3″ (photo by Jeff Malet)
Aaron Vale and Finou 4 one of 2 jumpers to clear the 6’9″ height. (photo by Jeff Malet)
JORDAN COYLE on DUNDALK tries but misses on the 6’9″ height. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Schuyler Riley on Very Chic Du Tillard clearing the 6’9″ height in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Aaron Vale and Finou 4 one of 2 jumpers to clear the 6’9″ height, misses at 6’11”. He ties with Schuyler Riley who also missed at this height in the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance . (photo by Jeff Malet)
Sam Walker of Canada won the championship ribbon in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Final. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Raines Gammon, age 9, riding Quick Draw McGraw wins the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Series (photo by Jeff Malet)
BRIANNE GOUTAL MARTEAU on VIVA COLUMBIA for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
SAVANNAH JENKINS on QUINTANA 11 for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
AARON VALE on MAJOR for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
ADRIENNE STERNLICHT on TOULAGO for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
MARGIE GOLDSTEIN-ENGLE on DICAS for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
BRIAN MOGGRE on MTM Vivre le Reve for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
AMANDA DERBYSHIRE (UK) on CORNWALL BH for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
DARRAGH on CLASSIC DREAM for the President’s Cup (photo by Jeff Malet).
CATHERINE TYREE on ENJOY LOUIS for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
KENT FARRINGTON on CREEDANCE for the President’s Cup (photo by Jeff Malet).
Jordan Coyle and Eristov for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
SHANE SWEETNAM (IRL) on CHAQUI Z for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Kristen Vanderveen riding Bull Run’s Faustino de Tili for the President’s Cup. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Laura Kraut, riding Fleurette, jumped to victory in the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cupª. (photo by Jeff Malet)
In the jump-off to decide the winner, Andrew Welles ran into trouble when his his horse halted ahead of one of the jumps. (photo by Jeff Malet)
Laura Kraut, riding Fleurette, jumped to victory in the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cupª. (photo by Jeff Malet)