The 64th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) will make its highly anticipated return to the Washington, D.C. area from October 24 through 30, 2022. WIHS will showcase thrilling equestrian sport, entertaining exhibitions, and special events at two prominent venues: The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center (PGEC) in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and the National Harbor waterfront complex in Oxon Hill, Maryland. WIHS will welcome the best riders from around the world and across the nation, equestrian fans, and the local community to witness and engage in this year’s spectacular event.
Alden Corrigan Media
Top Athletes to Compete
WIHS has a distinguished history of hosting world-class show jumping competition. With its new FEI five-star designation, a stellar list of the world’s top riders and their horses from 10 countries are expected to compete in 2022. Athletes include Olympic medalists McLain Ward, Jessica Springsteen, Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington, and Rodrigo Pessoa, as well as last year’s grand prix winner Tiffany Foster of Canada. Fan favorites Margie Engle, Brian Moggre, and Aaron Vale will also be in attendance.
Shawn McMillen
The Main Events
Hunter, jumper and equitation classes will showcase top talent from juniors to amateurs and professionals. On Thursday, October 27, international jumping will debut with the $75,000 International Jumper FEI Welcome Stake. To wrap up the evening, athletes go wild with costumes for both horse and rider in the $37,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.
Friday, October 28, the three-phase WIHS Equitation Finals for junior riders commences with the Hunter Phase. In the evening, horse-and-rider combinations will test the crowd-favorite $25,000 International Jumper Puissance. The brave will jump the great wall until only one pair remains fault-free.
The WIHS Equitation Finals continue on Saturday, October 29, with the Jumping Phase in the afternoon, followed by the final work-off in the evening. And the night will be topped off with perhaps the grandest class of them all—the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup CSI5*-W.
To conclude the 2022 WIHS on Sunday, October 30, the WIHS Halloween Hunt Teams compete over fences in teams of three riders decked out in costume.
Shawn McMillen
More Than Competition
In addition to top competition, fans are encouraged to attend and take part in many of the long-standing, family-friendly evening traditions, events, and exhibitions, including WIHS Barn Night, WIHS Military Night, and World Cup Night.
The show’s new partnership with National Harbor also offers exhibitors, spectators, and sponsors special access to top lodging, entertainment, and community events, including the popular WIHS Kids’ Day presented by Delta Airlines.
About Washington International Horse Show
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious, competitive, and entertaining equestrian events with competition for international, professional, amateur, junior, and child riders. Highlights include the $406,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington for the President’s Cup presented by Experience Prince George’s, and the WIHS Equitation Finals and Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships, plus popular community and charity events, including Kids’ Day and Barn Night. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competition, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. For more information, visit wihs.org.
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Keep Up with the Washington International Horse Show
Follow along with Practical Horseman’s coverage of the 64th annual Washington International Horse Show on Practical Horseman’s website, Facebook and Instagram. Thank you to the sponsor of our coverage, Vita Flex Pro.
