Jill MedingerThe countdown is on for the start of the Washington International Horse Show presented by MARS Equestrian™. WIHS will take place once again at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., to ensure a safe and successful event amid COVID-19, before returning home to the Washington, D.C. area in 2022.
Beginning Tuesday, October 26, and running through Sunday, October 31, WIHS will showcase the country’s top hunter, jumper, and equitation talent with six days and three nights of competition, but in a departure from the usual format, it will take place in two rings rather than one—Tryon Stadium and the Grand Hunter Ring—and will offer more classes and increased prize money.
Photo by Jump Media.
Watch In Person and Online
While fans will be welcome free of charge at Tryon, those not able to make the trip can cheer on their friends and favorite riders on the WIHS Live Stream presented by MARS Equestrian™ on USEF Network and FEI TV. Both rings will be streamed live.
New Events for Exhibitors and Spectators, Plus VIP Hospitality
New this year for WIHS junior and amateur competitors is a full Medium Junior/Amateur Jumper division, as well as Welcome classes for all Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper riders.
The highlight class of the week, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI4*-W for the President’s Cup presented by MARS Equestrian™, will offer the largest purse in its history at $215,000. The $404,500 FEI division also includes Thursday’s Accumulator and Welcome Stake, and Friday’s Speed Final and Puissance.
Leigh Nanda and El Casper were the 2020 WIHS Children’s Jumper Champions. Photo by Jump Media. 
Lillie Keenan and Fasther. Photo by Jump Media. 
The late John Franzreb III left a lasting impression on so many WIHS competitors over the years. Photo by Jump Media. 
Lindsey Tomeu and Bonapart clinched the win in the 2020 WIHS Adult Jumper championship. Photo by Jump Media. 
Margaret Stell and Clever were 2020 WIHS Children’s Hunter champions. Photo by Jump Media. 
Mattie Worsham and Scout were the 2020 WIHS Adult Hunter champions. Photo by Jump Media. 
McKayla Brombach and California Dreamin’ took the top spot in the 2020 WIHS Pony Equitation Finals. Photo by Jump Media. 
Tessa Brown rode Davide to the top spot in the 2020 WIHS Equitation Finals. Photo by Jump Media.
Increased FEI ranking points will be offered and 50 international riders will be accepted to guarantee excitement in daytime and classes under the lights in Tryon Stadium.
If you do make it there in person, you can enjoy both VIP hospitality and shopping. There is always the option to shop online, too!
Equitation’s Best of the Best
The three-phase WIHS Equitation Finals and the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals presented by Huntland have long been a cornerstone of the horse show. This year, riders qualified for the WIHS Equitation Finals will be judged by Molly Ashe-Cawley, Ralph Caristo, Callan Solem, and Sissy Wickes.
In addition, WIHS Equitation Finals riders are eligible for the new WIHS Equitation Sportsmanship Award presented by Hollow Brook Wealth Management. This special award will recognize the rider who best personifies the highest standards of integrity, sportsmanship, honor, kindness, and generosity during the WIHS Equitation Finals.
Treasured Traditions With a Twist
The final day of show week falls on Halloween and will feature the new WIHS Halloween Hunt Teams for pony hunter riders, with teams of three going all out with costumes for both ponies and riders.
Whether in person or following along from home this year, WIHS has an impressive lineup of classes, events, and entertainment for everyone.
For the full 2021 WIHS schedule, visit: https://wihs.org/event-schedule/