New Heights
N Robert Ridland and David Distler take over
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Washington International Management
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by Kristin Kenney
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Well known West Coast equestrian the job immense experience as an eastern shows, including the Devon
Robert Ridland will venture east this Olympian, course designer, com- Horse Show and the National Horse
G fall to co-manage the Washington In- mentator and technical delegate. Show at Madison Square Garden.
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ternational Horse Show, with David Distler, who is based in Norwalk, As the show approaches, Ridland
Distler sharing the duties. The Wash- CT, has himself managed a number says that he and Distler “out of
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ington International Horse Show is of national and international necessity, we won’t be making a
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one of the oldest horse shows in the competitions and is an FEI jumper great deal of substantial changes.
country and with that distinction We’re just going to try and tighten
comes years of experience, tradi- everything up.” He noted that the
tion and excellent events. show has been well-managed for
Ridland explained that he and the last 13 years and for now they
Distler have extensive familiarity simply want to keep its charm and
with this type of competition and tradition intact, especially for this
are used to managing and running monumental year. “The show is
such huge shows. Still, despite their very prestigious,” Ridland says, “if
experience and presence at major we do a good job, it’ll be a good
horse shows, Ridland admits that thing for us.”
he was surprised when he was con- As for the future of the show,
tacted and asked to manage the Ridland again stresses that while
show. “I’m honored to have been he sees eventual changes for the
chosen,” he said, especially since show, he really wants to maintain,
“we’re a West Coast based compa- and is committed to, its unique
ny. The first thing I did was contact atmosphere. Unlike most shows
Distler, together we are a great team across the nation, the Washington
and bring different viewpoints. ” International is a huge spectator
Both men certainly are extremely event, with a number of special
busy with their own careers and the classes and events geared toward
shows they individually manage. drawing in people to watch and
When asked what managing the enjoy.
Washington International would do Overall, Ridland explains that
for their careers, Ridland was quick he and Distler “need to make sure
to say that neither he nor Distler everyone is on board in keeping
“did it for career enhancement. It the show up to date and truly
only adds to our busy schedules, being an event.” If their previous
but we are honored to accept this competitions and experience
position together.” give any clue, the Washington
Ridland, of Irvine, CA, runs the International should be a superbly
show management company Blen- crafted and exciting event.
heim EquiSports, which produces This year, while the show
over 40 shows each year. The com- celebrates its 50th anniversary, in
pany has “run the gamut from local its uniqueness and pageantry it will
shows to the FEI World Cup Finals continue to be a fine an equestrian
in Las Vegas,” Ridland says, adding judge. He brings East Coast experience competition as one of the top shows
that he can appreciate all aspects of to the Washington International, as in the nation.
managing such shows. He brings to he has managed almost all the big
Top to bottom: David Distler ; Robert Ridland. ( Photos © Kenneth Kraus - PhelpsSports.com)
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