44/ DECEMBER 2021 THE RIDER


Washington International Horse Show Plans to Return to the D.C. Area as a Five Star in 2022


Local Maryland Offi-


cials Support the Move with Major Investment in Prince George’s Equestrian Center


WASHINGTON – De- cember 9, 2021 – The board of directors of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) pre- sented by MARS Eques- trianTM is pleased to announce the storied and prestigious equestrian event has officially ap- plied to the USEF and FEI for a change of venue to return home to the greater Washington, D.C. area and to upgrade the show to the FEI 5* level, continuing as a member of the Longines FEI


Jumping World


CupTM North American League in 2022. This announcement


follows two highly un- usual but


successful


Prince George’s Eques- trian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md. The Show Place Arena will be trans- formed with the support of Prince George’s County, The Maryland- National Capital Park & Planning Commission, and the State of Mary- land to provide the out- standing exhibitor and unique spectator experi- ence WIHS has always provided,


including


world-class footing, hos- pitality, entertainment, food, and shopping. WIHS will partner with the popular National Har- bor waterfront complex in nearby Oxon Hill, Md., to create a WIHS Hotel and Hospitality Campus offering ex- hibitors, spectators, and sponsors special access to top lodging, entertain- ment, and community events,


money and a major com- mitment to delivering a world-class venue inside and out. “The Washington,


D.C. area is our heritage and our home,” contin- ued Lowell. “We have moved several times in the past from our original home in D.C. at The Ar- mory, to Landover, Md., to the Capital One Arena downtown. We believe Prince George’s Eques- trian Center is the right destination for us at this time.” Lowell added, “The


including the


enthusiastic and generous support of the Maryland Horse Industry Board and Angela D. Also- brooks, Prince George’s County Executive, pro- vides a wonderful foun- dation to build on for the future. Anticipated public investment in the facility coupled with community


WIHS is partnering with the popular National Harbor waterfront complex to create a WIHS Hotel and Hospitality Campus offering exhibitors, spectators, and sponsors special access to top lodging, entertainment, and community events, including the popular WIHS Kids’ Day. Photo courtesy of National Harbor


The return of WIHS


to the D.C. metro area signaled the commitment of Prince George’s County and Maryland


rector of the Maryland Horse Industry Board. “Maryland’s successful investment and staging of the inaugural Maryland 5 Star eventing competi- tion at Fair Hill, which drew more than 20,000 fans, is a prime example of local officials’ dedica- tion to horse sport. “In that endeavor,


George’s County, The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, and the State of Maryland to pro- vide an outstanding exhibitor and unique spectator experience including world-class footing, hospitality, entertain- ment, food, and shopping. Photo by Impact Media.


years when the show was temporarily


relocated


outdoors to the Tryon In- ternational Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., as a result of the Coronavirus pan- demic. The WIHS team expresses sincere appre- ciation to the WIHS sponsors and exhibitors as well as the TIEC team who were flexible and supportive of WIHS dur- ing this time of transition.


Exciting New Chapter Honoring WIHS His- tory and Traditions Pending FEI and


USEF final approval, the 64th edition of the his- toric competition will be held October 25-30 at The Show Place Arena at


popular WIHS Kids’ Day.


“We embarked on


an extensive, multi-year search for a new venue when we learned our spe- cial downtown home for nearly 20 years, Capital One Arena, would no longer be able to accom- modate the show,” said WIHS President Victoria Lowell. “We looked at every possible scenario in the D.C. area inside and outside of the city. We’re committed to cre- ating a special, one-of-a- kind, exhibitor- and horse-friendly indoor ex- perience at The Show Place Arena that honors the history and tradition of WIHS with signifi- cantly increased prize


outreach and engagement will ensure the special el- ements of WIHS thrive in our new location.” Continuing as a


member of the Longines FEI


Jumping World


Cup™ North American League, WIHS will offer not only increased prize money and ranking points throughout the in- ternational division, but the 2022 edition of WIHS will also see the return of the popular Ex- hibitors’ Lounge and VIP Dining Platform, in addi- tion to new hospitality opportunities and special events at National Har- bor.


Strong Support From Local Government


state officials as well as The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission to announce a significant investment toward improving The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Eques- trian Center to accommo- date the world-class horses and riders the show attracts. Among the expected upgrades are improved footing, up- dated and matted sta- bling,


a covered


schooling area, and over- all enhancements to im- prove the fan experience. “WIHS has a long


and revered history in the Washington, D.C., area, and we’re pleased it’s found a home with us in Maryland,” said Ross Peddicord, Executive Di-


The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center will be transformed with the support of Prince


we worked with county government and various state agencies and private donors to secure signifi- cant funding for infra- structure improvements and event operations,” continued Peddicord. “It is part of the Maryland Horse Park System plan, as outlined by the Mary- land Stadium Authority. That’s the game plan we are following here. We are extremely gratified that Prince George’s County government has already stepped up to get the ball rolling and to bring this world-class competition to their county. It will have an enormous economic and cultural impact.”


Maryland Horse Month WIHS will become


a major attraction during the month of October as Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has desig- nated October “Maryland Horse Month.” WIHS will be a highlight along with the Maryland 5 Star eventing competition tak- ing place October 13-16, 2022, at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone in Elkton, Md., and the Maryland Million horse race in Laurel, Md. WIHS will also bring back its popular Kids’ Day and continue to evolve its mission of ed- ucating and entertaining the community through equestrian sport within Prince George’s County


and the greater Washing- ton, D.C. area. “For more than 60


years, WIHS has been known for its unique ability to bring the joy of horses and jumping to spectators and fans in the D.C. region who other- wise may not have a chance to experience these wonderful ani- mals,” said Lowell. “The partnership with Mary- land and National Harbor coupled with exciting competition at the nearby Show Place Arena indoor complex will provide the best of both worlds for athletes, horses, and spectators alike.” “We are Prince


George’s Proud to wel- come the Washington In- ternational Horse Show to Prince George’s County, the Crown Jewel of Maryland,” said Prince George’s County Execu- tive Angela Alsobrooks. “We want to thank the WIHS Board of Directors for allowing our County and the State of Mary- land the opportunity to host


this world-class


event right here at our very own Show Place Arena. Prince George’s County has so many at- tractions, amenities, and entertainment options, so we are excited to wel- come visitors from across the globe to experience all that our County has to offer.”


Join Up for the WIHS 2022 Experience Everyone at WIHS


is excited about this new chapter in the history of the show and hopes that riders, trainers, owners, and equestrian fans will come experience WIHS at The Show Place Arena and at National Harbor in October 2022. Additional details will be announced


in the coming months. For updates about


WIHS 2022 and for more information about WIHS, please


visit


www.wihs.org, join them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter, Insta- gram, and YouTube.


About Maryland Horse Industry Board The Maryland


Horse Industry Board (MHIB) is a program in the Maryland Depart- ment of Agriculture that serves as a commodities board promoting all as- pects of the state’s $2.1 billion equine industry. MHIB develops projects to help spur economic development and particu- larly to initiate marketing efforts to help grow the recreational riding sector. The board also licenses and inspects nearly 800 commercial boarding, lesson, rental, and rescue stables. For more infor- mation, visit mda.mary- land.gov/horseboard.


About Washington In- ternational Horse Show Established in 1958,


the Washington Interna- tional Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious and entertain- ing equestrian events with competition for pro- fessionals, amateurs, jun- iors,


and children.


Highlights include the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washing- ton for the President’s Cup and the WIHS Equi- tation Finals plus com- munity and charity events. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competi- tion, is a 501(c)(3) non- profit


organization. For more information, wihs.org.


charitable visit


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