49th Annual WIHS Wrap-up
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Date Added: 10/26/2007
Top Competition Highlights 2007 WIHS
"From a competition point of view, this year's horse show was a tremendous success," said Susie Webb, WIHS executive director. "We had one of the most exciting Grand Prix jump-offs of the decade and very strong hunter fields. The WIHS Equitation Classic had top caliber competition and the High Performance Hunter Classic made an impressive debut. The shift in schedule affected the attendance slightly, but we expect a very strong showing next year when we return to our traditional dates to celebrate our 50th anniversary.
Canadian Jill Henselwood and Black Ice win Gerald R. Ford President's Cup Grand Prix
Once Canadian Jill Henselwood and Black Ice adjusted to the Verizon Center ring, nothing was going to stop them from capturing the show's grand prize. From a seventh-place finish on Thursday to a third on Friday, they were primed for a stellar finish in Saturday night's $100,000 Gerald R. Ford President's Cup Grand Prix. Of the 23 entries in the class, six went clear in the first round: Henselwood, Todd Minikus, Brianne Goutal, Ken Berkley, Karen Cudmore and Schuyler Riley. With an exhibition of blazing speed and accuracy, five of the six were clear in the jump-off with Henselwood finishing in 32.11 seconds, just beating Minikus and Olinda's time of 32.37, followed by Goutal (32.92), Berkeley (34.73), Cudmore (35.10) and Riley (8/35.24). This prize caps a great year for Henselwood, who in July rode Special Ed to win the individual gold and team silver medals at the Pan American Games in Brazil.
Presenting the trophy to Henselwood was President Ford's daughter, Susan Ford Bales, WIHS chairman Austin Kiplinger and WIHS president Jorge Carnicero.
Sheila C. Johnson joins WIHS Hall of Fame
In recognition of her unwavering support and leadership, the WIHS inducted Sheila C. Johnson into the Washington International Horse Show Hall of Fame during Saturday night's performance.
For almost a decade, Johnson has served as an exhibitor, generous sponsor and dedicated member of the board of directors. In her role as show president and chairman of the board, she guided the show through its move from US Air Arena to the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, DC. Johnson also brought renewed attention to the show through the introduction of innovative features and thrilling new classes.
Johnson joins a group of dedicated horsepeople, who have made a lasting impact on the Washington International Horse Show and equestrian sport in the U.S.: H. Fenwick Kollock (2002), Austin H. Kiplinger (2001), Kenneth & Sallie Wheeler (2000), Jane Dillon (1999), William C. Steinkraus (1998), and George H. Morris
Courtney King and Idocus sweep WIHS Dressage Invitational
Courtney King and Idocus easily won the $25,000 WIHS Dressage Invitational with an overall score of 72.796%, with victories in both the Grand Prix on Thursday night and the Musical Freestyle on Friday night. King and Idocus, a 17-year-old Dutch stallion owned by Christine McCarthy, are a familiar pair at Washington having finished second in last year's Invitational.
Jane Hannigan, of Harvard, MA, with her own Maksymilian placed second with 68.604%; Katherine Bateson-Chandler of Wellington, FL, and Rainier, owned by Jane Forbes Clark, placed third with 65.792%; and Cesar Parra of Whitehouse Station, NJ, riding ECU 8 owned by Dr. and Mrs. Jackson Morgan, finished fourth with 58.250%. Officiating were FEI judges Michael Poulin and Jeanne McDonald.
Charity Cup Classic nets $30,000 for local groups
WIHS show jumpers Hillary Dobbs, Addison Phillips, Schuyler Riley, Jill Henselwood, Laura Bowery, Jimmy Turano, Kim Prince, Danielle Turano, Michael Walton, Margie Engle, McLain Ward and Lauren Hough were placed in teams of two to jump for dollars for the six participating local non-profit organizations. The riders earned money for their groups based on points accumulated over a course of ten obstacles, each increasing in difficulty.
Phillips and Bowery had the best combined score, earning $10,000 for STEEED. Thorpewood received $7,500; Canine Companions for Independence, $5,000; Washington Humane Society, $4,000; Days End Farm Horse Rescue, $2,000 and Therapeutic and Recreational Riding Center, $1,500. On the equestrian side, the overall class winner was Hillary Dobbs riding Marengo.
Important Dates
* 50th Anniversary Washington International Horse Show, Oct. 21-26, 2008, Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
* WIHS Local Weekend, Oct. 17-19, 2008, Prince George's Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, MD
Contact Info
Sponsorship/Advertising: Susie Webb, Executive Director, WIHS, 301-987-9400, susie@wihs.org.
Public Relations/Media: Tracey Weinberg, Weinberg Harris & Associates, 410-243-1333, tweinberg@weinbergharris.com
Boutiques, Silent Auction: Ericka Schaefer, Administrative Director, WIHS, 301-987-9400, ericka@wihs.org
Acela Club Cafe: Patty Scuderi, Financial Director, WIHS, 301-987-9400, patty@wihs.org
General Information: 301-987-9400, info@wihs.org, or visit the WIHS Official Website
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