Washington International Horse Show Sponsors are Vital to a Successful 2005 Competition

Wellington, FL- September 15- The 2005 Washington International Horse Show serves as one of the country’s most prestigious and competitive indoor equestrian events, with prominent riders, Olympic veterans, and superstar equines competing for top honors. Without the contribution of sponsors, this legendary event would not be possible.

The $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, scheduled for Saturday evening on October 29, 2005, remains a year end highlight for grand prix competitors and spectators. Co-sponsors Salamander Hospitality, LLC and RLJ Development contribute to an evening of exciting show jumping action in a race against the clock over huge obstacles for one of the sport’s ultimate titles.

Sponsors from the Washington D.C. area enhance the number of local spectators and add a special element of enthusiasm to riders who attend the Washington International Horse Show. The Washington Mystics Basketball Team will provide a “Mystics Family Fun Day Performance,” and non-equestrian companies such as MasterfoodsUSA, Potomac Valley Builders, and USTrust will offer their contributions as well.

Sponsorships reveal the intricacies of managing an event such as the Washington International Horse Show and the thorough planning necessary to create a successful competition. Wristbands, provided by Salamander Resort & Spa, and Legg Mason Funds’ donation of Ring Crew uniforms are just a few of the details that demonstrate the level of professionalism required for such a prestigious show. Companies such as Pennfield Feeds, Washington International Horse Show’s Official Feed Company, will provide hay and grain to all horses in attendance.

“The Washington International Horse Show is a special place to me for a number of reasons,” commented Bill Poe of Pennfield Feeds. “I showed there when I was a kid, and I attend every year. This year will be the ten year anniversary of my first date with my wife,” he said with a smile. “We had our first date at the big grand prix and had dinner at the black tie party there. I still have the ticket stub! We even raced a terrier that night. I come back for the memories, and I’m proud to support the industry.”

An Exhibitor’s Lounge Breakfast, courtesy of EMO Insurance Agency, Inc., and lunches in the lounge, sponsored by ITS Industries, offer good food and a chance to relax for exhibitors at the MCI Center. The Grooms Award, sponsored by Horse Watch, honors those who work hard behind the scene to prepare their multi-million dollar horses for competition.

Special trophies awarded at the Washington International Horse Show include: Style of Riding Award, sponsored by Shalanno Farm, Best Child Rider on a Pony Award, provided by Linda C. Dickinson, and Best Child Rider on a Horse, courtesy of the Keshishian Family. Tad Coffin Performance Saddles sponsors the Equitation Classic, and the Leading Hunter Rider Award will be awarded by sponsors Mr. and Mrs. David Pollin. Ernie and Betty Oare sponsor the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter Rider Award.

Along with individual trophies, sponsors play a key role in supporting horse show divisions and classes. In the jumper classes, Monarch International and Show Circuit Magazine sponsor the President’s Cup Qualifier. Another Open Jumper feature will be presented by the Braun Family.

The Hunter divisions receive support from Stadium Jumping, Inc. for the A/O Hunter Division, Newstead Farm for the Amateur-Owner Over 35 Hunter Division, and Pat Carleton and Lake Placid Horse Shows for the Junior Hunter classes. Chris Rogers and Hillary Stiff will sponsor the Second Year Green Working Hunters, while Lilly Elizabeth and Stella Gray Pollin will present the Grand Champion Pony Hunter Award.

Gotham North’s Georgina Bloomberg commented on their sponsorship of the Small Pony Hunter Division, “We sponsor the Small Pony classes because we think it’s important to contribute to the younger competitors. I started off in pony classes, and it’s nice to help others who are starting in the same way. The Washington International Horse Show has a ton of potential, and Sheila Johnson does a great job of bringing in fans and raising awareness of the sport. There are not many shows like this in the United States.”

The WIHS Childrens &Adult Hunter Finals, sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Austin Kiplinger, will honor those who take the top awards, and Arwen Stables sponsor the Large Junior Hunter (16-17) Division.

Stephanie Simmonds, a representative of Arwen Stables, remarked, “We love the Washington show and are happy to sponsor a hunter division. Normally we attend every year, but we unfortunately cannot make it this fall. Since we can’t participate in the show, we felt it would be a great idea to contribute through sponsorship.”

Mignon C. Smith supports and sponsors the international riders in attendance, and the Tack Box, Inc. sponsors the Local Weekend Competition scheduled to run at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland the weekend of October 21-23, 2005.

Danielle Santos from the Tack Box, Inc. reported, “We are so proud to contribute to such a great show that’s basically in our back yard. We like to support our local competitors who are participating at Local Weekend and those going on to the MCI Center.”

Other sponsors include: J. Aron Charitable Foundation, Tara Management, JPC Equestrian, S. Craig & Frances Lindner, Phillips Family Foundation, Rill & Decker, Tony Weight, Delaware Park Racing Association, and McGuire Woods, LLP. The equestrian community, the management, and the WIHS Board of Directors salute the sponsors of the Washington International Horse Show who greatly contribute to the success of such a preeminent equestrian event.To find out more about our sponsors and the Washington International Horse Show, please visit the website www.wihs.org.

PHOTO CREDIT: Gotham North’s Georgina Bloomberg sponsors the Small Pony Division and competes at Washington International Horse Show PHOTO BY: Charlie Mann Photography©