Horsesdaily News: Washington International Horse Show Introduces AOL.com Night

Washington International Horse Show Introduces AOL.com Night

Barrel Racing action will happen on AOL.com Night on Friday, October 28, at the 2005 Washington International Horse Show. Last year Olympic Veteran Todd Minikus tested his skills in the fast paced sport. PHOTO BY: ©Al Cook Photography Wellington, FL- September 24- 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 and fabulous prize money. The annual International Open Jumper Puissance competition, held this year on Friday evening, October 28, 2005, fills the MCI Center stands and serves as one of the nation’s most notable and exciting equestrian traditions.

The Washington International Horse Show is proud to announce that Friday night’s performance and puissance will be sponsored by the internet provider America Online. AOL.com Night begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes an Open Jumper Accumulator Class, terrier races, barrel racing, the WIHS Invitational Dressage Freestyle event, and the International Open Jumper AOL.com Puissance.

The puissance class is also known as the horse “High Jump,” awarding first place to the horse and rider combination that clears the massive brick wall with the greatest height.

Mark Leone and Ri-Arm Farm, Inc.’s Diamond Safari in the 2004 WIHS Puissance PHOTO BY: ©Al Cook Photography In 2004, Mark Leone and his mount Diamond Safari triumphed in the Puissance over a wall standing 6’8’’ high. Diamond Safari is owned by Ri-Arm Farm, Inc. of Franklin Lakes, NJ. Three combinations tied for second place over a fence height of 6’1’’: Jimmy Torano and his mount Aguila, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc., Elisa Shapiro’s horse Haiti Du Serein and Callan Solem, and Aaron Vale with the Town Creek Investments owned Ratina 79.

At this year’s AOL.com Puissance, riders will bid to break the puissance record of 7’ 71/2” set by Anthony D’Ambrosio in 1983.

“We are very excited to be part of the Washington International Horse Show,” reported J. D. Ettore, the Director of National Brand Marketing for AOL. “The primary reason AOL chose to participate this year is because we felt our sponsorship at the horse show would be a great way to give back to the DC community along with supporting some very worthy local and national charities. AOL is proud to be affiliated with Sheila Johnson, her team, and this prestigious event that has been a D.C. tradition since 1958.”

America Online is an internet service provider that has grown to serve a community of nearly 29 million members worldwide. Pioneers in online communication, AOL started 20 years ago and has built the largest and most-engaged audience in the online world that spans across all connection types, including dial-up, broadband, and wireless.

For more information on the internet service provider America Online, please visit www.aol.com.

To find out more about the Washington International Horse Show, please visit their official website at www.wihs.org.

Article Written By: Jenny Ross of PMG
Photo Credits: Barrel Racing action will happen on AOL.com Night on Friday, October 28, at the 2005 Washington International Horse Show. Last year Olympic Veteran Todd Minikus tested his skills in the fast paced sport. PHOTO BY: ©Al Cook Photography
Mark Leone and Ri-Arm Farm, Inc.’s Diamond Safari in the 2004 WIHS Puissance PHOTO BY: ©Al Cook Photography