The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is one of America's most elite horse shows, founded in 1958. The event took place every October for more than 20 years in the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. for two decades. The 2022 event took place at The Show Place Arena , in neighboring Prince George's County, Maryland . The event is highlighted by international level show jumping , top show hunters , and two equitation championships. The event is currently ranked as a CSI-5*-W International show jumping event, as well as a USEF Premier Hunter and USEF 6* Jumper show.
17-488: The Washington International Horse Show was founded in 1958 and quickly became a prestigious event for riders of all ages. Over the years, many breeds and disciplines participated including Arabians, Cutting, Dressage, Walkers, Quarter Horses and Hunter/Jumper. Additionally, the show was featured in the movie The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit in which scenes were filmed at the show, and premiered in 1968. Due to
34-406: A Lakeville, Connecticut widower living beyond his means, is beset by two major problems. His boss has instructed him to devise an original campaign in just 24 hours to promote their client Allied Drug & Food's over-the-counter indigestion medication , Aspercel. Allied's chairman Tom Dugan wants a " jet set " appeal campaign that will "give sour stomachs class and dignity". Fred's other problem
51-471: A successful Wall Street stock brokerage firm he founded in 1888. Eric was the younger brother of biographer, Alden Hatch . Boucher and McComas praised his 1950 fantasy The Beautiful Bequest , saying it had "the zestful appeal of a good novel from the lamented Unknown ." Eric Hatch died in Torrington, Connecticut at age seventy-one. This article about an American screenwriter born in
68-552: A work-off round. The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit is a 1968 American comedy film directed by Norman Tokar , with a screenplay by Louis Pelletier , and starring Dean Jones , Diane Baker , Ellen Janov, Kurt Russell , Lurene Tuttle and Fred Clark in his final film role. It is based on the 1965 book The Year of the Horse by Eric Hatch . The film's title
85-672: Is a humorous reference to the titular horse's color and the title of the 1955 Sloan Wilson novel (and 1956 film ) about the American search for purpose in a world dominated by business, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit . The film was paired with the animated featurette Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day in its original theatrical release but failed at the box office, and it received mostly negative reviews for its predictable script. Madison Avenue advertising executive Fred Bolton,
102-409: Is his teenage daughter Helen, who loves horses, takes riding classes and has competed. She dreams of having her own horse but knows that the family cannot afford one and that her father is allergic to horses. Fred has an idea to solve both problems at once: he will acquire a good horse, name it Aspercel and publicize the horse while Helen rides it. Helen and the horse must first win a few prizes to make
119-574: Is melted and the walls are removed, making way for carpeting and arena footing. Horse stables are erected on F and 6th streets, closing motor traffic down for the duration of the event. Horses are gathered at the nearby Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD where they can train and are then shuttled into the city for the specific days that they will be competing. Qualifying is required for this event. Hunter and national jumpers are selected by USEF National points acquired throughout
136-700: The COVID-19 pandemic the 2020 and 2021 (62nd and 63rd) WIHS was hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. The 2022 event returned to the DC area and was the first one in Prince George's County for more than 20 years when it took place at The Show Place Arena. The event has been closely involved with the American presidency over the years, with the Presidential seal being given to
153-556: The Pony Equitation Final occurs on Sunday. National and International show jumping are highlighted Thursday through Saturday in the afternoons and evening classes. The WIHS also features the WIHS Regional Championships allowing for regional riders to compete at their home show without accumulating the points necessary to compete in the elite divisions. The WIHS Equitation Championship is one of
170-627: The President of the United States Perpetual Cup by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Honorary Chairmen have included First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy , Lady Bird Johnson , Pat Nixon , Betty Ford , Nancy Reagan , Barbara Bush , and Laura Bush . Ambassadors and other notable persons have also been honorary chairmen. The WIHS is a six day event that completely transforms the Capitol One Arena. The hockey rink
187-483: The West Coast are invited to the championship. The final consists of three phases. The hunter phase is a hunter-style course while the jumper phase is a more technical jumper-style course. After each phase scores are given for each rider. The top ten riders with the most points across the two phases are invited back for the third round in which riders switch horses and complete a third course. Scores are not given for
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#1732790661652204-525: The final round until after awards are announced. The WIHS Pony Equitation Finals is one of the two major pony equitation championships alongside the USEF Pony Medal Finals. The top 25 pony riders from around the country based on points accumulated are invited to the show. Riders can choose any pony of any height to compete on. Small ponies jump at 2'3", mediums at 2'6", and large ponies jump at 3'0". The class consists of one round followed by
221-401: The horse a celebrated figure. Fred enlists the help of Helen's riding instructor Suzie, and is assisted by teenager Ronny Gardner, who is smitten with Helen. Helen wins some ribbons, but the resulting publicity is below Dugan's expectations. When Helen learns that her father's job is at stake, she falters under pressure and fails to win an important show. Suzie realizes Aspercel's potential when
238-510: The horse carries Fred over a seven-foot wall and away from a police car. She volunteers to ride Aspercel in the International Horse Show and recruits her wealthy friend and equestrian Archer Madison as a trainer. After a close competition with the reigning champion, Suzie and Aspercel win the championship. Fred is rewarded with a promotion and Suzie's love. Eric Hatch Eric S. Hatch (October 31, 1901 - July 4, 1973)
255-667: The most prestigious equitation finals in North America. It is considered one of the four major finals in the United States alongside the USEF Medal, ASPCA Maclay, and USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. Riders compete in a two-phase qualifying class throughout the qualifying period in which points are given based on the placing and the number of people in the class. The top 30 riders on the East Coast and top 10 riders on
272-500: The qualifying period, while international jumpers are selected using the FEI standard process. Hunter classes take up much of the daytime competition, with professional and amateur divisions running on Tuesday and Wednesday, and junior and pony classes taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. National championships for Child and Adult Hunter and Jumper classes are held. The WIHS Equitation Final takes place over Friday and Saturday, while
289-463: Was an American writer on the staff of The New Yorker and a novelist and screenwriter best known for his novels 1101 Park Avenue, (which became the hit 1936 film, My Man Godfrey ) and The Year of the Horse (adapted as the 1968 Disney comedy, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit ). Born in New York City , Eric was the son of May D. Hatch and her husband Frederic H. Hatch, owner of
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