Sorting through the plethora of Black Friday emails and advertisements can be overwhelming, and coming up with just the right, thoughtful, distinctive, but also useful gift for the equestrian in your life? That can be almost as challenging as “no stirrup November” has been thus far! (Almost.)
While at the 2018 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), Kat Fuqua claimed the Large Pony Hunter Championship with her own Brighton, but just a few weeks prior, the 11-year-old rider traded in her KEP Italia helmet, new breeches, and the big city show ring atmosphere for a different kind of ‘horse show.’
Running a horse show in the heart of Washington, D.C. is a huge logistical undertaking, but at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) it’s one made slightly easier thanks to a team of dedicated volunteers.
On Saturday night at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), take a close look when you hear a deep baritone voice begin the time-honored first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States. Standing in the spotlight center ring will be Retired Master Sergeant Caleb Green. He’s sung the national anthem at WIHS for a decade.
If you have a chance, pay a visit to the corner of G and 6th Streets during the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS). There you’ll find Sandy Johnson, the official farrier of WIHS since 2010. Johnson is one of those many unsung heroes who work hard to make sure the show goes flawlessly without ever being in the spotlight.
If you watch the “Guess Where We Are Going!!!” YouTube video posted by Sisters Horsing Around, you’ll see Sarah and Emily Harris literally squirming with excitement at the prospect of spectating at the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS).
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is definitely a family affair for the Bishops. The family from Washington, D.C. has been coming to spectate at WIHS for more than 10 years and all three sisters—Emma, Libby and Daisy—are showing there this year.
On Saturday, October 13 at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, I snapped this picture of trainer John Madden--who works with his wife, Beezie Madden, to train grand prix stars and Olympic team gold medal horses--cleaning junior rider Madison Goetzmann’s boots before the victory gallop for the 2018 Neue Schule/US Equestrian Junior Jumper Championships.
In March of 2016, I decided it would be fun to start fostering dogs. My family’s Golden Retriever that had been living with me in Florida had passed away in November 2015, and, particularly with a busy horse show travel schedule, I didn’t think it was the right time to have another dog of my own.
He's the perfect office assistant!
I like to call my family’s yellow Lab, Biscuit, the expensive warmblood I never had.
We can peek into the barns of top show jumpers, see riders we idolize in candid moments, and get to know famous horses outside of the ring. It’s unprecedented access to the sport’s stars—all on our phones and computers.
My parents have a somewhat haughty infatuation with Golden Retrievers and we had two while I was living at home, so I grew up with dogs. There was always a dog by the front door, playing fetch in the backyard with my father, or fondly watching over my loud and dynamic family.
The question of “How do we showcase our sport and its riders in the best way possible?” is an eternal one for equestrian endeavors.
