Kindness Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Washington International Horse Show
September 8, 2025 - Upper Marlboro, MD
Photo courtesy of WIHS
Photo courtesy of WIHS
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography
At the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), presented by MARS Equestrian™ world-class sport meets an equally powerful force: kindness. This year, WIHS is expanding its “Kind Wins” campaign, a movement that started in Sweden and now inspires the U.S. equestrian community to stand up against bullying and celebrate positivity. The 67th WIHS will run October 20-26, 2025, at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Supported by Friends, a Swedish anti-bullying organization, and led in part by the WIHS Junior Committee, Kind Wins aims to create a welcoming, inclusive environment built around a shared love of horses — whether you’re a first-time fan, top competitor, parent, groom, or trainer. The message is simple: kindness wins every time.
The campaign made a big impact at WIHS in 2024, with more than 500 fans and exhibitors signing the Kind Wins Pledge Wall and spreading the word about the benefits of kindness. This fall, the wall returns — and it’s even larger than before. Everyone is invited to add their name and show their support for a kinder, stronger equestrian community. If you can’t make it to WIHS, you can always sign the online Pledge Wall here: https://wihs.org/kind-wins-pledge-wall/. It’s available all year, and by signing, you get a free Kind Wins pin to wear and show your support.
The Pledge Wall is just the beginning, and there are more ways to get involved in 2025. The second annual Kind Wins Award is also back, and nominations are now open. This honor recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made significant strides by advancing anti-bullying education and kindness in the horse world. Self-nominations are welcome, and the 2025 recipient will be announced in October before being celebrated live at WIHS during MARS Barn Night, presented by Walkenbach Equestrian.
Nominate for the Kind Wins Award
Complementing the pledge and award is the Kind Wins Workshop, which is designed to spark change right at the barn level. The workshops are free, one-hour educational sessions that use conversations, activities, and role-playing to give equestrians the tools to recognize bullying, encourage positive behavior, and lead with respect. Sessions are tailored for different age groups, making them practical, powerful, and personal.
Sign up for a Kind Wins Workshop
WIHS invites horse lovers everywhere to join the Kind Wins movement. Introduce the workshop at your own barn, then come to the 2025 show, sign the pledge wall, cheer for the Kind Wins Award presentation, and watch the nation’s best riders and horses compete at America’s premier indoor horse show. Because at WIHS, it’s not just about winning in the ring — it’s about proving that Kind Wins. For more information, visit www.wihs.org/kind-wins/.
