The Washington International Horse Show Announces 2016 Youth Ambassador and Junior Committee

June 3, 2016 - Washington, DC

Young equestrian Katherine F. McCoy, 16, of Arlington, Va., takes up the reins as Youth Ambassador of the 2016 Washington International Horse Show.
Photo provided by WIHS
Meet the 2016 WIHS Junior Committee.
Photo provided by WIHS

Future Leaders Bring Passion and Commitment to WIHS and the Local Community

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the most prestigious equestrian sport and entertainment events in North America, is pleased to announce Katherine F. McCoy, 16, of Arlington, Va., as the 2016 Youth Ambassador, and to welcome 24 local teens attending schools in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to serve on the 2016 WIHS Junior Committee.

"Now in its eighth year, the WIHS Junior Committee and Youth Ambassador Program represent the heart of the show," said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. "These hardworking teens are passionate about horse sports and that's what brings them to us, but they're also actively involved in giving back to the local community throughout the year. We’d like to congratulate and thank each one of them for their commitment to this special event and their support of the local community.”

As WIHS Youth Ambassador, McCoy will serve as the organization's youth spokesperson and chair the WIHS Junior Committee, which initiates and works on volunteer activities, horse-related youth programs and community-focused educational events, like WIHS Kids' Day, Barn Night, Military Night and Breakfast with the Mounted Police. The first group project is a volunteer day at the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program, a WIHS Charity Alliance partner, later this month.  

“We have a great group of students joining us this year with an astonishing breadth of accomplishments, interests and dedication to service," said WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan. "We're very fortunate to have these future leaders help produce our one-of-a-kind horse show in the city and bring fresh ideas and energy to our community events.”

McCoy is a rising senior at Yorktown High School in Arlington, where she developed an interest in photography leading to recognition this year as a Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key Recipient for Digital Art Photography. She is a volunteer at The Institute Farm in Aldie, Va., a hunting preserve for beagle and basset packs owned by the National Beagle Club, where she prepares meals for work weekends and has progressed to managing kitchen logistics. In addition she is a junior steward at the Bryn Mawr Hound Show.

As a fifth generation rider, McCoy says horses are in her blood. She competes in equitation, hunter and jumper classes at rated and local shows in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and made her first trip to the winter circuit in Ocala, Fla., this year. She trains with Adrian Ford at Big Easy Farm in Boyds, Md. In 2013 she rode at WIHS and looks forward to qualifying again.

“WIHS is one of the most prestigious and unique horse shows in the world,” said McCoy. “The girls and boys that make up the Junior Committee bring their creativity, teamwork and energy to develop new ideas on how to spread the word about the show and how to keep it interesting for the younger audience. They are the future leaders of WIHS.”

Members of the 2016 WIHS Junior Committee:

• Jocelyn (Jacey) Albaugh, 16, McLean, Va., The Madeira School
• Madison Allen, 15, Alexandria, Va., Hayfield Secondary School
• Hayley Antonelli, 15, Bethesda, Md., K12 International Academy
• Ana Bertozzi, 15, Leesburg, Md., Stone Hill Middle School
• Thea Bitar, 14, McLean, Va., The Langley School
• Emma Bishop, Washington, D.C., The Madeira School
• Charlotte Burch, 16, Raleigh, N.C., The Madeira School
• Lauren Dean, 15, Great Falls, Va., Flint Hill School
• Bailey Doloff, 17, Sykesville, Md.,Glenelg Country School
• Adam Edgar, 16, Leesburg, Va., Loudon County High School
• Cari Farmer, 15, Arlington, Va.,HB Woodlawn
• Erin Gill, 14, Reston, Va., Langston Hughes Middle School
• Grace Hetherington, 14, Great Falls, Va., Cooper Middle School
• Ciara (Cici) Jackson, 16, Chantilly, Va., Foxcroft School
• Olivia McCarren, 15, Chevy Chase, Md., Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
• Katherine (Katie) McCoy, 16, Arlington, Va., 2016 WIHS Youth Ambassador, Yorktown High School
• Madeline McManus, 16, Glyndon, Md., McDonogh School
• Elizabeth Parent, 17, Leesburg, Va., McDonogh School
• Holden Rafey, 16, Bethesda, Md., Walter Johnson High School
• Jenny Searles, 17, Gaithersburg, Md., Home Schooled
• Jennifer Taylor, 15, Odenton, Md., Mount De Sales Academy
• Louise Whitner, 14, Middleburg, Va., Hill School
• Kendall Ann Youngblood, 15, Great Falls, Va., Langley High School
• Jenna Zimmerman, 15, Great Falls, Va., Langley High School

The WIHS Junior Committee & Youth Ambassador Program was created in 2009. Members are selected through an application process that begins in March. For more information, visit WIHS Youth Ambassador & Junior Committee Program.

The 58th Annual Washington International Horse Show will be held October 25-30, 2016, at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.  For more information, please visit wihs.org.

To learn more or set up an interview, please contact:
Jennifer Wood, Jump Media
803-240-7488
Jennifer@jumpmediallc.com

About the Washington International Horse Show (wihs.org)
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the oldest and most prestigious equestrian sporting events in North America. More than 26,000 spectators attend the six-day show, which includes Olympic-level competition along with community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders come to D.C. from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Washington, the President's Cup Grand Prix, presented by Events DC, (Saturday night), The Boeing Company Puissance high jump competition on Military Night (Friday) and Kids' Day (Saturday), a free, fun and educational community event. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition and is currently ranked #7 in the Top 25 Horse Shows by the North American Riders Group. WIHS is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports.