Washington International Horse Show is underway...

Washington International Horse Show is underway in Washington, DC!  The show takes place in the heart of DC off of 6th Street, directly east of the White House at the Verizon Center Complex. They literally build horse show grounds in the middle of the city and streets, it's quite impressive.

© Alden Corrigan

Schooling on Monday
© Alden Corrigan/ EquestrianLife.com — with Peter Lutz and Mary Manfredi

 



Horse begun arriving over the weekend from all around the world. All horse trailers are required to stage at the Prince George Equestrian Center (doesn't look as fancy as it sounds btw) from there Johnson Horse Transportation takes the horse's to the Verizon Center.

On Tuesday, 22nd, Dudley MacFarlane and Authentic win the Washington International Adult Amateur Hunter Championship kicking off the WIHS.

Horse showing started yesterday, Tuesday, with the many hunter classes including the WIHS Adult Hunter Championships. Other highlights of the show include a $10,000 Open Jumper class and WIHS Children's Jumper Championships Wednesday, a $33,000 Jumpers Stake and $20,000 costume Gambler's Choice on Thursday, a $50,000 Speed Class and $25,000 Puissance on Friday, and ending with a $125,000 President's Cup Grand Prix and Hermes Equitation Finals over the weekend. In between these top money classes is an extensive list of hunter/jumper classes and other fun non-horse show events including a Shetland Pony Steeplechase, Celebrity Barrel Race, and Autograph Signing.

Last year's President's Cup Grand Prix winner was Reed Kessler on Cylana. @Lawrence Nagy

The Puissance brings on the edge of your seat excitement where horse and riders are challenged with an incredibly high jump that keeps going up! The height to beat is an impressive record of  7 1/2 feet set by Anthony D'Ambrosio on Sweet N' Low in 1986.

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A girl with many hats, riding hats that is!

I know many people ride without a helmet and justify it with the fact that they are on the trail, not jumping, it's too hot, or on a calm horse, etc.  The truth is, equestrians who are riding without helmets on a daily or weekly basis are placing their lives and health in jeopardy.  For me, I have had a concussion (or two) from falling off...with the helmet on!

Some people don't have as bad luck as me, but in case you are wondering how common equestrian head injuries are here are some stats from http://www.riders4helmets.com:

1. 75-80% of horse related head injuries occur while mounted on the horse.
2. One serious accident occurs for every 350 hours of riding, motorcyclists only experience 1 serious accident for every 5,000 hours of riding.
3. Over 100 equestrian deaths per year, with 10-20 times more serious  injuries then deaths.
4. Head injuries account for 60% of deaths from riding.
5. On average their are 8 brain trauma related deaths per year for sports like football, for equestrian this number goes up to 60 deaths per year due to traumatic brain injuries.
6. Most head injuries occur at home, not at the show.

Now to stop talking serious and start talking cute, check out some of these awesome helmets that you will want to wear!

Samshield Custom Helmets  $545, check out the sparkles!  Order via Smartpak.

It looks like Samshield is also doing some work with Animo, check out this Samshield/Animo helmet:

Antares Custom Helmets  $890, color options!  Order via Smartpak.

Charles Owen Custom Helmet.  Another one with lots of color options $339.  Order via Dover

And this one is smokin' hot!

GPA, the classic look and most popular in hunter/jumper scene $350.  Order via Dover.

Harry's Hat.  It's an Ireland thing and I like it!  Order off IE site.

Tonino.  Really want a unique helmet, check out these!

IRH.  I have to throw it a more affordable helmet!  Check out IRH at really any tack store for $173.

"A hat is a flag, a shield, a bit of armor, and the badge of 

femininity. A hat is the difference between wearing clothing and wearing a costume; it's the difference between being dressed and being dressed up; it's the difference between looking adequate and looking your best. A hat is to be stylish in, to glow under, to flirt beneath, to make all others seem jealous over, and to make all men feel masculine about. A piece of magic is a hat." (Martha Sliter)

Elastic Breastplate, we need more colors!

My new addition is a running martingale, which I would like to pair with an elastic breastplate.  My dilemma with this elastic breastplate- the colors. I want enough pop that it compliments a saddle pad or show jacket, but there aren't much options out there.

After a mass search, here are my top picks.  Wanna buy?  Each one is linked to the best deal I could find online!

1)  Stubben- one of the more expensive ones, but I can see why.  Dark blue with light blue stripe, so pretty.  Recommended on any color horse, may wash out a dark bay though.  $289

2)  Antares-  Another pretty blue with white.  The leather is to die for!  $270.00

3)  Prestige Breast Color- Black, it's sophisticated.  Would look great on a grey or chestnut.  $249.00

4)  Pessoa-  I love the slight hint of green, this would look good on any color horse.  The quality is beautiful.  $209

5)  EB:  An overseas product, but look at all the color options! £58.99

6)  V-check:  Order from overseas.  Comes in other color options, but the red it pretty hot.  Would look awesome on a grey or dark bay.  £78.99

7) SmartPak-  I keep hearing such good things about SmartPak brand tack and you can't beat their return policy and customer service.  I love the blue and white stripe, not too dark so you can see it on darker horse colors.  $114

8)  Ovation-  A steal on price.  Blue and white elastic.  $89

9)  HDR-  Good leather for the price.  I like the brown elastic.  $79.99

10)  Joseph Sterling-  Slightly lower quality but a nice basic tan color.  I could see this looking good on  bays and chestnuts. $69