The Washington International Horse Show

What The Washington International Horse Show does

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1958 that produces a premier annual indoor equestrian competition held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, with administrative offices in Annapolis. The event is sanctioned as a CSI5*-W and CSI2* by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) and holds USEF Heritage Competition designation, with its flagship Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington leg attracting 666 participants, 15,000+ spectators, and visitors from 35 states, the District of Columbia, and 13 countries. Its programming includes the historic Presidential Cup competition, new Pony Jumper Championships, and community-facing initiatives such as the Kind Wins anti-bullying campaign in partnership with the Swedish organization Friends and a military-support partnership with TAPS. Leadership is provided by President Vicki Lowell and Executive Director Sue Harada, supported by a staff of 11–50 employees.

The organization generates revenue through a diversified model spanning multi-tiered corporate sponsorship packages (Diamond, Platinum, Gold), individual ticket sales, charitable donations, and an annual holiday auction. Anchor sponsors include MARS Equestrian, Longines, and Delta, supplemented by institutional support from the Maryland Sports Commission and Maryland-National Capital Park. The 2024 event generated $9.1M in regional economic impact, up approximately $600K year-over-year, with nearly $1M in prize money committed for 2025. Operational partnerships with Jump Media LLC (media), Ryegate Show Services (production), and Footing First (venue footing) provide the technical infrastructure required to deliver the multi-day competition.

WIHS's strategic positioning centers on operating leverage through its locked-in venue agreement running through 2028, expanded competition tiers (the new FEI CSI2* and Pony Jumper Championships launching in 2026), and deepening of its charitable and community programming to broaden sponsor appeal. The combination of elite international regulatory designations (FEI CSI5*-W, USEF Heritage), a 65-year brand, and an integrated ecosystem of corporate, government, and nonprofit partners creates durable barriers to competitive entry in the Washington, D.C. equestrian market.

Name

The Washington International Horse Show

Legal name

Washington International Horse Show

Website

https://wihs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1958 that produces an annual FEI CSI5*-W and CSI2* indoor equestrian competition at the Prince George's Equestrian Center, serving professional riders, spectators, corporate sponsors, and the equestrian community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equestrian Sports Events

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Equestrian competition events
• Show jumping tournaments
• Equestrian sports management
• Hunter jumper championships
• Indoor horse shows

Headquarters

HQ city

Annapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: WIHS generates revenue through ticket sales for evening events at The Show Place Arena. Daytime sessions offer free admission to attract broader attendance. Premium ticketing includes VIP tables and hospitality packages.
2. Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship at multiple tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Benefactor, Patron) provides significant revenue. Sponsors receive branding, hospitality, and association with the prestigious equestrian event.
3. Donations and Charitable Contributions: WIHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that accepts donations. The Kind Wins program includes donation capabilities through PayPal.
4. Holiday Auction: Annual online holiday auction featuring equestrian experiences, lessons with Olympic riders, travel packages, jewelry, and apparel. Proceeds support the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes and hosts an annual indoor equestrian competition featuring the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI5*-W, WIHS Equitation Finals, and Hunter and Jumper Championships. The event operates at The Show Place Arena at Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, offering approximately $1 million in prize money and attracting Olympic-level athletes. Revenue is generated through ticketed evening events (with free daytime admission), corporate sponsorship tiers, charitable donations, and an annual Holiday Auction.

Product overview

The Washington International Horse Show is a premier annual equestrian competition established in 1958, hosting professional, amateur, junior, and children's divisions. The core product centers on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI5*-W for the President's Cup, supplemented by WIHS Equitation Finals and Children's/Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships. The event expands through the WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship qualifier and new WIHS Pony Jumper Championships (debuting 2026). Entertainment offerings include the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Race and Sylvia Zerbini's liberty horse exhibition. Community engagement features MARS Barn Night, WIHS Kids' Day, and WIHS Military Night. The organization also operates the Kind Wins anti-bullying campaign, Junior Committee youth development program, and an annual Holiday Auction for fundraising.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kind Wins: Anti-bullying campaign and initiative promoting kindness, positivity, and inclusivity within the equestrian community, launched in partnership with Friends from Sweden.

Products and services

• Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington CSI5*-W

Quantifiable outcome

• $9.1 million economic impact to Prince George's County in 2024
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Friends (Swedish Anti-Bullying Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish anti-bullying organization that partnered with WIHS to launch the 'Kind Wins' campaign, an initiative bringing an anti-bullying movement from Sweden to the U.S. equestrian community. The partnership includes guidance from Swedish partners, athlete ambassadors, and content sharing.
• MARS EquestriancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level sponsor presenting the WIHS event. Major equestrian brand providing significant sponsorship support and brand association with the prestigious horse show.
• LonginescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level sponsor and title sponsor of the FEI Jumping World Cup Washington. Luxury watch brand with strong equestrian heritage and brand association.
• Delta Air LinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor and presenting sponsor of Kids' Day. Airline providing travel partnerships and marketing support for the event.
• Maryland Sports CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond-level sponsor and key supporting organization that helped secure the venue through 2028. Provides grants that allow the show to operate at the highest level.
• Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor investing in brand-new footing for the competition arena. Secured venue through 2028 agreement.
• Ryegate Show ServicescoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides show management system for entries, live updates, and results. Manages WIHS Rankings and qualifying classes.
• Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial military charity partner receiving $25,000 donation in 2024. WIHS Military Night supports military families through this partnership.
• Shawn McMillen PhotographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial photographer providing exclusive competition photography for sale to exhibitors.
• Jump Media LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial media partner providing press releases, competition coverage, and media inquiries handling.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Gold Cup: Major FEI-rated show jumping event with a long history in U.S. equestrian sport, currently held at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY. Directly comparable to WIHS as a CSI-level show jumping competition attracting international riders and corporate sponsors.
• Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF): Multi-week show jumping circuit held each winter in Wellington, FL. Directly comparable as a major FEI-rated U.S. show jumping venue featuring CSI events, equitation finals, and top-tier sponsorships, though it operates as a longer seasonal series rather than a single-week show.
• Tryon International Equestrian Center: Year-round equestrian venue in Mill Spring, NC hosting FEI-rated show jumping, hunter, and dressage competitions. Comparable to WIHS as a high-prestige U.S. equestrian competition organizer with similar CSI-rated events, prize purses, and family programming.
• Hampton Classic Horse Show: Premier end-of-summer equestrian show held in Bridgehampton, NY, featuring FEI-rated show jumping, hunters, and equitation alongside a family-friendly village. Directly comparable to WIHS in combining elite competition with community entertainment programming and corporate sponsorship activations.
• Capital Challenge Horse Show: Premier U.S. equitation and hunter competition held at the Prince George's Equestrian Center (same venue as WIHS) each fall. Directly comparable as a sister event sharing venue infrastructure, similar rider pipeline, and adjacent programming windows to WIHS in the Mid-Atlantic equestrian calendar.
• Devon Horse Show & Country Fair: Historic U.S. equestrian event held annually in Devon, PA featuring show jumping, hunters, equitation, and country fair entertainment. Directly comparable to WIHS in format, audience (affluent equestrian families, Mid-Atlantic/Northeast), and family-friendly programming.
• National Horse Show: Long-running U.S. indoor equestrian show held annually at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids (formerly in New York/Madison Square Garden). Directly comparable to WIHS as a prestigious indoor show jumping and hunter competition featuring top-tier riders and equitation finals.

Broad incumbents

• US Equestrian Federation: National governing body for equestrian sport in the U.S., which grants WIHS its Heritage Competition and 6* Jumpers/Premier Hunters ratings. Comparable as a broader industry anchor — not a direct competitor but the umbrella regulator and rating authority for events like WIHS.
• Longines Global Champions Tour: Global show jumping tour with high-profile CSI5* events in cities including London, Paris, and Shanghai, sponsored by Longines. Comparable as a Longines-sponsored elite show jumping property; serves as a competing brand association for WIHS's title sponsor and competes for the same elite athlete pool.
• Aachen CHIO (World Equestrian Festival): One of the world's most prestigious equestrian events held annually in Aachen, Germany, combining FEI show jumping, dressage, eventing, and driving. Comparable to WIHS in scale and prestige as a top-rated indoor/outdoor equestrian competition, though international in scope and broader in disciplines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wihs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WashingtonHorseShow
• Facebookfacebook.com/WashingtonInternationalHorseShow
• Instagraminstagram.com/wihs
• TikToktiktok.com/@wihsofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washington-international-horse-show

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Washington International Horse Show