October 30, 2016
Jump Media
Washington, D.C. - The 58th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) came to a close on Sunday, October 30, after an unforgettable week of equestrian sport in the nation's capital. The final day of competition featured pony and regional hunter champions at Verizon Center in downtown Washington D.C. WIHS ran October 25-30, welcoming over 500 horses to compete for more than $500,000 in prize money. With top sport, exciting exhibitions, fabulous shopping, and more, the 2016 WIHS had something for everyone and celebrated another successful equestrian event in the nation’s capital.
Mimi Gochman’s sister, Sophie Gochman, rode Dr. Betsee Parker's Bit of Love to earn the Small Pony Hunter Championship, sponsored by Further Lane Farm, and was awarded The Stombock Saddlery Challenge Trophy, donated by Stombock Saddlery in Memory of E.P. (Bud) Stombock. The pair placed first, fourth, and fourth over fences, and finished third under saddle. Alexa Lignelli and her own Rollingwoods Knee Deep earned the reserve championship with two second-place ribbons over fences.
Hannah Bernstein’s Woodlands Stevie Ray and Emily Aitken took championship honors in the Medium Pony Hunter division and earned The Shenandoah Sundowner Perpetual Trophy, donated by Evan Coluccio and Ashmont Farms, Ltd. The pair won two classes over fences and placed second under saddle. Bill Schaub’s Highlands Heaven Sent and Luke Jensen won one class over fences to earn the reserve championship.
Isabelle Aldridge led the jumping phase of the WIHS Pony Equitation Finals with a score of 87 riding Woodland’s Misty Rain, owned by Aldridge Equestrian, LLC and finished in second place overall after the flat phase. After pocketing a score of 84 over fences, Grace Debney and Denmark, owned by John Skinner, took third, and Saylor Shea claimed fourth with an 82.5 riding Magical Diamond, owned by Strawberry Hill, LLC. Luke Jensen rounded out the top five with a score of 82 aboard Fox Creek’s Curious George, owned by Dianna Orona.
Final Results: WIHS Pony Equitation Finals
Place/Number/Horse/Owner/Rider/Score
1 655 Storyteller Fair Play Farm Sophie Gochman 86
2 839 Woodland’s Misty Rain Aldridge Equestrian, LLC Isabelle Aldridge 87 3 589 Denmark John Skinner Grace Debney 84
4 462 Magical Diamond Strawberry Hill, LLC Saylor Shea 82.5
5 955 Fox Creek’s Curious George Dianna Orona Luke Jensen 82
6 332 Jessandi Famous Amos Olivia Stoeckel Olivia Stoeckel 83
7 485 Kingston Gabrielle Sokolow Augusta Iwasaki 81.5
8 546 Blueberry Hill Natalie Jayne Claire Campbell 80
9 575 Anisette Hannah Hoch Hannah Hoch 75
10 331 Glynhafan Red Kestral Olivia Markman Olivia Markman 79