Prince George's County Welcomes the Washington International Horse Show for the Third Consecutive year

LARGO, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks Thursday announced that the 66th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) will be held in Prince George’s County for the third consecutive year. This highly anticipated event will take place at the Showplace Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro from Monday, October 21 through Sunday, October 27, 2024.

The Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious equestrian events, featuring a range of competitions for international, professional, amateur, junior, and child riders. The show includes thrilling exhibitions, entertainment, and family-friendly activities that attract participants and spectators from around the world.

“We are excited to welcome the Washington International Horse Show back to Prince George’s County,” said County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “This event is not only a celebration of equestrian excellence, but it also brings substantial benefits to our community, providing an economic boost and helping to solidify Prince George’s County as a premier destination for sports tourism.”

The economic impact of the 2023 WIHS and the 30th Capital Challenge Horse Show was recently highlighted in a new report that revealed a $25.4 million boost to the local economy. Attendees of these events spent an estimated $17.1 million in the county, supporting local businesses and generating new opportunities for Prince George’s residents.

[Washington International Horse Show Infographic]

In addition to the competitions, the 2024 WIHS will offer a variety of special events, including Kids’ Day, Military Night, and educational programming designed to engage the community. The event will also feature a livestream broadcast reaching 85 million homes worldwide, further elevating the profile of Prince George’s County as a hub for equestrian sports.

Highlights of the 2024 WIHS include:

International-level competition featuring world-class riders and horses
Family-friendly events including interactive exhibits, pony rides, and horse demonstrations
Shopping and dining experiences at the Show Place Arena and National Harbor
Community and charity events supporting local organizations

For more information about the Washington International Horse Show, ticket sales, and event details, visit https://wihs.org/tickets/.

"We are thrilled to announce that the 66th annual Washington International Horse Show will take place at The Show Place Arena at Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland," said Vicki Lowell, President of the Washington International Horse Show. "Our return to the D.C. area is especially exciting, and we are deeply grateful for the tremendous support and hard work from Maryland state and Prince George's County officials and teams, who are dedicated to making this year's event exceptional. We’re also looking forward to welcoming the U.S. Olympic equestrian jump team, who won a silver medal in Paris this year."

“Maryland is proud to be the only state in the country to host two prestigious FEI five-star equestrian competitions, both right here in Prince George’s County,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “The Washington International Horse Show showcases the world’s top talent while highlighting our state’s commitment to supporting equestrian sports and agritourism. We are excited to once again welcome riders, horses, and spectators from around the world to our state for this incredible event.”

"Prince George's County is honored to host the Washington International Horse Show, and our Parks and Recreation team has worked tirelessly to ensure that our facilities meet the highest standards for this world-class event,” said Peter A. Shapiro, Chair, Prince George’s County Planning Board of the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission. “From preparing the grounds to managing logistics, we've put in place everything necessary to provide an outstanding experience for competitors, spectators, and the local community. This event showcases not only our commitment to excellence but also the exceptional talent and dedication of our team."

Daytime events will be held throughout the week (Monday, October 21 through Sunday, October 27) and will include “hunters,” where horses are judged on accuracy, grace, and elegance as they jump a course of natural-style obstacles similar to what might be found in foxhunting. The daytime events will also feature junior and amateur jumpers, where young riders will compete over decorated courses where speed and accuracy determine the winner.

Evening events will take place next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 24-26. These evening events will include international show jumping, entertaining exhibitions, and the WIHS equitation final.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Washington International Horse Show back to the Metro DC region,” said Mayor Sarah Franklin of Upper Marlboro. “It’s an honor for our town to host this prestigious event at the Showplace Arena at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, which is expanding its role as a hub for nationally acclaimed equestrian competitions. This is yet another step in solidifying Upper Marlboro’s place as a premier destination for equestrian tourism in the region.”

“We are honored to host the Washington International Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, an event that brings global recognition and economic impact to Prince George’s County,” said Prince George’s County Council Vice Chair Sydney Harrison. “This prestigious competition not only showcases our world-class equestrian facilities but also boosts local businesses and tourism, creating opportunities for our residents and strengthening our community’s reputation as a premier destination for international events.”

“The Show Place Arena is an ideal setting for this illustrious event, and as our sports industry continues to flourish, we look forward to welcoming the equine community and all attendees to experience a sport of this distinction,” said Leslie W. Graves, President and CEO of Experience Prince George’s.

Details about all of the week’s events can be found at the WIHS website, www.wihs.org.

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