Monday, October 20, 2008

Washington 50th Annual International Horse Show

Washington 50th Annual International Horse Show

Its that time of the year again, the 50th annual International Horse show is coming now in town. The show which started on Tuesday will last until Sunday the 26th.

This event has been an equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show brings top horses and riders from the U.S. and abroad, including Olympic champions, to the nation's capital to compete for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. The event has called the Verizon center home since 2000, and the city continues to welcome the event to Chinatown.

About 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunters, equitation and dressage events during the six-day show. Special exhibitions, unique shopping in 55 boutiques and a Pony Pavilion with free pony rides (Sat.) round out this family-friendly show.

This is a truly major event, were tons of VIPs are known to show their face, even Superman made his last public appearance, which was a memorable and moving speech at the show. The crowd was so moved they gave him a six-minute standing ovation.

Over the years, other notable guests have attended including Alice Roosevelt Langford, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, President John F. Kennedy, President Gerald R. Ford, General William Westmoreland, Christopher Reeve, John Cleese, Bruce Springsteen, William Shatner, Zsa Zsa Gabor.

Verizon Center
601 F Street, NW (7th and F Streets, NW)
Washington, D.C.