The 2023 WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship presented by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty and the Lowham-Ruzzo Family took place at the Salem Farm Showgrounds in Upperville, VA, October 19-22. The annual event showcased local and regional riders and crowned new champions.
Addison Huffman, of Churchville, Maryland, and her own Contento, won the Maryland Horse Shows Association (MHSA) Gittings Horsemanship Finals, which was the featured event on Saturday at the WIHS Regional Horse Show.
Huffman, 15, competed in the Gittings Finals twice before, initially in 2021 and again in 2022 earning seventh place aboard Contento. This year, she credits the win in the class to the partnership she has built with her mount.
“It means a lot to me to be able to win this year,” explained Huffman. “I competed in the Gittings Finals on Contento in 2022, and we’ve really improved as a team since then so to come out on top feels amazing.
“My goal was just to go in and do the best that I possibly could,” she continued. “Contento has been really good recently so I was confident going into the class.”
Though Huffman’s skilled ride earned her the win, she is quick to acknowledge the team effort behind her recent success.
“I would like to thank my trainer and cousin, Selina Petronelli, for all of her hard work that helped Contento and I become the strong team that we are today,” shared Huffman. “I would like to thank my aunt, Dennise Petronelli, for helping with everything behind the scenes, and I would like to thank my parents for always believing in me and for providing me with the most amazing horse.”
Looking ahead, Huffman’s goal is to continue gaining experience with Contento and aims to move up to the 3’6” equitation in the 2024 show season.
Behind Huffman, Martha Morales took second place riding Annabele Whitehead’s Imperio, while Sarah Howard rode Kathryn Obrecht’s HTS King’s Ransom to third place. Samantha Tanner and Hilary Gibbons-Neff’s Cinco De Mayo finished in fourth, with Isabel Flynn and Kyla Sullivan’s Kenan rounding out the top five.
WIHS Regional Horse Show & USHJA Zone 3 Championship Results Highlights
Grand Champion Adult Jumper and Recipient of the Papillon Peanut Perpetual Trophy Donated by Wendy Libert
Grand Champion: Annabella, ridden and owned by Kelly Tehan
Reserve Grand Champion: Casquite, ridden and owned by Elisabeth Yeager
Grand Champion Adult Amateur Hunter and Recipient of the Glyndon Memorial Trophy Donated by Patti and Bruce Schindler
Grand Champion: Deputy Balou, ridden by Jessica Van Brocklin Smith and owned by Esther Lander
Reserve Grand Champion: Silver Lake, ridden and owned by Emily Morin
Grand Champion Green Hunter
Grand Champion: GGN Grand Pilot, ridden by Chad Keenum and owned by Suzanne Chambers
Reserve Grand Champion: La Di Da, ridden by Guy Cambria and owned by Catherine Barber
Grand Champion Children’s Hunter
Grand Champion: GGN Grand Pilot, ridden by Zoey A. Chambers and owned by Suzanne Chambers
Reserve Grand Champion: MTM Jewel, ridden and owned by Olivia Dougherty
Grand Champion Children’s Pony Hunter
Grand Champion: Macgyver, ridden and owned by Lane Costa
Reserve Grand Champion: Red Sky at Night, ridden by Jane Howard and owned by Cavallo Farm
Thank you to our exhibitors and fans for continuing to make this a special part of the WIHS legacy. The WIHS Regional Horse Show also expresses great appreciation for the support of its 2023 Star, Blue Ribbon, and Champion Sponsors. Special thanks to our Champion Sponsors:
Champion Sponsors: Charles Ancona, The Clothes Horse, Archie Cox, Heisley-Bishop Family, Victoria Lowell, The Madeira School, RingSide Pro, Total Equine Veterinary Associates, United Metro Golf Cart, and USHJA Zone 3.
The excitement will continue this week at the 65th annual Washington International Horse Show CSI5*-W presented by MARS Equestrian™ running October 23 through October 29, 2023, at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, MD. WIHS attendees will experience the beauty and athleticism of the finest horses and riders in the country and the world, including Olympic veterans, plus enjoy entertaining exhibitions, boutique shopping, historical displays, VIP hospitality, an autograph session with top jumping athletes, and Kids’ Day. As a 501(c)(3) event, WIHS benefits Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) as well as the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster. A special half-price offer is available for U.S. military and first responders. Daytime admission is free every day.
For more information about WIHS, visit wihs.org, and join WIHS on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. Tag using #WIHS2023, #FEIJumpingWorldCup, and #Longines.
About Washington International Horse Show, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious, competitive, and entertaining equestrian events with competition for international, professional, amateur, junior and child riders. Highlights include the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup, the WIHS Equitation Finals and Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships, top national hunters and jumpers, plus popular community, and charity events. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition. For more information, visit wihs.org.
Contact: Jennifer Wood | Jump Media | jwood@jumpmediallc.com