The 63rd Annual Washington International Horse Show will be held Oct. 26-31, 2021, at Tryon International Equestrian Center, in Mill Spring, North Carolina, the WIHS board of directors announced today. The competition will feature the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Washington CSI4*-W for the President’s Cup, and a complete schedule of hunter, jumper and equitation events.

Traditionally held in Washington, D.C., WIHS moved to the TIEC in 2020 when Capital One Arena, the show’s home since 2000, was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TIEC hosted the WIHS championship and finals classes and the $214,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix.

“Our horse show in the city found a wonderful temporary home in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina thanks to a great partnership with Tryon,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “WIHS was able to keep treasured traditions alive while ensuring competition would be as safe as possible for exhibitors, and partners could feel secure in their continued support of WIHS.”

Given the continued COVID-19 uncertainty and strict D.C. reopening policies for events, WIHS will return to TIEC before planning a return to a venue in the Washington, D.C., area in 2022.

“This year, we’re embracing our history and traditions to re-create a WIHS experience at Tryon and expand beyond what we did last year. We’ll be welcoming our exhibitors and sponsors to an exciting and competitive show with a D.C. twist in October,” said Lowell.

A new medium junior amateur jumper division will be added, as well as classes for children’s and adult hunter and jumper competitors. Plus, additional FEI riders will be accepted to compete in the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Washington CSI4*.