Professional Bull Riders Tour (PBR) U.S. Capitol Invitational sets the stage for the 2005 Washington International Horse Show

PHOTO CREDIT: A great turnout for the PBR Challenger Tour on Sunday night at the MCI Center, Washington, D.C. Photo by Diana DeRosa Photography.

Washington, D.C. - October 23, 2005 - A Sunday evening gathering of over 8000 excited bull riding fans turned out for the inaugural U.S. Capitol Invitational at the beautiful MCI Center in Washington, D.C. Part of the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company's Professional Bull Riders Challenger Tour, the event featured 40 of the best PBR riders battling the rankest bucking bulls in the industry in their first ever appearance in our nation's Capitol. More than $18,000 in prize money was offered as all forty riders competed in round one and then the top ten returned for the finals.

The all new PBR event set the stage for the 2005 Washington International Horse Show which is scheduled to get underway on Tuesday morning at 7:00am. The Washington International, the nation's premiere indoor equestrian showcase, features Olympic riders from around the world competing in exciting show jumping action, plus the classic beauty of show hunters and the tough and demanding tests of the coveted WIHS Equitation Championship.

The nightly prime time programs at the MCI Center also feature the wonderfully popular Jack Russell Terrier Races, fast and furious barrel racing and the elegant beauty of world class dressage competitions.

"This is without a doubt the greatest field of open jumper riders at the Washington International Horse Show in the last fifteen to twenty years," said WIHS manager Hugh Kincannon.

The $100,000 President's Cup sponsored by Salamander Hospitality, LLC highlights this year's jumper division and will take place on Saturday night, October 29, 2005.

Other exciting jumper action includes the $25,000 International-Open Jumper Time First Jump-off, a President's Cup Qualifier, sponsored by Split Rock Farm and the Braun Family on Friday, October 28th and the $20,000 International-Open Jumper Time First Round, sponsored by Monarch International/Show Circuit Magazine on Thursday afternoon, October 27th, also a President's Cup Qualifier, Also on the agenda for 2005 is the $20,000 International-Open Gambler's Choice on Thursday evening.

The all new AOL.com Night at the Washington International Horse Show features two exciting show jumping events, the $20,000 International-Open Jumper Accumulator and the $25,000 AOL.com International Open Puissance classes.

It's a fun filled week you won't want to miss. Visit www.wihs.org to find out more about what's happening all week at this year's Washington International Horse Show.

WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW

FAST FACTS

Washington International Horse Show Media Credentials Available Online

Media interested in covering the WIHS can apply for accreditation through the official website www.wihs.org . The WIHS will accept any legitimate requests for applications, even if received after the deadline of October 10th.

If you would like to cover the WIHS, please fill out the accreditation form at http://www.wihs.org/news/media.cfm.

Washington International Horse Show - (Office) 16063 Comprint Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 - 301-987-9400 Fax: 301-987-9461 - www.wihs.org - Susan Webb - Susie@wihs.org

During Show at MCI Center: 202-661-5227 - Fax: 202-661-5228 - Web Site: www.wihs.org (#s TBD)

PRESS LINK PR/Diana De Rosa: O: 631-773-6155, C: 516-848-4867, dderosa1@optonline.net

PHELPS MEDIA GROUP, INC./Mason Phelps, Jr.: O: 561 753-3389, mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com

BENDURE COMMUNICATIONS/Vicki Bendure: (540) 687-3360, bendurepr@aol.com

MEDIA PARTNERS: NBC4 - Metro - Practical Horseman - The Gazette - The Journal - The Chronicle of the Horse - Equiery - WAMU 88.5 FM - The Washington Post - MIX 107.3 FM - Sidelines - Horse Talk - 97.1 Wash-FM - The Washington Times - Primedia Equine Network- 98.7 WMZQ- Washington Life Magazine- Press Link PR- Towerheads- Phelps Media Group, Inc.- Virginia Equestrian- Reins & Manes- Equine Journal

Publications interested in covering the Washington International Horse Show can fill out an accreditation form at www.wihs.org .

ABOUT THE MCI CENTER: The MCI Center offers sponsors luxury hospitality, an upscale spectator base, prime media exposure, and a highly-visible corporate presence.

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES: Thursday Evening's Performance, WIHS Equitation Classic, WIHS Championships, $20,000 Gambler's Choice, Junior Jumper Division, Amateur Owner Jumper Division, WIHS Pony Equitation, Exhibitor's Lounge,$25,000 Open Jumpers - Friday, $15,000 Open Jumper Speed Class - Saturday, Small Junior Hunter Divisions, Large Junior Hunter Divisions, Pony Hunter Divisions, Lunches for Judges & Officials, Leading Jumper Rider Award, Exhibitors Numbers, Hunter Divisions, Soda & Snacks For Exhibitors, Individual Hunter Classes, and Individual Pony Hunter Classes

QUICK FACTS:

-English Style Horse Show Spectators & competitors have one of the richest income/economic demographics of any sports audience.

-USEF members average HHI - $134,500 - net worth $955,400 - Professional/managerial positions - 60%

27 million Americans ride a horse at least once a year - More than 10% of U.S. households currently participate in riding - 2,000,000+ people currently own horses - An additional 18% of U.S. households have an interest in riding - 33% of American households own/ride horses or would like to own/ride horses - 2/3 of current horse owners own more than one horse.

-The MCI Center offers sponsors luxury hospitality, an upscale spectator base, prime media exposure, and a highly-visible corporate presence.

-With everything from shopping at the specialty vendor booths and bidding on silent auction items to cheering on Olympic riders, the WIHS combines affordable family fun, shopping, glamour and international equestrian competition.

-The WIHS is a charitable organization; proceeds donated to local and national charities. Past recipients include: CRPF, NBC4s Camp 4 Kids, Canine Companions for Independence, ASPCA, Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health, Partners in Education, Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children, National Center For Therapeutic Riding, etc.

- This year's chief charity for 2005 is the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, founded by Steven Spielberg, the foundation is dedicated to brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Their website is www.slsb.org .

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The 47th Annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) has served as one of the world's elite show jumping competitions since its genesis in 1958. From its birthplace at the DC Armory, to the Capital Centre, and now at the state-of-the-art MCI Center, the WIHS brings the "country to the city" every October with Olympic horses and riders competing throughout the 6 days of competition for some of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the world.

The Washington International Horse Show takes place each year at the MCI Center, Washington, DC. The musical freestyle dressage exhibitions by top dressage riders are a crowd favorite. Musical freestyle dressage is often referred to as "dancing on horseback" since riders and horses perform a routine of complex movements - all to the beat of music.

Each year, equestrians from all across the US competed in horse shows to qualify to compete at Washington. The world's top riders fly their multi-million dollar equine athletes to Washington to view for top honors in this world class show jumping event.

The Washington International Horse Show is a great place to start shopping for the holiday season with amazing bargains in both the Silent Auction and at the 60-plus specialty vendor booths along the concourse of the MCI Center. To view information about this year's specialty vendors and descriptions of their products, visit www.wihs.org

WIHS EQUITATION QUALIFYING INFORMATION

Competitors must be WIHS members for qualifying points to count. Membership forms and Show Application Equitation forms may be downloaded at www.wihs.org - or contact Ryegate Show Services, 717-867-5643 - wihs@ryegate.com

RULES & REGULATIONS (new for 2005): Riders must be members of the WIHS Equitation to earn points in the standings.

The WIHS Equitation and Washington Pony Equitation are open to USEF and CEF member shows that request an application to hold an equitation qualifier class.

Shows must apply 30 days prior to the start of the show in order to offer the equitation class(es). Upon receipt of the application, the show contact will be mailed all pertinent forms.

Completed results forms and payment ($7.00 fee per rider in each class) must be returned to the Ryegate office within 10 days from the conclusion of the recognized horse show.

Qualifying period: shows starting on or after September 1st through shows starting on or before August 31st. The top 30 riders in the WIHS Equitation and the top 25 riders in the Washington Pony Equitation will be invited to compete in the Finals at the Washington International Horse Show.

Multi-day horse shows are permitted to hold either a one or two phase WIHS equitation qualifier. One-day horse shows are only allowed to hold a one-phase event. Washington Pony Equitation Classes may only be held as one phase.

The WIHS Equitation classes are open to junior members of USEF or CEF. Three riders must complete the course for the class to be included in the National Ranking.

* The same horse must be used in all phases of the event...No Exceptions.

* One rider per horse, unless the judge requests a change.

* Classes to be judged in accordance with the current USEF standards for equitation.

* Riders may only compete in one WIHS Equitation class at a show.

* Splitting of classes must be in accordance with USEF Article 2203.3.1.