Upper Marlboro, MD- October 23- Local Weekend kicked off a week of Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) activities as riders competed at the Prince George Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Local Weekend, sponsored by The Tack Box, Inc. of Middleburg, Virginia, was a local horse show that allowed riders to qualify for local day finals at the Washington International Horse Show. The WIHS begins at the MCI Center on Tuesday, October 25 and continues through Sunday, October 30, 2005. The top six riders in each Pony Hunter, Children's Hunter, and Adult Amateur Hunter division qualified to attend their finals.

In the Adult Amateur Working Hunter 18-35 division ,The Patriot and Kara Douglas of Freeland, MD, earned the tricolor championship and a new leather halter from The Tack Box, Inc. The reserve champion award went to Lissa Bachner and her mount Maddox from Baltimore, MD.

Mimi Kujawski and her horse Macbeth triumphed in the Adult Amateur Working Hunter 36 and Over division and earned the division championship. The reserve champion went to Escapade and Patty Tihansky of West River, MD.

In the Children's Hunter 14 and Under division, Gracie Silbaugh and The Other Man from Owings Mills, MD, claimed the championship award. The reserve champion of the division went to Emily Williams and her horse Felicci. Williams and Felicci live in Woodbine, Maryland.

Children's Hunter 15-17 concluded with a championship tie between Lauren Farrell and her horse Madam Jinksy and Lizzie Nelson aboard Didji Dupoulic. Farrell resides in Mclean, VA, and Nelson lives in the District of Columbia.

The Large Pony Working Hunter division was split into two sections. After the split, two champions and two reserve champions were awarded to the competitors. The first champion honor went to Woodland's Berry Hazy and Anna Lowery from Spotsylvania, VA. The second championship award was presented to Fern Gully and Morgan Dvorkin of Sparks, MD. Reserve champions in the Large Pony division went to Caroline Miller aboard Black Onyx and Jocelyn Terry with Tantallon Classic Touch.

In the Small Pony Working Hunter division, Carter Ware and her pony, Buckles Boots And Spur, took home the champion rosette. Ware resides in Middleburg, Virginia. Madison Greif and Star Mist of Owings Mills, MD, received the reserve champion award.

The Medium Pony Working Hunter champion was Woodland's Love Child and Katie Carruthers of Mount Pelier, VA. Busybody Nora and Rachel Brodsky finished with the reserve championship award.

The Children's Jumper had a tie for the championship. Apollo Eleven and Michael O'Brien from Mclean, VA, tied with and Charlotte Vita-Finzi of in Vienna, VA.

The championship award for Adult Jumpers was presented Zoot Suit and Taylor Cowles of Arlington, Virginia.

Along with the nation's top horses and riders, the Washington International Horse Show offers evening exhibitions, excellent shopping, and a variety of activities for the entire family.

For more information on the Washington International Horse Show, please visit their official website at www.wihs.org .