Washington D.C. - World-renowned operatic tenor, Carl Tanner has been chosen to sing the National Anthem at the 2006 Washington International Horse Show at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, October 28th. Carl Tanner is the fast rising vocalist who has evolved into one of today’s great tenors, performing to packed houses all over the world, including leading roles under the musical direction of maestro Placido Domingo. Tanner, a Virginia native, has graced stages worldwide, from Covent Garden to La Scala, from New York to Berlin, from Naples to Washington, and was seen by millions last year on NBC’s Today Show. “His voice is robust and virile,” wrote the NY Post’s classical critic of Tanner’s Metropolitan Opera Central Park performance of Turandot. “He delivered ‘Nessun dorma’ – the aria every tenor fan waits for – with passion and a ringing resonance. It would have brought the house down if there had been one.”
Said Tanner, “I am looking forward to performing at this worthwhile annual event
and supporting the efforts of the equestrian community who contribute so generously to local and national charities.”
‘Hear the Angel Voices’—a brand new Christmas recording due out October 24th - is Carl Tanner’s solo recording debut. It is a remarkable collection of 16 songs that capture the essence and wonder of Christmas by one of America’s leading operatic voices, performing with the Northwest Sinfonia and featuring guest appearances by The Seattle Chorus and Northwest Boychoir.
For more information on Carl Tanner, please visit his official website at HYPERLINK www.carltanner.com www.carltanner.com.
Washington International Horse Show Fast Facts
What: Now in its 48th year, the Washington International Horse Show is one of the world’s leading equestrian events. It features top horses and riders from the U.S. and abroad competing for more than $400,000 in prize money and championship titles. Approximately 600 horses will be on hand for the six-day event. Riders from Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Brazil and Ireland are expected to participate at the show in the Olympic sport of show jumping.
When: October 24 - 29, 2006 (Local Weekend: October 20-22 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center, Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
Where: Verizon Center at 601 F Street NW (7th and F Streets NW), Washington, D.C., home of the Washington International Horse Show since 2000, as well as professional and college sports teams including the NBA Wizards, the NHL Capitals, the WNBA Mystics and the Georgetown Hoyas, concerts, family shows and sporting events. ***Take Metrorail or Metrobus to Gallery Place-Chinatown for an easy trip to the show.
Highlights:
- $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix (Sat., Oct. 28-evening)
- $25,000 Puissance (Fri., Oct. 27-evening)
- Invitational Dressage Championship Grand Prix (Thurs., Oct. 26-evening) and Musical Freestyle (Fri., Oct. 27-evening)
- Washington International Equitation Classic Finals (Sat., Oct. 28-evening)
- $15,000 AHJF Nations Cup Hunter Challenge (Sat., Oct. 28-day)
Website: www.WIHS.org
General Information:
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the nation’s leading championship horse shows since 1958, hosts some of the finest horses and riders from the U.S. and abroad, including Olympic and World Cup medalists. Unique among horse shows, the WIHS takes place in the middle of a city, and not just any city-the nation’s capital! For six days, the WIHS transforms local city streets around the Verizon Center into stabling and exercise areas for hundreds of horses. Show jumping, hunter, equitation and dressage competition is the mainstay of the show, with entertaining exhibitions of racing terriers, a celebrity sports challenge and barrel racing rounding out a very full program. Riders of all ages – from children as young as seven riding ponies to experienced riders well into their 50’s on powerful jumpers and dressage horses – compete throughout the year and throughout the country to qualify to ride at Washington.
New this year is side saddle, with riders evoking the elegance and style of past eras, the AHJF Nations Cup Hunter Challenge, an innovative hunter competition pairing WIHS equitation (junior) riders with international show jumping riders, and a polo exhibition.
Barn/Group Night, Thurs, Oct. 26, is a favorite with local young riders who attend in groups and vie for prizes based on best group spirit, best essay, largest group, etc. All participants get a free tee-shirt and have the unique opportunity to walk the show jumping course with grand prix riders (and get autographs) following the $20,000 Gamblers Choice class. On Saturday afternoon, younger children will enjoy pony rides, face painting and horse-based learning activities at the Pony Pavilion located just outside the Verizon Center.
More than 60 vendors offering equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry and other unique items are conveniently located on the concourse around the competition arena. Spectators also may bid on more than 60 unique and one-of-a-kind items in the Silent Auction.
WIHS Local Weekend offers local amateur riders, who otherwise may not qualify, a chance to ride at the Washington International. Local children and adult amateur hunter riders based within 100 miles of Washington, D.C. may compete in a qualifying event Oct. 20-22 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md., with the top finishers eligible to ride in the WIHS Local Hunter Finals at the Verizon Center on Sunday, October 29th.
The WIHS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization benefitting local and national charities. Current and past donation recipients include the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, NBC4’s Camp 4 Kids, ASPCA, Childrens’ Inn at the National Institutes of Health, Community Services for Autistic Adults & Children, National Center for Therapeutic Riding, Newspapers in Education, Starlight Starbright Foundation-Midatlantic, and many more.
Horse Show Office: 16063 Comprint Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, (301) 987-9400, Fax: (301) 987-9461, website: www.wihs.org, Executive Director: Susie Webb, [email protected]
Management: Austin Kiplinger, Honorary Chairman of the Board; Jorge J. Carnicero, Chairman; Dr. Sheila C. Johnson, President; Susie Webb, Executive Director; Hugh Kincannon, Show Manager
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