$100,000 PRESIDENT’S CUP GRAND PRIX RENAMED IN HONOR OF 38th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES GERALD R. FORD
Black Ice and Jill Henselwood Soar to Victory in 2007 $100,000 Gerald R. Ford President’s Cup Grand Prix
WASHINGTON, DC (October 13, 2025) - The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a world-class equestrian event drawing Olympic-caliber competitors from around the nation and the world, made history this evening by dedicating its centerpiece competition in honor of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford. The President’s Cup was officially renamed to the Gerald R. Ford President’s Cup Grand Prix at the Verizon Center.
Joining the dedication ceremony was President Ford’s daughter, Susan Ford Bales. “On behalf of the Ford Family, I want to express our deep appreciation to the Washington International Horse Show for bestowing this honor in memory of my father,” stated Ms. Ford Bales during the honorary tribute. Speaking to the crowd, Ms. Ford Bales continued, “Additionally, my thanks and gratitude go out to each and every spectator in attendance since a portion of the proceeds will be donated to a facility that bears my mother’s name, The Betty Ford Center.” The funds donated to the Center will be used for its recently opened Equine Therapy Program.
“We are honored to pay tribute to our 38th President of the United States by renaming the President’s Cup Grand Prix,” said Susan Webb, Executive Director of the Washington International Horse Show. “President Ford’s remarkable legacy of courage, leadership and dedication to his country will continue to live on through his passion for horses at the WIHS for years to come.”
The show’s highlight competition showcased Jill Henselwood expertly piloting Black Ice to capture the honor of winning the inaugural Gerald R..Ford President’s Cup Grand Prix and the top purse of $30,000. The Richard Jeffrey designed course proved to test horse and rider throughout the course, especially at the last line of four obstacles.
While difficult, the first round course was successfully completed by six of the 22 starters. First course clean rounds were turned in by Carlos Boy and Ken Berkley, Onira and Brianne Goutal, Olinda and Todd Minikus, Cincinnati Kid and Schuyler Riley, Black Ice and Jill Henselwood, and Southern Pride and Karen Cudmore.
Riders returned for the jump off with Ken Berkley and Carlos Boy setting the pace with a clean round in the time of 34.73. Next to go was Brianne Goutal and Onira who took over the lead by almost two full seconds with a clear round in the time of 32.02. Goutal held the lead until Todd Minikus swept Olinda around the course with a clean round in a blazing time of 32.37. Schuyler Riley and Cincinnati Kid conquered the course in a time of 35.24, but had eight faults that ultimately placed them in sixth place overall. Next in the ring was Canadian Jill Henselwood and Black Ice. The crowd, instantly silenced, watched Henselwood pilot Black Ice around the shortened course in a clear and unbeatable time of 32.11. While the Gerald R. Ford President’s Cup Grand Prix winner had one last horse/rider combination to go, it was clear, that the winner would be a Canadian. Last to challenge Henselwood and Black Ice, was fellow Canadian Karen Cudmore on the brilliant Southern Pride. Southern Pride jumped to the challenge of clearing all obstacles but in a slower time of 35.10 that culminated in a fifth place finish.
Final top placings included:
1st place: Black Ice and Jill Henselwood ($30,000)
2nd place: Olinda and Todd Minikus ($22,000)
3rd place: Onira and Brianne Goutal ($13,000)
4th place: Carlos Boy and Ken Berkley ($8,000)
5th place: Southern Pride and Karen Cudmore ($6,000)
6th place: Cincinnati Kid and Schuyler Riley ($5,000)
About The Washington International Horse Show (www.wihs.org):
The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization benefiting local and national charities, is a world-class championship event, drawing leading equestrian riders from around the nation and the world. Each year riders participate in qualifying shows to earn the honor of riding at the WIHS. The WIHS welcomes more than 600 horse and rider duos to compete to win some of the most coveted and prestigious awards in the world, including more than $400,000 in prize money. The show takes place every October in Washington, DC, attracting the attention of the equestrian world, non-equestrian world, celebrities and politicos alike with events such as show jumping, dressage, barrel racing and terrier races. October 2008 will mark the 50th anniversary of the WIHS.
The Washington International Horse Show is supported by the following 2007 sponsors: Salamander Hospitality, LLC, Hidden Trail Farm, LLC, FTI Consulting, Inc., Merial, LTD (UlcerGard), Monica & Hermen Greenberg, Canadian National Railway Company (CN), Monarch International, Gotham North, St. Michelle Wine Estates, Lynn Ellen Rice & Last Name Left Productions, Pat Carleton & The Cottonwood, Ltd., Pedigree/Masterfoods, Crawford Communications, Shalanno Farm, Tara Management, Tad Coffin Performance Saddles, Halstrum, LLC/Lubrisyn, Brooke Carmichael McMurray-Fowler & Pam Carmichael Keenan, JPC Equestrian, Betty & Ernie Oare, Berkley Underwriting Partners, LLC & EMO Insurance Agency, Inc., The Reid Family, Hillary Stiff & Chris & Nalini Rogers, Platinum Performance, Far Niente Stables, LLC and Cornell University.
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