(Washington, DC) – October 13, 2025 – The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) a world-class championship event, drawing leading equestrian riders from around the nation and the world officially renamed the President’s Cup Grand Prix to the Gerald R. Ford President’s Cup Grand Prix, in honor of former president and horse enthusiast Gerald R. Ford.
The President’s Cup Grand Prix commenced with a special dedication ceremony, where the WIHS celebrated the renaming of the show’s most prestigious and coveted event with members of the Ford family including Susan Ford Bales. Following the ceremony, Twenty-five riders raced against the clock to complete 10-14 jumps, ranging in height from 4’ to 5’3” with a spread of five to six feet for the title of Grand Champion and a total purse of $30,000. Black Ice ridden by Jill Henselwood rose to the occasion with an impressive jump-off time of 32.11 seconds. Susan Ford Bales presented the President of The United States Perpetual Cup trophy in honor of her father.
In recognition of her unwavering support and leadership, the WIHS also inaugurated Sheila C. Johnson into the WIHS Hall of Fame tonight. For almost a decade, Johnson has served as a longtime exhibitor, generous sponsor, dedicated member of the Board of Directors and WIHS President and Chairman of the board. Past honorees include H. Fenwick Kollock, 2002; Austin H. Kiplinger 2001; Kenneth & Sallie Wheeler, 2000; and Jane Dillon 1999.
“It’s an honor to have a supporter and leader of Sheila’s stature. We are gracious her generous support, invaluable leadership and the tireless energy she has dedicated to the WIHS for the past decade. She’s guided the WIHS to its most successful years in the Verizon Center and it’s with great honor that we welcome her to the WIHS Hall of Fame,” said Susan Webb, Executive Director of the WIHS.
The WIHS announced today that it will donate seven hundred tons of the arena footing to the Mounted U.S. Park Police, valued at $14,500. The donated footing, called lime sand, is a mixture of lime stone siftings and sand. The mixture is specially designed to cushion the horses’ steps, allowing them to compete with minimal impact to their legs and bodies. The WIHS ceremoniously presented Lieutenant Stacey Collins of the Mounted U.S. Park Police with a small portion of the footing during tonight’s performance.
During the day portion of the competition, Jenn Serek riding Bottom Line, placed first with a score of 22 points completed in 47.73 seconds. Trailing behind Serek by only 1/10th of a second with 22 points was Ideflix 099 ridden by Lauren Hough and in third place with a time of 50.22 seconds was Ralvesther ridden by Brianne Goutal.
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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