Washington International Horse Show 2026: Kids' Day, World Cup Night, Free Days

Washington International Horse Show 2026: dates, place and prices

The Washington International Horse Show 2026 runs from Monday, October 19 through Sunday, October 25 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Daytime sessions and parking are free, and the biggest class, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington for the President's Cup, is on Saturday night, October 24.

This is the 68th WIHS and its fifth year at the arena, which is part of the Prince George's Equestrian Center. Riders are competing for nearly $1 million in prize money. Some of them have ridden at the Olympics.

• Where: The Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
• When: Oct 19-25, 2026. Daytime classes start between 7 and 8 a.m.
• Cost: Free in the daytime. Ticketed sessions cost $10 to $115 before Ticketmaster fees.
• Parking: Free at all times

That makes WIHS one of the easiest horse shows for kids near DC. You can watch beautiful horses jump for hours without buying a ticket.

WIHS 2026 schedule: what to see each day

Here is the week at a glance, based on the WIHS tickets page. WIHS says all schedules are tentative, so check times before you go.

Thursday: Opening Night Salute to Service

Opening night honors the U.S. military, first responders and teachers. It features two $63,000 jumper classes, the Welcome Stake and the Stars and Stripes Speed Stake.

Adult tickets are $20 and child tickets are $15. WIHS lists 50% off opening night tickets for military, first responders and teachers who show an ID at The Show Place Arena box office or select military ticket offices. It also lists a 50% off code, USA2026, for website visitors to use on Ticketmaster.

Friday: MARS Barn Night

This may be the most fun night for young fans. It includes the brand-new WIHS Pony Jumper Championship, the Shetland Pony Steeplechase (tiny ponies racing over little fences) and a $63,000 Accumulator Costume Class, where top riders jump in costume.

Adults pay $25 and kids pay $20.

Saturday: World Cup Night

The evening starts at 6:15 p.m. with the top 10 work-off of the WIHS Equitation Finals. The World Cup class follows at about 8:20 p.m.

Reserved seats are $40 for adults and $35 for kids. A ticket with a buffet dinner at your seat costs $115 for adults and $100 for kids.

WIHS Kids' Day: free fun on Saturday morning

WIHS Kids' Day is on Saturday, October 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. It is free, and parking is free too.

Here is what WIHS lists for Kids' Day:

• Pony rides
• Face painting and crafts
• A Horseless Horse Show, where kids jump a mini course on foot and win a ribbon
• A mini-pony kissing booth
• A photo with Major, the WIHS mascot
• A meet and greet with Mini McJagger, a famous mini pony (listed on the WIHS FAQ page)
• Special guest horses and ponies

After Kids' Day, families can go inside and watch the competition for free. Kids 18 and under also get a wristband for free entry to the $50,000 CSI2* Ambassador's Cup Grand Prix at 1 p.m. Adults pay $10 for that session.

What is a World Cup qualifier? (Explained for kids)

The World Cup is like a season-long league for the best show jumpers. Riders travel to special shows called qualifiers and earn points when they place well.

Washington is the third stop of the 2026/27 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League. Here is how it works:

1. Riders jump a big, tricky course in the qualifier.
2. The best finishers earn league points.
3. Only a rider's best results count toward the standings.
4. The top riders earn a spot at the World Cup Final. In 2027 the Final is in Gothenburg, Sweden, in March.

The Washington class is rated CSI5-W*. CSI means an international jumping show, five stars is the highest level, and the W means it is a World Cup qualifier. The President's Cup is the trophy's traditional name.

Want to follow the whole season? Read our guide to the FEI Jumping World Cup 2026/27.

What are equitation and pony jumper classes?

WIHS has three kinds of jumping classes. Knowing the difference makes watching much more fun.

Equitation: judging the rider

In equitation, judges score the rider, not the horse. They look at position, balance, quiet hands and smooth control around the course.

The WIHS Equitation Finals invite the top 40 junior riders based on points earned at qualifying shows during the year. The final has three phases. The hunter phase is on Friday and the jumper phase is on Saturday. Then the top 10 come back for a work-off on World Cup Night. Learn more in What Is Equitation?

Pony jumpers: the new championship

In jumper classes, there is no style score. Knocking down a rail or a horse refusing a jump costs faults, and the fastest clear round wins.

The new WIHS Pony Jumper Championship has Small, Medium and Large pony sections. About 24 pony-and-rider pairs qualify through WIHS points, USEF Pony Finals and the WIHS Regional Show. Riders who go clean in the first round come back for a timed jump-off.

Hunters: the smooth and pretty rounds

In hunter classes, judges score the horse. They want a steady pace, good manners and a lovely jumping style. Most daytime classes this week are hunters.

Arena manners for young spectators

Horses are big, strong and easily startled. Good manners keep the horses, riders and you safe.

• Stay quiet during a round. Cheer and clap after the horse finishes or leaves the ring.
• No flash photos. A sudden flash can scare a horse in the middle of a jump.
• Keep away from the in-gate and warm-up area unless a grown-up is with you and you are in a spectator spot.
• Ask before petting. Show horses are working, so always ask the rider or groom first.
• Never feed a horse you don't know, even a treat from your pocket.
• Hold a grown-up's hand around barns, golf carts and horses walking by.
• Don't wave flags, balloons or toys near the rail.

For more tips, visit our safety page and kids' hub.

Family checklist: what to bring and what to watch next

Before you go

• Check the day's schedule on wihs.org. Times can change.
• Buy evening tickets ahead at wihs.org/tickets or Ticketmaster.
• Dress in layers and wear closed-toe shoes for walking near the barns.
• Bring snacks, water and a small notebook to keep score.
• Plan a short visit for little ones. One or two hours of daytime watching is plenty.

What to watch next

• Results: WIHS will post the official results on its website. We will add them here only once they are posted.
• The World Cup season: Riders keep chasing points through winter before the Final in Gothenburg.
• Your own first show: Inspired? Read First Horse Show for Kids and our show prep guide.

WIHS happens every October, so save this guide for next year too. Kids' Day, Barn Night and World Cup Night are some of the show's longest-running traditions.