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

WIHS 2026 results: Lillie Keenan and Kick On win World Cup Washington

Update (2026-10-25): Lillie Keenan (USA) and Kick On won the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Washington for the President's Cup, the biggest class of the Washington International Horse Show 2026, on Saturday night, October 24. Keenan won the jump-off in 36.69 seconds, ahead of two Irish riders.

Here are the top five from the jump-off:

All five went clean in the jump-off, so the clock decided the order. Less than half a second separated Keenan from Coyle.

Meet Kick On, the horse called "Ken"

Kick On is a 12-year-old British-bred stallion. His father is Warrior, and his mother's father is Caretino Glory.

Keenan calls him "Ken." She got him on her birthday, around the time the Barbie movie came out, and because she likes Barbie, she decided he could be her Ken.

When Keenan got him, Kick On was only jumping at about the two-star level, she told Equnews. They grew together as a team, and now they win at five-star level, the highest there is.

From young rider to World Cup winner

Keenan rode ponies at WIHS when she was a child. In 2010, at age 14, she won the WIHS Equitation Finals, the class that judges how well young riders ride.

Now she has won the show's biggest prize too. It is a nice reminder for young riders in the stands: the champions in the ring once started on ponies.

Washington International Horse Show 2026: dates, place and prices (recap)

The 68th WIHS ran from Monday, October 19 through Sunday, October 25 at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. It was the show's fifth year at the arena, which is part of the Prince George's Equestrian Center.

The biggest prize of the week was the $340,000 World Cup class, and some of the riders have competed at the Olympics.

• Where: The Show Place Arena, 14900 Pennsylvania Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
• When: Oct 19-25, 2026. Daytime classes started 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. If the format stays the same next October, you can watch beautiful horses jump for hours without buying a ticket.

WIHS 2026 schedule: how the week went

Here is how the week was laid out, based on the WIHS tickets page. Use it as a guide for next year, but check the new dates and prices on wihs.org.

Thursday: Opening Night Salute to Service

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

Adult tickets were $20 and child tickets $15. WIHS offered 50% off opening night tickets to military members and first responders with an ID at the box office, and posted an online discount code that also mentioned teachers.

Friday: MARS Barn Night

This may have been the most fun night for young fans. It included 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 jumped in costume.

Adults paid $25 and kids paid $20.

Saturday: World Cup Night

The evening started at 6:15 p.m. with the top 10 work-off of the WIHS Equitation Finals. The World Cup class followed, scheduled for about 8:20 p.m., and ended with Keenan's win.

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

WIHS Kids' Day: free fun on Saturday morning

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

Here is what WIHS listed for Kids' Day 2026:

• Pony rides
• Face painting and crafts
• A Horseless Horse Show, where kids jumped a mini course on foot and won 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 could go inside and watch the competition for free. Kids 18 and under also got a wristband for free entry to the $50,000 CSI2* Ambassador's Cup Grand Prix at 1 p.m., while adults paid $10.

Kids' Day is a WIHS tradition, so watch wihs.org for next year's date.

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 was 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. In 2026 the final had three phases: the hunter phase on Friday, the jumper phase on Saturday, and a work-off for the top 10 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 had Small, Medium and Large pony sections. About 24 pony-and-rider pairs could qualify through WIHS points, USEF Pony Finals and the WIHS Regional Show. Riders who went clean in the first round came 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 during the week were 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 for next year's WIHS

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 posts the official results for its classes on wihs.org.
• The World Cup season: Keenan and the other 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. Kids' Day, Barn Night and World Cup Night are some of the show's longest-running traditions.