Photo by Hannah Jones Photography
MARS Barn Night moves to Friday and includes some of the world’s best show jumpers in Halloween costumes racing to win the Accumulator class.
Washington International Horse Show Returns in 2025 With Enhanced Schedule, New Footing, Same Legendary Excitement
By PRESS OFFICER
WIHS
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (July 14, 2025)—The magic, the memories, and the absolute best of indoor show jumping return with the 2025 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) presented by MARS Equestrian™ in The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center on October 20–26. With nearly $1 million in prize money, a star-studded lineup of Olympic-caliber athletes, family-friendly fun, and an elevated experience for all, this year’s WIHS is set to be best-in-class on every level.
WIHS is turning up the energy, raising the bar, and meeting the expectations of riders and fans alike with major updates to its event schedule and footing—all designed to enhance competition, audience excitement, and the indoor quality that only WIHS can deliver.
A Revamped Schedule Will Have Everyone Cheering
Military Night is now on Thursday, October 23, featuring the $63,000 Welcome Stake for international jumpers and the new $63,000 Stars and Stripes Speed Stake, where speed, precision, and patriotic spirit shine, and competitors ride for the Eisenhower Cup Trophy. Who will be the fastest rider of the night?
By popular demand, MARS Barn Night moves to Friday, October 24, and it’s bringing a full evening of fun! Get ready for the wildly entertaining $63,000 Accumulator Costume Class, where elite riders and their horses compete in full Halloween regalia. Plus, fans can meet their idols during an autograph signing, cheer for their favorite barns, participate in a variety of contests for fantastic prizes, and enjoy the fan-favorite WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase Championship Race. This year’s MARS Barn Night theme is “Wild for WIHS,” so start planning your safari-themed outfits!
In her debut appearance at WIHS, internationally acclaimed equestrian performer Sylvia Zerbini will captivate the audience on Friday night with her own magical troupe of 12 Arabian horses at liberty. Zerbini is a ninth-generation circus artist, and the former Cavalia and Ringling Circus star and trainer has amazed and enchanted more than 10 million fans worldwide.
Mark on your calendar in bold for Saturday night, October 25, when the $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W takes center stage, welcoming the world’s top show jumping athletes. Earlier in the evening, the WIHS Equitation Final Work-Off will showcase the top 10 junior riders trading mounts in one of the most prestigious junior finals in the country.
Don’t miss Kids’ Day presented by Delta Air Lines on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It’s a free, rain-or-shine family event full of pony rides, crafts, a pony kissing booth, plus daytime access to the horse show at no charge. Sylvia Zerbini and her Grande Liberté horses will perform again on Saturday afternoon. Kids’ Day is an unforgettable introduction to the magic of horses and the world of WIHS.
New Footing, Elevated Performance
WIHS aims for excellence every year. In 2025, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is joining WIHS as a Platinum-level sponsor investing in brand-new footing that meets the highest standards of safety, comfort, and performance. This new competition surface provides optimal traction, cushioning, and stability—delivering a dust-free, forgiving arena for peak equine performance all week long.
Provided by Footing First and installed by JTWG, Inc., the footing will be exclusive to WIHS.
To ensure this world-class experience for spectators and competitors continues, WIHS has reached an agreement with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission to secure its home at Prince George’s Equestrian Center through 2028, reinforcing its commitment to growth, consistency, and the enduring evolution of one of America’s most iconic indoor shows.“
WIHS has evolved over 67 years and five different locations,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “We have found a welcoming and supportive home through 2028 at Prince George’s Equestrian Center and with the Town of Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County, and the State of Maryland. We have embraced this venue and know that we can continue to find ways to set new standards for the sport there. The facility is incredibly horse friendly, and we consider athlete, spectator, and all stakeholders’ feedback every year to make WIHS a superior experience. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to WIHS in 2025 and beyond.”
Don’t Miss the Magic of Washington
With an upgraded schedule, enhanced competition surface, and unforgettable entertainment, the 2025 Washington International Horse Show is set to deliver an experience like no other. Join us as we celebrate the return of magic, meet the moment with excellence, and raise the bar once again for indoor equestrian sport.
The horse show prize list and tickets on Ticketmaster will be available soon—so stay tuned, and get ready to experience the thrill, tradition, and excitement of WIHS like never before. For more information, visit www.wihs.org.
Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America’s most prestigious, competitive, and entertaining equestrian events with competition for international, professional, amateur, junior and child riders. Highlights include the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington CSI5*-W for the President’s Cup, the WIHS Equitation Finals and Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Championships, top national hunters and jumpers, plus popular community and charity events. WIHS is an official USEF Heritage Competition. For more information, visit wihs.org.
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M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Board Welcomes New Chairman Darryl Barnes
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
LARGO, Md. (July 14, 2025) —The Prince George’s County Planning Board of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) welcomes The Honorable Darryl Barnes as Chairman of the five-member Planning Board. Appointed by Prince George’s County Executive Aisha N. Braveboy and confirmed by the Prince George’s County Council following a public hearing, Barnes was sworn in on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Barnes will serve a four-year term expiring on June 14, 2029.
“I am extremely humbled by this opportunity and excited to have broader conversations on Land use planning and zoning, park acquisition and development, recreation programs, stewardship of natural, cultural, and historical assets,” said Chairman Barnes. “When you look at the two operating departments for planning and parks and recreation, there is nothing but opportunity for upward growth.”
Barnes joins Prince George’s County Planning Board members: Vice Chair Dorothy F. Bailey and Commissioners Manuel Geraldo and A. Shuanise Washington. He presided over his first Planning Board meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2025. In addition to serving on the Prince George’s County Planning Board, the Planning Board members work with their colleagues on the Montgomery County Planning Board and meet monthly as the M-NCPPC’s full Commission. Barnes succeeds former Prince George’s County Planning Board Chair, Peter A. Shapiro, whose term ended on June 14, 2025.
“I warmly welcome Darryl Barnes to the Commission and look forward to continuing to collaborate on regional issues as we work to advance the shared goals of the Commission and our counties,” said M-NCPPC Montgomery County Planning Board Chair Artie Harris.
About Darryl Barnes
The Honorable Darryl Barnes brings a deep understanding of the region from his eight years of service in the State of Maryland legislature and more than 20 years of entrepreneurship experience. As president of Barnes International, Ltd., he led strategic consulting and coordinated grassroots campaigns for clients in government, healthcare, education, and private sectors. Barnes launched and served as president and CEO of the Bi-County Business Roundtable where he promoted small business growth and wealth creation for a vibrant climate in the State of Maryland.
From 2015 to 2023, Barnes served in the Maryland General Assembly as a State Delegate, representing Legislative District 25. During his tenure, he served among the highest-ranking members of the House of Delegates as Chief Deputy Majority Whip. He also was the Chairman of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus—elected for three consecutive terms to the largest black caucus in the United States. Barnes was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Maryland Veterans Caucus as well as the Chairman of the Revenues and Local Revenues subcommittee.
A true community advocate, Barnes was the founder and president of Men Aiming Higher, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes at-risk young men through educational tutoring, leadership training, mentoring programs, and community service projects. He served as a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Bowie State Foundation, Maryland Veterans Caucus, Prince George’s County School Construction Master Plan Workgroup, and the Board of Governors for The Tower Club.
Barnes earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Long Beach State College in California. He pursued leadership studies at The George Washington University and obtained a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Barnes has resided in Prince George’s County for nearly five decades, attended and graduated from Prince George’s County Public Schools, and served our country in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army respectfully.
The Prince George’s County Planning Board, together with the Montgomery County Planning Board, make up The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission—a bi-county agency established by State law in 1927 to acquire, develop, maintain, and administer a regional system of parks and administer a general plan for the physical development of both counties. In Prince George’s County, the agency also administers the public recreation program. The Planning Board’s responsibilities include supervising preparation of land use plans and
comprehensive zoning maps, advising the County Council on zoning map amendment and special exception applications, and reviewing and approving site plans and subdivisions. The Board also oversees the Commission’s work in the County, as carried out by the Parks and Recreation and Planning Departments. In Prince George’s County, the Planning Board’s full-time Chair and four part-time members are appointed by the Prince George’s County Executive and confirmed by the Prince George’s County Council, serving overlapping four-year terms. Visit www.pgplanningboard.org for more information.
Founded in 1927, The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a nationally recognized leader in land use planning, parks, and recreation achieving countless awards for innovation, stewardship and exemplary vision for enhancing the lives of current and future generations. The agency, which is chartered by the State of Maryland, has geographic authority in the Montgomery County and Prince George’s County region, which are the two Maryland counties surrounding Washington, DC. The Commission is comprised of seven distinct departments, each led by their respective Department Head. The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, and the Prince George’s County Planning Department carry out services for the Prince George’s County region. Montgomery Parks and Montgomery Planning carry out services for Montgomery County. Bi-county corporate management is carried out by the Department of Human Resources and Management, the Department of Finance, and the Office of the General Counsel. Other Bi-county functions include the Office of Inspector General, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Merit System Board. The Commission’s governing body is comprised of ten Commissioners, five appointed to the Montgomery Planning Board and five appointed to the Prince George’s County Planning Board, which have oversight of decisions for the Montgomery and Prince George’s region.
Assistance
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org, or complete the online form.
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