Washington, D.C. – September 18, 2006 – The 2006 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) returns to the Verizon Center this year on October 24-29 in downtown Washington D.C. to host one of the most exciting and innovative horse show events in the country. Barn/Group Night will be showcased on Thursday, October 26 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Barn Night is an evening of excitement, teamwork, and laughter where different local barns and groups will compete for prizes by dressing up to show their barn spirit. Groups are not limited to barns or stables, as they can consist of members from the Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H, Pony Club, or other associations. College and school groups are welcome as well.

Groups will compete for top honors in categories such as “Best Group Spirit,” where groups show their outstanding enthusiasm for the sport. “Largest Group” is where groups show off their people power. “Best Group Essay” is the perfect chance to name their barn’s mascot. The “Grand Champion” title will be the judges’ choice for the best overall group. Participants also walk the course with grand prix riders after the $20,000 Gambler’s Choice show jumping competition, where they can meet the riders and get autographs.

Barn Night has several generous sponsors that held to make this evening special for all the groups who participate. They include Practical Horseman magazine, the United States Hunter Jumper Association, The Equiery magazine, UlcerGard, Gaithersburg Equipment Company, and The Loft at Meadowbrook.

Any local barn or group is eligible for the fantastic prizes that will be awarded. Barns must fill out an entry form at www.wihs.org and order tickets for WIHS through Group Sales, for which they get a $5 discount. Groups must be at least ten people and in order to win the prize for “Largest Group,” all tickets must be purchased by noon on Thursday, October 26.

The “Grand Champion” barn this year has the opportunity to win a water heater, and all barns and groups can join a drawing for a fantastic Kawasaki Mule, which is sponsored by UlcerGard and provided by Gaithersburg Equipment Company. The covered, four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle is a great prize for any working farm.

Each group that wins one of the four special awards will be given a muck bucket full of fabulous prizes and barn supplies, such as Moss Soaps, Leather Therapy, gift certificates, riding books, grooming brushes, equine bathing supplies, and silver bracelets. There will also be prizes for random individual giveaways, and each Barn Night participant will come home with a WIHS t-shirt.

The Washington International Horse Show welcomes all barns and groups to visit the horse show and participate in Barn Night. It’s sure to be an exciting event again this year, so sign up now!

For more information on the Washington International Horse Show, please visit www.wihs.org.