Washington, D.C. - October 20, 2009 - The Washington International Horse
Show kicked-off it's opening day of competition with the professional
hunter divisions at Verizon Center today. Scott Stewart shot to the top
of the leader board with his mounts Declaration and Way Cool.
Declaration took home three blue ribbons with Stewart during the Green
Conformation Hunter division, while Way Cool and Stewart were awarded
two blue ribbons in the First Year Green Working Hunter division. The
Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions also got underway today, with Brad Wolf
and Alex Paradysz claiming top honors over fences.

The Green Conformation Hunter division was the second to be held on Tuesday in the arena at Verizon Center. Stewart and Declaration, owned by
Fashion Farms of New York, NY, swept the model and both over fences
classes. Penelope Ayers and Ravens Wood Farm sponsored this year's
classes, and following the final class Stewart and Declaration were
awarded The Lisa A.H. Cudahy Perpetual Trophy.

Scott Stewart and DeclarationThis was the first time that Declaration
(left) has shown indoors, but he handled it very well. "He hasn't done
any indoor horse shows, so I was just a little bit nervous for him the
first time, but then he was really relaxed," noted Stewart. "He's not
usually spooky about the jumps or anything, but he's never been in such
a tight area. He was good, I was really pleased with him."

The next division to be held was the Green Working Hunters, beginning
with the First Year Hunters. Stewart, of Wellington, FL, was at the top
of the callback list once again with Way Cool. The pair claimed the blue
ribbon in both of the over fences classes, sponsored by The Pryde
Family. Stewart and Way Cool won The Robotyping Challenge Trophy and The
Fairfax Hunt Race Association Challenge Trophy following the completion
of the Second Year Green Working Hunter division for their excellent
performance today.

"I've had Way Cool since he was two-years-old and he's just turned
seven," said Stewart. "I took a little extra time because he used to
jump too high, like really high. He didn't do anything last year; he
stayed in Florida and just got hacked lightly. He just started showing
again in Florida this past season. He's cool because he really jumps
hard and nice; he tries to jump perfect every time."

Stewart did not show at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Last week,
and it was a plan that paid off. "Capital Challenge takes so much out of
the horses," he commented. "It's a great horse show, but there's a lot
of energy involved. I think the horses are fresh because they haven't
really jumped since Capital Challenge; they are feeling a little happy
about doing the jumping again."

Earlier in the day the Regular Conformation Hunters, sponsored by Mrs.
Stephen C. Clark, Jr., competed with Francesca, owned by Pony Lane Farm
of Bluffdale, UT, and Maggie Jayne winning the first over fences class
and garnering The Miss Budweiser Challenge Trophy. Peg Seals won the
handy class with Starstruck, owned by Savannah Jenkins of Virginia
Beach, VA, during the Second Year Green Working Hunter division,
sponsored by the Wasserman Foundation. The pair had an excellent
performance, choosing all the difficult options. The Regular Working
Hunters competed next, and it was Jersey Boy, owned by SBS Farms of
Buffalo, NY, and Jennifer Alfano who took the top prize in the handy
class, by completing a flawless round, besting John French and Overseas
who placed second. Alfano was presented with The Burling Challenge
Trophy for her stellar ride.

The Amateur-Owner divisions were last to show during the day performance
at the Washington International Horse Show. The Amateur-Owner 18-35
Hunters competed first, with Alex Paradysz, of Mill Neck, NY, and Late
Entry winning the blue ribbon over fences. During the Amateur-Owner 36 &
Over Hunter division Brad Wolf, of Memphis, TN, laid down a perfect trip
with Andiamo to earn the top call. Kim Davis and Rustica Farm sponsored
all of today's Amateur-Owner Hunter classes.

Wolf was somewhat nervous about competing today, because he knew Andiamo
can get nervous at indoor shows, but the pair had an excellent day.
"Andiamo felt great, he was well prepared and really calm," smiled Wolf.

Andiamo is a new ride for Wolf, who just purchased the gelding this
year. "I saw him three years ago when he was champion at Devon in the
Working Hunters with John French, and I fell in love with him," he
explained. "I've always watched this horse and I've wanted him ever
since. We heard he was for sale at the end of Florida and I was really
excited."

After Indoors Andiamo will have two months off, but he will then
continue on and compete at the Winter Equestrian Festival with Wolf.
Next year, Wolf's goal is to qualify for the Devon Horse Show.

The Washington International Horse Show will continue tomorrow with the
completion of professional hunter division and the Amateur-Owner Hunter
divisions. Awards will be presented to the High Point Green Working
Hunter, the Grand Champion Hunter, the Leading Hunter Rider, the Grand
Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter, and the Leading Amateur-Owner Hunter
Rider. The show runs through Sunday, October 25, and will conclude with
the presentation of the Grand Champion Pony Hunter prize and the Best
Child Rider Award.

For more information about the Washington International Horse please
visit www.wihs.org

PRESS RELEASE WRITTEN BY JENNIFER WOOD FOR WIHS
ALL PHOTOS BY DIANA DE ROSA