Press release from Washington International Horse Show, edited by World of Showjumping

MARS Barn Night, presented by Walkenbach Equestrian, packed a full slate of entertainment and competition in a full house of spectators on Friday, October 24, at the 2025 Washington International Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Starting the night off with a blazing-fast win in the CSI5*-W 1.45m $63,000 Accumulator Costume class was Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Corrie 9 (Comme Il Faut x Arpeggio), owned by Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC. The class was followed by special awards, a stunning exhibition by Sylvia Zerbini and her 12 Arabian horses in “Grande Liberté,” and the WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase, sponsored by Artemis Farm.

Twenty-three costumed riders and their horses took to the course in the CSI5*-W 1.45m $63,000 Accumulator Costume class designed by Nick Granat (USA), and they accumulated points for every jump cleared. Eight were clear over the entire course, including the final joker jump, for 65 points. The fastest over that course was Rodrigo “Maverick” Pessoa riding Corrie 9 in 47.32 seconds. “Mr. Incredible” Daniel Coyle (IRL) and Incredible (Clinton x Heartbreaker), owned by Coyle and Ariel Grange, were second-fastest in 47.51 seconds. Finishing third with a time of 49.13 seconds was McLain “American Flag” Ward (USA) and First Lady (Don Diarado x Lordanos), owned by Robin Cleary Parsky.

Pessoa only chose his outfit earlier in the day while sightseeing with his daughter Lucia and a friend in downtown Washington, D.C. Noting that Corrie is “like a little fighter jet,” he chose an appropriate costume.

Continuing to describe his mount, Pessoa said, “She’s very, very careful and very fast as well. She’s always game. She had a fun schedule this week and jumped a bit lower than normal. With a third place last night and winning today, I was super pleased with her. Going in the ring, you know that you always have a chance with her.”

Despite not having a horse for the Grand Prix, Pessoa made the decision to attend as it’s a “traditional horse show on the calendar.” He added, “The facility is really good. We still wanted to come and compete. The atmosphere tonight at Barn Night was great. It’s always a pleasure to compete here.”

Action at the 2025 Washington International Horse Show will come to a head on Saturday, October 25, as the venue comes to life in anticipation of the evening’s CSI5*-W 1.60m $340,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™️ Washington, presented by Maryland Sports Commission. Daytime competition will highlight the pony hunters before junior and amateur riders once again vie for the win in the junior/amateur jumper classics. The country’s best junior equitation riders will close out daytime competition with the final jumper round of the WIHS Junior Equitation Final, and the top 10 work-off will start the evening session competition. Outside of The Show Place Arena from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a variety of activities will take place during Kids' Day, presented by Delta, including face painting, pony rides, horseless jumping, crafts, and more.