This email came out today:
As a DC local, I’m sad to see this, but happy that WIHS can be hosted at all this year. I fear it’s the end of WIHS in downtown DC. 
I think the same thing, sadly. Though probably better for the competitors and horses.
Edit:
I’m curious why they’re running Local Weekend at Morven again, since PGEC is open for shows again.
Same. Particularly the way the statement about 2022 is worded, I don’t think we’ll see the show back in downtown DC again. Maybe at PGEC but that’s all.
I’m also surprised they’re doing Local Weekend at Morven again. I heard good things about it there last year but if PG is open, why not return there?
I feel for the people who live around Washington and enjoy having the horse show happen downtown. But man, that is not a horse friendly environment. Not the show itself, nor the process of getting them in and out of there.
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PGEC is not suitable for WIHS due to COVID restrictions. Morven Park, with their own stabling and temporary stables, can handle whatever number of competitors decide to show up and it’s a more attractive venue for competitors and spectators, with horse enthusiasts more likely to attend than they would at PGEC.
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Which show are you intending to reference here? WIHS or the Regional Show and Zone finals?
I’m not following your statement about Morven’s stabling and likelihood to attract horse enthusiasts? Certainly there’s never been an issue attracting competitors and spectators to attend Capital Challenge at PGEC in non-COVID years. I went to Zones last year at Morven and the rings/footing was nice, but everything was such a hike that I wasn’t really inclined to spectate the other rings.
I’m disappointed, but understand why they left the two shows at Tryon and Morven this year due to COVID uncertainty. Although BEST has been successfully running their schooling shows at PGEC this year with 150-250 trips per ring per day.
Long term for the main WIHS show I think the only options local to DC are in the city or PGEC. You really need an indoor for that time of year and I don’t believe Morven’s would support the crowds/VIP experience.
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I definitely agree - I showed in Morvens indoor maybe 15 years ago, back when Dec Hunter Classic was still there? Nothing special. I can’t see WIHS going anywhere but PGEC unless there is another arena in the area that would support an urban horse show. Then, you have two “indoors” (cap challenge and WIHS) at PGEC - does it lose its luster?
Yes, the redone outdoor (s? Is there more than one now?) at Morven are nice, but that indoor is not set up for spectators at all. Size-wise I don’t think it’s that far off from PGs, though maybe a bit narrower? A standard dressage ring just fits, and there’s more room on the sides of the dressage ring in the indoor at PG–you can ride easily around the outside of it there, but not at Morven.
PVDA ran their fall dressage show at PGEC last fall, including using the indoor; they’re doing their big June show there, too. BEST, the local series, has been running too, though not with the indoor. Horses have been stabling. I’m not sure why it wasn’t a viable choice–I’ll be curious to see if MDHPS and Cap Challenge run there this year.
Yes, Morven has three outdoors which are very nice, but I can’t see hosting the main WIHS show there.
I hope they don’t move MDHPS to Lexington again this year.
