$9.85M Funneled Into Local Economy By 64th Annual Washington International Horse Show

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The 64th Annual Washington International Horse Show held October 2022 in Prince George's County contributed $9.85 million to the county's local economy.

An economic impact study conducted by Stephen S. Fuller, professor emeritus at George Mason University, showed direct spending by the WIHS to stage the show, in addition to the spending by vendors, exhibitors, spectators and competitors, totaled $7.045 million over the course of the seven-day event.

As a result of this direct spending, another $2.055 million was generated in new personal earnings for employees residing in Prince George’s County due to re-spending of payroll and business income by employees, vendors and exhibitors before and after shows, the report revealed.

The economic impact study also showed that the WIHS attracted a large number of visitors to Prince George’s County, with more than 15,000 spectators from across the country and world attending. The WIHS also drew approximately 1,450 vendors, exhibitors and participants including competitors, owners and trainers, managers and show-related support personnel. The WIHS supported 69 full-time, year-round equivalent positions, with approximately 45 of the positions being occupied by county residents.

“We are so excited to learn that last year’s Washington International Horse Show had such a significant impact on our local economy, which was one of the many reasons our team sought to bring this prestigious event back to Prince George’s County,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “I’ve often said that greatness grows in Prince George’s, so we were proud to have the opportunity to host some of the most talented equestrian riders from across the country and world right here in our county. We want to thank the WIHS board of directors and our partners for all of their efforts to make this event a huge success and look forward to welcoming them back to Prince George’s this October.”

Last year's horse show, held at The Show Place Arena at Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, marked both the first time the show was hosted in the county in more than 20 years and its return to the Washington, D.C., region after two years. It will be held this year at the same location Oct. 23-29.

For more information about the WIHS, visit the WIHS website at: https://wihs.org/