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October 10, 2022
 
Allison Smith Selected as the 2022 WIHS Honor and Service Award Recipient

This year, the Washington International Horse Show Honor and Service Award, sponsored by the EQUUS Foundation, is being presented to Allison Smith.

Allison Smith Selected as the 2022 WIHS Honor and Service Award Recipient
Left: Allison Smith started volunteering at Days End Farm Horse Rescue at 9 years old
Right: Allison Smith with Irish after a Pony Club competition.

Allison Smith embodies the values of honor and service in her community and represents hundreds of thousands of young people devoted to the welfare of America's horses.

As a child of military parents, not only has Allison endured the stress of having both her parents deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during her childhood, but she has had to move four times already in her life. Moving has meant new homes, new teachers, new friends, and new extracurricular activities.

Although only 14 years old, she has persevered these hardships with resiliency and honor and has found strength in serving her local horse community. Throughout her life, Allison's love of horses and the equestrian community has been a constant.

Allison has been volunteering at Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Woodbine since 2017. Her service at Days End includes performing farm chores, leading tours, helping at fundraising events, educating school and scouting groups about proper horse care, and providing outreach to the community about Days End Farm Horse Rescue's mission of saving horses and creating a world without equine cruelty.

Allison also volunteers with her mother, Stephanie, for the US Eventing Association as a cross country jump judge. Allison has such a passion for horses and volunteering that in the past three years alone she has completed 178 hours of volunteer time with Days End Farm Horse Rescue and US Eventing Association.

Allison Smith Selected as the 2022 WIHS Honor and Service Award Recipient
Left to Right: Stephanie Smith, Allison Smith, and Major Kevin Smith, USMC, Retired
Allison Smith Selected as the 2022 WIHS Honor and Service Award Recipient

Allison regularly takes English riding lessons at Defying Gravity Eventing and Talbot Run Equestrian Center. Her favorite horses are Willie and Irish.

Allison is a member of the US Pony Club Capitol Region team and a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Dressage team at the Talbot Run Riding Center.

Allison recently completed her Girl Scout Silver Award Project entitled "Equestrian Helmet Safety Awareness". She spent over 60 hours teaching other riders about the importance of wearing appropriate helmets while riding.

In learning that she was selected as this year's recipient, Allison said, "It's really awesome to receive this award. I enjoy volunteering at Days End Farm Horse Rescue and with my mom at USEA competitions. I'm really grateful to be a military child and would like to show my gratitude to those who have served. Thanks also to my riding coaches Courtney and Robin."

Allison will be recognized by WIHS and EQUUS Foundation during a ceremony in the show arena on Friday, October 28th. Allison selected Days End Farm Horse Rescue to receive a $1,500 grant from the EQUUS Foundation.

The WIHS Honor and Service Award was created in 2013 following the induction of Klinger into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame in 2013. Klinger, a member of the Caisson platoon of the 3d United States Infantry (The Old Guard), was the inspiration for the award and its first recipient. The Honor and Service Award recognizes a horse, individual, or organization that best demonstrates the values of honor and service as embodied by Klinger.

Learn more the Honor and Service Award here.




ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses from peril and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.

ABOUT WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America's most prestigious, competitive and entertaining equestrian events with competition for international, professional, amateur, junior and child riders. Highlights include the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington for the President's Cup and the WIHS Equitation Finals, plus community and charity events. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competition, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. For more information, visit www.wihs.org.