Mangano Mackenzie and Chambers Debut Horses for Regional Victories at 2024 WIHS

The WIHS Regional Hunter Finals were the feature classes of the opening day at the 2024 Washington International Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™ on Monday, October 21. Christina Mangano Mackenzie rode Good to Go, owned by Chad Keenum, to victory in the WIHS Regional Hunter Finals for Horses, while Zoey Chambers and Highlight, owned by Suzanne Chambers, were best in the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals.

Mangano Mackenzie of Upperville, VA, piloted her new mount in their first indoor competition to a score of 86 for victory. She purchased the nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Rotspon in June 2024, and they competed at a handful of shows before qualifying at the WIHS Regional Horse Show this past weekend.

Mangano Mackenzie was a competitive junior rider before taking a 20-plus year break from riding. When her three children were old enough to start riding, she started looking again for a horse for herself. “I gave my trainer Christine [Fiore] a long laundry list of items that I was looking for, and he was the first one I sat on. He was really good to go,” she recalled. “He's sweet, easy, and like a puppy dog. He’s a dream horse.”

Good To Go lives at home with Mangano Mackenzie and they often trail ride. This was the horse’s first time showing indoors. “I was proud that it went well,” she expressed. “It’s a lot to get here with just one horse, so I was thankful for everyone that helped along the way to get me here.

“Coming here as a junior, this was THE big show,” she continued. “I competed at US Air Arena and the Verizon Center. This is more ideal to get ready for the classes here. It just means so much to win at WIHS. I didn’t think I would do this well, but I’m so happy.”

Second place went to Fan Favorite, ridden and owned by Kate Chan, who scored 85. They were also honored, along with groom Sue Jarboe, with The Clothes Horse Best Turned Out Horse award. Kirsty Welch rode Zealand, owned by Grace Walker, to third place with a score of 81. The WIHS Regional Hunter championship went to Zealand and Welch, while Mangano Mackenzie and Good To Go were reserve champions.

With a score of 86 as well, Zoey Chambers of Owings, MD, piloted Highlight, a seven-year-old German Riding Pony gelding by Dreiklang AT, to first place in the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals.

Speaking of her trip around the Show Place Arena, Chambers described, “The beginning of the course was kind of hard because it's his first time here, but he made out well and he was really good. At the beginning, my mom was telling me to get the gallop that I needed to go to the first jump and to have a good pace throughout the course.

“I've had him only a few months,” noted the 12-year-old rider. “He's really improved since we've had him at the beginning to now, and I'm really proud of him.”

Second place went to Gypsy’s Sweetheart, ridden by Grace Fennell and owned by Patty Davis. They scored an 85. Kinsley Sutherland and Jamrock, owned by Marina Willson Shirkey, were third with an 83.

Lane Costa and her own Love Letters won the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Championship, while Chambers and Highlight were reserve champions.

The 2024 WIHS continues on Tuesday, October 22, with the conclusion of the professional hunter divisions, as well as the start of the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions. The day’s competition wraps up with the WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship and WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian.