Neuwirth Sweeps Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championships on Wednesday at 2025 WIHS

The third day of the 2025 Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) recognized the best of the best in the Amateur-Owner Hunters. Irene Neuwirth of Culver City, CA, rode Scout’s Honor to the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship, while she and Heirloom received the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship.

Neuwirth had a banner day with her two young horses. In the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over Hunters, she and Scout’s Honor were fourth over fences and won the under saddle on the first day of competition. They returned on Wednesday to win the handy and stake classes to claim the division championship and the grand champion honors.
Heirloom won three of four classes in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 & Over Hunters and added a fifth place to the tally for the division championship and the overall grand champion ribbon.
“He's a very special horse,” she said of the seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Diarado. “He jumps like he has springs in his shoes. He has a giant stride, and he's very maneuverable.

“He's such a fun horse to ride,” she continued. “He's made me love handy classes. I used to get really nervous and afraid, but he pays attention. You look one way, and he's right there. You push him forward, and he opens his stride really nicely. I think he's a real winner.”

While Neuwirth has had success with “Scout” — they were reserve champions at last year’s WIHS and grand champions at the 2024 Devon Horse Show at the 3’3” height — her partnership with Heirloom is brand new.
“I just bought Heirloom four weeks ago,” she revealed. “I hoped that he would go around, be brave, and we could get our lead changes. I didn't have huge expectations, but every single time I've shown him, he's exceeded them.”
Both of Neuwirth’s champions are small but mighty; Scout stands at 15.2 hands and “Tommy” is only 15.1 hands.

“He’s a natural born hunter,” she said of Tommy, an eight-year-old Italian Warmblood gelding by Acorado. “He wants you to drop your reins. He's tiny, but he has a huge stride.”

Neuwirth works full-time for her fine jewelry company, but when it comes time to horse show, she is laser-focused. “I'm pretty intense with work, with horses, with everything,” she said with a laugh. “I obsess to no end with everything that happens at work, and then once I get focused on the horses, I try to be as present as I can. The AOs are so incredibly competitive. A lot of the women are great friends of mine, and I'm always excited to just be in the mix. I'm thrilled to have won this week."

Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter
Leading Amateur-Owner 3’6” Rider
Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over
Champion: Scout’s Honor, Irene Neuwirth, Irene Neuwirth
Reserve Champion: Camera Ready, Clementina Brown, Clementina Brown

Amateur-Owner 3’6” 18-35
Champion: Daydream, Mimi Gochman, Gochman Sport Horse LLC
Reserve Champion: Colter, Mimi Gochman, Sophie Gochman

Grand Champion Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter
Leading Amateur-Owner 3’3” Rider
Bucky Reynolds Memorial Award
Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 & Over
Champion: Heirloom, Irene Neuwirth, Irene Neuwirth
Reserve Champion: Cadet, Stephanie Danhakl, Stephanie Danhakl

Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35
Champion: Bordeaux, Brittany Warden, Glebe Ventures LLC
Reserve Champion: Arabesque, Clara Propp, Aquitaine Equine

The 2025 WIHS continues on Thursday, October 23, with grand championships for junior hunters, the start of the WIHS Equitation Finals, and the first evening competition featuring the international jumpers in the $63,000 Welcome Stake and the $63,000 Stars and Stripes Speed Stake. The entertaining Racing Presidents from the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball team will run the jump-off course for the opening class of the night. Don’t miss a minute – buy your tickets now at www.wihs.org/tickets.