Washington International Horse Show Announces Miriam Dupree as 2015 Youth Ambassador

Miriam Dupree with her horse Medrano. (Photo Emily Ambach)

WASHINGTON—The Washington International Horse Show (WIHS), one of the world's most prestigious equestrian events, is pleased to announce Miriam Dupree, 17, of Washington, D.C., as 2015 WIHS Youth Ambassador. WIHS also welcomes 22 local teens attending schools in Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. to serve on the 2015 WIHS Junior Committee.

“We have a great group of students joining us this year with an astonishing breadth of accomplishments, interests and dedication to service. They are passionate about horse sports and that’s what brings them to us, but they’re also actively involved in supporting the local community,” said WIHS Executive Director Bridget Love Meehan. “We’re very fortunate to have these future leaders join us to help produce our horse show in the city and bring their ideas and energy to our community events like WIHS Kids’ Day, Barn Night, Military Night and Breakfast with the Mounted Police.”

Dupree is a rising senior at The Potomac School in McLean, Va., where she is a club leader for the Potomac Animal Welfare Society and former captain of the field hockey team. She also is an ambassador for JustWorld International, a volunteer organization helping impoverished children. This summer, Dupree will attend the Cultural Crossroads Leadership program at Wake Forest University and will travel to Vietnam to work as an intern. Her other interests include hiking, backpacking and running.

In her role as WIHS Youth Ambassador, Dupree will serve as the organization’s youth spokesperson and chair the WIHS Junior Committee, a group of students from local area schools, who together initiate and work on horse-related youth programs and community-focused educational events.

“The past few years have been truly amazing,” said Dupree, who has served on the junior committee since 2013 and attended the show since 2011. “The WIHS Junior Committee gives you such great opportunities to work with the most amazing people, inside and outside the ring. It also teaches you about team work, organizing projects and communication.”

An avid horsewoman, Dupree was exposed to horses as a young child. Her mother was an active eventer and fox hunter and her uncle is a racehorse trainer. She has competed extensively in hunter and jumper competition on the East Coast with her two horses, Medrano and Eros, and hopes to qualify to ride at WIHS next year for the first time. She trains with Ian McCartney at The Madeira School.

"The WIHS Junior Committee and Youth Ambassador Program represents the heart of the show,” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell. “Hands on, creative and inclusive, these hardworking teens will help bring together hundreds of horses and literally thousands of kids for a one of a kind equestrian experience in downtown D.C. Frankly we couldn’t do it without them and would like to congratulate and thank each one of them for their commitment to this special event!” said WIHS President Vicki Lowell.

2015 WIHS Junior Committee:

Miriam Dupree, 2015 WIHS Youth Ambassador, 17, The Potomac School

Jocelyn "Jacey" Albaugh, 15, The Madeira School

Madison Allen, 14, Hayfield Secondary School

Hayley Antonelli, 14, Bethesda Chevy Chase High School

Ana Bertozzi, 14, Stone Hill Middle School

Thea Bitar, 13, The Langley School

Charlotte Burch, 15, The Madeira School

Mary Elizabeth Cordia, 16, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School

Adam Edgar, 15, Loudon County High School

Sarah Holladay, 17, Connelly School of the Holy Child

Olivia McCarren, 14, Westland Middle School

Katie McCoy, 15, Yorktown High School

Rachel Michael, 16, The Madeira School

Holden Rafey, 15, Walter Johnson High School

Natalie Ralston, 17, Langley High School

Jenny Searles, 16, Home Schooled

Chace Simmons, 17, Colonial Forge High School

Jennifer Taylor, 14, Mount De Sales Academy

Mollie Thomas, 17, The Madeira School

Louise Whitner, 13, Hill School

Kendall Ann Youngblood, 14, Cooper Middle School

Jenna Zimmerman, 14, Kilmer Middle School

The WIHS Junior Committee and Youth Ambassador Program was created in 2009. Members are selected through an application process that begins in March. For more information, visit http://www.wihs.org/youth-ambassador-junior-committee/.

The 57th annual Washington International Horse Show will return October 20-25, 2015, to Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.