United States Eventing Association

The USEA Classic Series returned to Waredaca Farm in Laytonsville, Maryland, in October, where four horse-and-rider combinations claimed victories in the Modified, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice Three-Day divisions at the Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event.

All four division winners finished on their dressage scores, with each producing fault-free performances throughout endurance day and show jumping. Read on to learn more about the winning combinations and their experiences at Waredaca!

Modified Three-Day | Avery Cascarino and Excel Star Quidam's Cavalier | 30.9

Avery Cascarino and Gloria Cascarino's 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Excel Star Quidam's Cavalier added another accomplishment to their growing list of successes at Waredaca, claiming the Modified Three-Day victory on their dressage score of 30.9.

Cascarino was introduced to horses at an early age through her equestrian family and began taking lessons at just 4 years old. By 10, she had completed her first event, setting the foundation for a competitive career that has continued to develop under the guidance of trainer Caitlin Silliman.

Her winning partner, Excel Star Quidam's Cavalier (Quidam Junior x Kilmoon), known as "Leo," was imported as a 4-year-old through Courtney Cooper's Excel Star program.

"We were looking for a young horse with the potential to be trained to go up the levels and Courtney had just the right match for us!" Cascarino said. "As soon as we met Leo we knew he was the horse we wanted. Since then, we've successfully worked our way up the levels; winning Training level at the USEA [American Eventing Championships] AEC in 2024, winning Area II Championships for Modified two years in a row, and recently completing and winning our first Preliminary division."

With plans to continue competing at the Preliminary level and gain more FEI experience, Cascarino decided the Waredaca Classic would be a fitting conclusion to their 2026 season.

"We chose to compete in the Classic Three-Day because we thought it would be the best way to end our 2026 season and test everything we've learned this year," she said. "We'd always heard great reviews about it, so we decided to give it a shot!"

The pair began the competition with a dressage score of 30.9, taking the early lead in the Modified division. They maintained that position throughout endurance day, adding no jumping or time penalties across any of the phases, including a fault-free cross-country round. A double-clear show jumping performance on the final day secured the victory.

"Leo benefitted a lot from this competition," Cascarino said. "It was our first time at the long-format, and he handled it confidently and safely. It was a great experience for him—especially as we prepare for more FEI events in the future."

Endurance day proved to be a highlight for the pair, offering Cascarino a different perspective on the demands of competition.

"Learning more about pace, and experiencing the different phases was very exciting, and I learned lots of new information I can take into future events," she said.

For riders considering their own Classic Series experience, Cascarino emphasized the importance of arriving prepared for the additional demands of the format.

"The best advice I would offer for someone competing in a long-format is to be sure you have proper preparation for yourself and your horse," she said. "Make sure your horse is fit and prepared for the challenges that they may have to face, and learn what's expected from the rider and how you can best support your horse throughout the event."

Training Three-Day | Kendal Fansler and Milchem Giovanni | 31.1

Kendal Fansler is no stranger to the Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event, but this year's competition offered a new experience as she introduced Hedgerow Farm's 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Milchem Giovanni (Tyson x Milchem Dreamer) to the traditional long-format.

"I started eventing when I was eight years old, after my grandfather found a beautiful six-year-old Connemara pony," Fansler recalled. "That was the beginning of my eventing journey, and I have loved the sport ever since!"

Her grandfather also played a role in bringing her current partner, Milchem Giovanni, known as "Gio," into her life earlier this year. The young horse, whom Fansler acquired in January, is a full sibling to her cousin's horse, Sing To Me Cooley.

"He is a very talented horse with an amazing brain, and over the past ten months, we have built a really strong partnership," Fansler said. "With the support and guidance of my trainer, John Secan, I've learned so much about bringing along a young horse and helping Gio reach his full potential."

Although this was Fansler's fifth year competing in the Waredaca Classic, it was Gio's first experience competing in a Classic Series event.

"It is always one of my favorite shows of the season," she said. "I knew it would be a great learning experience for Gio because the event is so well run and gives horses a chance to learn so much."

Fansler and Gio started their weekend with a dressage score of 31.1 to take the lead in the Training Three-Day. They added no penalties during endurance day, completing all four phases without fault, and returned on the final day to jump double-clear in show jumping. Their final score remained 31.1, securing the Training Three-Day victory.

For Fansler, the most rewarding part of the competition was watching Gio's progression throughout the weekend.

"I think Gio's confidence grew a lot as we moved along throughout the event," she said. "Each phase taught him something new, strengthened our partnership, and helped build even more trust between us. It was so rewarding to see how much he learned over the four days on property and how much more confident he became by the end of the event."

Endurance day was a particular highlight, especially the opportunity to introduce Gio to steeplechase before tackling the cross-country course.

"Having the opportunity to do steeplechase before heading out on the cross-country course helped Gio leave the start box feeling confident, focused, and ready to take on the challenge," she said. "By show jumping day, he came out full of energy, and it was such a great feeling to know that all of our preparation had paid off and that he was fit and ready to finish strong. Jumping the final fence in show jumping and realizing we had won was an incredible feeling and such an amazing way to finish the event."

Fansler hopes other riders will consider adding a Classic Three-Day to their competition schedules, regardless of their experience with the format.

"My advice to anyone thinking about trying the long format is: do it!" she said. "It challenges both the horse and rider mentally and physically, but it is such an incredible experience. Every year, I feel like my horse and I come away stronger, more confident, and more connected. It is a great way to learn, grow, and build an even better partnership with your horse."

She also expressed appreciation for the people who helped make the weekend possible.

"I'm so grateful for the wonderful team behind me, the amazing volunteers who make this event possible, and the awesome friends and family who support me every step of the way," she said. "I'm so excited to see what the future holds for me and this very special horse!"

Novice Three-Day | Gretel Frew and Union Commander | 30.0

For Gretel Frew, winning the Novice Three-Day at Waredaca was the culmination of a goal she had been working toward for more than a year, and another milestone in a partnership that has taken her through multiple disciplines.

Frew was introduced to horses and eventing through her grandmother, Ann McKay, who built a career breeding, training, and selling sport horse Arabians and Arabian crosses. Her aunt and coach, Christine Donovan, also played a significant role in her early riding education, bringing her to competitions and WoW Camps throughout her childhood.

"It got to the point where I would voluntarily pass on family vacations to attend shows and the WoW camps with her!" Frew recalled.

She also participated extensively in the Seneca Valley Pony Club, reaching the C2 level with her current partner, Union Commander, and later competed on the University of Maryland Equitation Team.

Union Commander is a 12-year-old Arabian/Selle Français gelding by Admiral Harnley and out of Touch of Eden, bred by Frew's grandmother. Gretel purchased him as a 3-year-old, and the pair have since explored eventing, dressage, hunters, Pony Club, and foxhunting together.

"Being a green rider on a green horse pushed every possible teenager button I had, and I am forever grateful for Union's continuous forgiveness and willingness to relearn things the right way," Gretel said.

The pair temporarily stepped away from eventing to focus on rideability and correctness over fences in the hunter ring. More recently, Union spent time in New York on lease to another young rider while Gretel studied abroad at university.

"Getting to share him with another Young Rider was one of my major goals for him as well as one of the most heartwarming experiences of my life," she said.

Gretel resumed riding Union in September, with just enough time to qualify and prepare for Waredaca. The Classic Series had long held a special place in her competitive career, having finished second in the Beginner Novice Three-Day at the Maryland Horse Trials in 2019 and second overall, as the highest-placing amateur, in the Waredaca Novice Three-Day in 2020.

"Last fall, I decided that I would make the Novice Three-Day my main focus for 2026 because I knew that my riding and training had made a key turning-point where we could show each phase the respect it deserves," she said. "This meant that while I studied abroad in Australia, I was training in the gym seven days a week to build my strength, balance, and endurance with funny looking exercises because I knew just how physically demanding the competition is."

Frew also credited her experience in the hunters and equitation with helping her approach the competition with a different mindset.

"Cross-training into the hunters and equitation also allowed me to develop the skills and mental game to not just cross the finish flags but rather, to have a safe, happy, obedient, and beautiful round in each phase," she said.

Gretel and Union began their weekend at Waredaca with a dressage score of 28.0, taking the early lead in the Novice Three-Day. They completed the endurance phases without jumping penalties, adding just 2.0 time penalties on cross-country to bring their score to 30.0. A double-clear show jumping round on the final day secured the victory.

"I believe that there is no better way to boost a horse's ego than to experience a Three-Day," Gretel said. "Union is the type of horse that thrives in the high-pressure environment that lets him push limits and fight for the flags so it is safe to say his confidence in himself just took quantum leaps. I could feel him gradually build confidence through each phase, realizing the task at hand and taking more responsibility at each step."

While many competitors point to endurance day as their favorite part of the long format, Gretel found something equally meaningful in the people who made the event possible.

"My favourite part has to be the people," she said. "There is no other competition environment that creates a need for community to such a high degree. Every person, whether they were a competitor, organizer, veterinarian, volunteer, or groom, knew the significance of the show and gave it every ounce of respect it deserves."

That sense of community also shaped the advice she would offer to anyone considering a Classic Three-Day.

"Talk to the people around you with curiosity and kindness," Gretel said. "Asking questions gives you a way to connect and gives those people a way to help. You will only ever benefit from the advice or support given, and it could be the winning-edge that you need."

Beginner Novice Three-Day | Arabelle Armstrong and Rhetorical Question G | 31.5

For Arabelle Armstrong, winning the Beginner Novice Three-Day aboard Lindsay Hafer's 13-year-old Hanoverian mare Rhetorical Question G (Rotwing x She's a Witch) was another exciting first in a season that has seen the young rider and her partner make significant strides together.

Armstrong has been involved with horses for nearly her entire life, growing up in a family whose business, Standing Ovation Equestrian Center LLC, specializes in eventing and dressage while emphasizing a balanced foundation across disciplines.

"I have literally been riding for as long as I can remember," Armstrong said. "I started eventing at the age of seven years old. I feel incredibly lucky to grow up in a family that does horses professionally."

Her winning partner, Rhetorical Question G, known as "Rhet," was purchased as a 4-year-old by Lindsay Hafer from Julie Hagan of Bascule Farm. Hafer developed the horse from green broke through schooling Second Level dressage and Training level eventing before Armstrong eventually took over the ride.

Their earliest experiences together, however, weren't entirely smooth.

"I actually fell off of Rhet during our first official ride," Armstrong recalled. "Despite my initial fall, I continued to sit on Rhet intermittently through my earlier childhood."

Armstrong formally became Rhet's primary rider in the spring of 2025. They spent that season competing primarily in unrecognized Starter divisions before moving up to Beginner Novice in 2026.

"Rhet and I have been cultivating a super close partnership and I think it really is starting to shine through," she said. "We have had a really successful 2026 season together full of learning and firsts including our first Classic Three-Day Event."

The Waredaca Classic was an especially appealing addition to their competition calendar, as Armstrong had long hoped to experience the traditional format at one of her favorite venues.

"A Classic Three-Day Event has long been on my list of goals!" she said. "Waredaca is also one of my favorite competition venues!"

Armstrong and Rhet opened their weekend with a dressage score of 31.5, taking the early lead in the Beginner Novice division. They maintained that position throughout endurance day, adding no penalties across roads and tracks, steeplechase, or cross-country. A double-clear show jumping round secured the wire-to-wire victory, allowing the pair to finish on their dressage score of 31.5.

Beyond the competitive success, Armstrong valued the additional preparation required for the event and the opportunity to assess their readiness for the next level.

"Prepping for the Classic Three-Day brought much knowledge and learning," she said. "We really delved into fitness work and routine. Rhet undoubtedly got fitter and stronger. This was our first time doing the Classic format, and we particularly enjoyed competing and completing Phases A, B, and C."

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Three-Day Event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors and earn leaderboard points. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank bronze sponsors D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, Gallagher’s Water, PulseVet, and SmartEquine, contributing sponsors Bates Saddles and Schneiders Saddlery, and prize sponsor 100xEquine for supporting the USEA Classic Series.