United States Eventing Association

Looking Back at the 2022 USEA Classic Series

The USEA is so incredibly proud to allow the thrill of the 'chase to live on for those who want to experience the unforgettable rush of the classic long format three-day event through our USEA Classic Series events. Long-format events from the Beginner Novice to Preliminary levels are still a reality with the USEA Classic Series and include roads and tracks, steeplechase, and cross-country on "endurance day," as well as horse inspections. In addition, educational activities are offered at the USEA Classic Series Events to help prepare competitors, especially those who are contesting their first-ever long format event.

Over the course of the 2022 season, there were eight horse trials that hosted USEA Classic Series divisions all over the country. In total, 20 long-format divisions were made available to USEA members at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, and Preliminary levels. Completing a USEA Classic Series event is no easy feat. Competitors should put in months of preparation to ensure the fitness levels of both themselves and their horses are in check prior to the event. The USEA congratulates the 243 riders who participated in a USEA Classic Series event this year, especially the 2022 Champions listed below.

IEA Horse Trial | June 3-5, 2022 | Edinburgh, Indiana

The Training Three-Day Winner at the IEA Horse Trial was Arielle Ferrell riding her 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Parkmore’s Miss Demeanor (Parkmore’s Pride x Eloping). Photo by Leah Vasquez.

Kyla Tovar piloted her 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Kilcoltrim Jacko (Jack of Diamonds x Sky Rise) to the win in the IEA Novice Three-Day division. Photo by Xpress Foto.

Summer Coconino Horse Trials | July 8-10, 2022 | Flagstaff, Arizona

Nothing is better than winning your USEA Classic Series division, except maybe winning your division while your student wins their USEA Classic Series division as well! Trainer Brittany Caflisch got to experience just that as she rode her 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Balance Due (Redding Colliery x Stage Five Clinger) to the win in the Novice Three-Day division at Coconino and her student, Jaeli Uselding, won the Beginner Novice Three-Day division simultaneously.

Jaeli Uselding brought home the blue ribbon in the Beginner Novice Three-Day aboard Sarah Uselding’s 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding My Fair Prince (Congrats x Black Oak).

Event at Rebecca Farm | July 20-24, 2022 | Kalispell, Montana

In the Rebecca Farm Training Three-Day it was Marissa Nielsen who emerged victorious with Black DiAmond Partner’s 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Ozzie (Well Done x Zina). Photo courtesy of Nielsen.

Raquel Egdes brought home the win in the Novice Three-Day aboard her own 6-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Ardeo Refined (Numero Cruise x Mountain Beauty). Courtney Drake Photography photo.

Park Equine Kentucky Classique H.T. | September 2-4, 2022 | Lexington, Kentucky

Winning the Park Equine Kentucky Classique H.T. Beginner Novice Three-Day was Hannah Reeser riding Virginia Reeser’s 8-year-old Morgan mare Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (October Fox x Abby Darling).

Spokane Sport Horse Farm Horse Trials | September 29-October 2, 2022 | Spokane, Washington

In the Spokane Training Three-Day, it was Canadian rider Naomi Dell who topped the field aboard her 14-year-old Warmblood gelding Aramis W (Apanarde x Melissa W). Photo by Afillyate Photo.

Another Canadian brought home the top honors in one of Spokane’s Classic Series divisions as Mya Hill piloted her own 9-year-old Welsh cross gelding Keystone (The Key x Another Candle) to the win in the Novice Three Day. Shannon Brinkman photo.

The champions of the Spokane Beginner Novice Three-Day division are no strangers to the USEA Classic Series format or the winner’s circle. Kady Ellifritz and her 18-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Yankee Bay (Yankee Victor x Near Mint) brought home the blue ribbon in this same division at Spokane last year. Courtney Drake Photography photo.

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event & Team Challenge | October 19-23, 2022 | Lexington, Kentucky

Ashley Kehoe was excited to use the Hagyard Training Three-Day as an opportunity to continue her young horse Daktaris’ (Dinkin x Europa VIII) education. Winning the division was truly the icing on the cake! Photo by Xpress Foto

Waredaca Three-Day Event and H.T. | October 21-23, 2022 | Laytonsville, Maryland

Winning the Preliminary Three-Day with an eight-point lead was Michelle Kuchta riding Sandra Holden’s 9-year-old Holsteiner gelding Chiraz (Cayado x Asquetta). Photo by Erin Gilmore.

Lisa Morrison and her 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Entre les Etoiles (Emilion x Madalon) rose to the top of the field in the Training Three-Day. Photo by Kate Servais/Flatlandsfoto

With 44 entries, the competition was destined to be tight in the Novice Three-Day at Waredaca but Madeline Bletzacker and her 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Drummer Boy (Don Principe x Winterzauber) were untouchable from start to finish. Photo courtesy of Bletzacker.

In the Beginner Novice Three-Day, it was Nancy Read and her 7-year-old Oldenburg gelding Classic Chrome PCH (Con Capilot x Southern Belle) who emerged victorious over the large 30-pair field. Photo courtesy of Nancy Read

Ram Tap Horse Park Horse Trials | November 18-20, 2022 | Fresno, California

In the Training Three-Day, it was Charlotte Freeman riding her 5-year-old Oldenburg mare Graceland’s Ladera (Libero Star x Rittersporn) who rose to the top of the pack. Photo by Tina Fitch photography. Photo courtesy of Freeman.

Sofia Seto rode Nicole Peterson’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Armi to the win in the Novice Three-Day division. Their dressage score of 33.3 placed them in third initially, but the pair’s consistent efforts across each phase moved them up one placing at a time to ultimately seal the deal at the end of the weekend. Photo courtesy of Seto.

The youngest winner of the weekend was 12-year-old Kennedy Wiklund who navigated her 16-year-old Morgan mare Galaxy Girl (Indiana Ikard x Promtime Memories) to the win in the Beginner Novice Three-Day division at Ram Tap. Photo courtesy of Wiklund.

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, now including the Modified level too. 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 Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, FITS, SmartPak Equine, Parker Equine Insurance, and Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles for sponsoring the USEA Classic Series.