United States Eventing Association

The Waredaca Classic Three-Day took place from Oct. 22-25 in Laytonsville, Maryland. We caught up with some of the winners to learn more about their experience in the USEA Classic Series event. For full results, click here.

Modified Three-Day | Jocelyn Hawe & Fiddlehead | 52.5

Jocelyn Hawe, Lee, New Hampshire, and her own 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Fiddlehead (Old Fashioned x Gorgeous Me) topped the Modified Three-Day, leading from start to finish.

Training Three-Day | Emma Whitaker & HSH Golden Boy | 37.8

Emma Whitaker and HSH Golden Boy led the Training Three-Day from start to finish. Whitaker started competing in 2021 when she was 9 and was hooked on eventing from then.

She had a trial ride on “Oscar” and found he was a much different ride than the previous horses she’d ridden, but he was the perfect fit.

“He only goes as fast as I want him to go, and his motor comes from me,” she said. “He is brave and steady but definitely a push ride. He has made me a better rider, making me use my legs and body position to ride more than my hands. [He had] a great foundation—perfectly mannered on the ground, obedient under saddle, and he loves people. He has the biggest heart and wants to make me happy. When I'm nervous he takes over; when he's nervous I take over.”

Whitaker, Clarksville, Maryland, and Hedgerow Farm’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Hore gelding (Eastern Hero x Princess Boo) have gone from Beginner Novice to Training.

“The Waredaca Three-Day is my favorite show, and this year was our third year competing together,” she said. “We won the Beginner Novice Three-Day in 2023, then finished in third place in the Novice Three-Day in 2024, and winning the Training this year was incredible. My cousin, Kendal [Fansler], and I ride together on our farm, and prepping for the Three-Day each year together is fun. We take turns making playlists and we turn the music up on our phones and go out together for our hills, trots, and canters.”

Whitaker enjoyed the educational sessions with top riders like Sharon White, and the excitement of some challenging cross-country jumps.

“The new keyhole jump on cross-country was awesome as it looked like the one on the Maryland 5 Star course this year,” she said. “Oscar thought he needed to duck his head while going through! I would recommend the Classic to anyone—the preparation you have to do to be ready really allows you to spend quality time with your horse, and being there with others learning and supporting each other in the Classic format is so unique.”

Novice Three-Day | Jamie Leuenberger & N'Chantress | 28.3

While Jamie Leuenberger’s business has moved towards dressage in recent years, she continues to compete in eventing because she finds it so much fun. She and her mother, Marlene Leuenberger’s N’Chantress, a 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Toronta x Gremlin N Gold), topped the Novice Three-Day for the second year in a row. The division had a whopping 27 entries, making it the largest three-day division at the event.

Jamie and Marlene purchased her the mare as a yearling from breeder, Lauren Efford, and Jamie has produced her from the start. “ I have really taken it slow moving up the levels with her because she is an extremely careful jumper,” she said. “It is really paying off because she is really starting to jump confidently cross-country.”

This was “Tess’s” third long format and Jamie’s seventh year competing in a Classic. She also competed her own Pandaeia GHF in the Beginner Novice Three-Day. “I got into the horse business because I love the horses, and I think because of how much time, effort, and money we all put in it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that it's supposed to be fun!” she said. “And that is exactly why I keep coming back to the Three-Day. It is the most fun and rewarding experience.”

Jamie, Milford, New Jersey, hopes to bring Tess back again for the Training Three-Day in the future. “I plan to continue to include it in my schedule as often as possible because you just can't beat the experience,” she said. “My favorite part of the competition is probably steeplechase because it is such a rush. But also, the camaraderie that the classic format inspires amongst the competitors. Each year I attend this event I meet new wonderful people who are so supportive of each other and who I continue to see in the sport and stay in touch with over the years.

“I encourage my students and anyone who will listen to give the Classic Three-Day a try,” she added. “Even if it may seem intimidating at first, the organizers and fellow competitors are so welcoming and really do the best that they can to help everyone to complete successfully.”

Beginner Novice Three-Day | Brielle Rainsberg & Riley |24.9

Brielle Rainsberg, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, only started riding four years ago in dressage, then tried hunter/jumpers before finding a love for eventing with coach Kate Chadderton.

With Shannon Martin’s Riley, a 21-year-old Thoroughbred mare of unrecorded breeding, she led the Beginner Novice Three-Day from start to finish.

“I started competing her two years ago and have completed two whole seasons with her,” said Rainsberg. “We connected from the moment I first rode here. and I have enjoyed every moment since. I chose to do the three-day this year because this was my last competition on her, and I thought this would be a great way to end our career together.”

Rainsberg was happy to see all her fitness work at home paid off when Riley came into the 10-minute box without any issues. She also loved the steeplechase. “My favorite part of the competition had to be the steeplechase,” she said. “I’ve never done a steeplechase or anything like that before and just being out there galloping really felt like a dream come true.

“I really learned a lot at this event, more than any other that I’ve been to,” she added. “The people who run it are amazing and so helpful in every way. I can’t wait to do it again next year!”

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, PulseVet, and SmartEquine, as well as contributing sponsors Bates Saddles and Schneiders Saddlery, for supporting the USEA Classic Series.