2025 WIHS Opens with Wins for Casaccio and Roman

The 2025 Washington International Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™ opened competition on Monday, October 20, with the WIHS Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Isabella Roman rode Irocco Grey S, owned by Carolex Stables, LLC, to victory in the $12,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, while Kendall Casaccio and her own Freya d’Ambrel finished first in the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship.

Casaccio Continues Winning Trend

Casaccio of Marmora, NJ, and Freya d’Ambrel led their second victory gallop of the indoor season when they topped the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™. They scored 83 in the first round and improved to score 86 in the second round for a total of 169. For their win, they were presented with the Diane Wade Memorial Award. Second place went to Molly Welborn and her own Theory with scores of 81 and 87 for a total of 168. Rachel Tanio rode So Cool, owned by Garrison Forest School, to scores of 84 and 83.5 for a total of 167.5 and third place.

Casaccio found Freya through Emil Spadone two years ago when she was imported from Europe as a jumper. “I got to ride her in Ocala two years ago, and I just fell in love with her,” she said of the 10-year-old Selle Francais mare by Padock du Plessis*HN. “She's become a great hunter. She has always been so brave and transitioned to the hunters beautifully. She never has looked at any of the jumps and has always jumped in such a great form. She really fell so naturally into the hunters and has been so successful at it.”

The pair won the NAL Adult Hunter Finals at Capital Challenge Horse Show, but taking home the iconic red cooler from WIHS was a goal. “I've always wanted that as long as I have watched this class,” she said with a laugh, “and I always wanted to trot in with the bright red cooler. It was really special being able to do that today.”

Isabella Roman Reigns with Irocco Grey S

Young hunter riders took center stage in The Show Place Arena to vie for the top title in the $12,500 WIHS Children’s Hunter Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Following two rounds of competition, Isabella Roman of Wellington, FL, emerged victorious with the Carolex Stables, LLC’s Irocco Grey S.

Under the careful watch of judges Shane George and Keri Kampsen, all combinations contested the first-round track before the top 12 highest-placed entries returned for round two. Roman’s opening round left an impression on the judges, and she sat in the pinnacle position with a score of 87.

“Coming into the second round sitting in first place, my nerves were very, very high,” Roman admitted. “I went and took a moment to myself before I went back in and just reminded myself, ‘It’s ok, you got this. Just calm down and don't let it get in your head.'”

With a winning mindset and strategy, Roman returned to pilot the 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Zirocco Blue VDL to another top-placed round, earning a score of 86 points to secure the win on a total of 173.

“This is a huge deal for me because I love this horse show,” expressed Roman. “I couldn't wait to show in this ring, and I have to go back home tomorrow for school, so this means a lot.”

Her partnership with the gelding fondly nicknamed “Rocco” has been a slow and steady trust-building process, and it proved successful during the afternoon’s competition.

“I've been riding Rocco for almost two years,” she explained, “he was my birthday present. It’s definitely the greatest one I've had so far. He and I took a bit longer to get to know each other and figure out what was good for us, but it means so much to really shine in the ring and for it all to come together.”

For Roman, the day was a special one she shared with her family, including sister Francesca Roman who competed against her on the Carolex Stables, LLC’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Castillo (by Cabachon).

“Horse shows are a big family dynamic for us because we are always together at the barn,” she enthused. “For the past couple of years my sister and I have been showing against each other, and it’s always that competitive but supportive nature we have with each other. We are always very happy to see the other succeed.”

Roman was awarded the H. Fenwick Kollock Memorial Perpetual Trophy for her win. With a two-round total of 168, Geneva Saunders of Nashville, TN, and Ella Trotz’s 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (by Calido I), As Ever, took home the reserve honors. Angelina Principe of Huntington, MD, rounded out the top three with her own 19-year-old Warmblood, Show Me, earning an overall score of 165.

Regional Riders Rise to the Top

At the end of the day, horses and ponies who had a successful weekend at the WIHS Regional Horse Show came to Upper Marlboro to compete in the WIHS Regional Finals. The first class for horses welcomed Hailey Swann and her horse Gochu to lead the victory gallop after their winning score of 87. They also finished as reserve champions. Emily Young and her own Learn To Fly placed second with an 84 but also took home the championship ribbon and were presented with the Black Starr and Frost Trophy. Taylor Morrison and Deputy Balou, owned by Esther Lander, scored 83 to finish in third place.

Swann (15) of Lutherville, MD, has been riding Gochu, a seven-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Gerardus, for six months. This was their first time showing indoors, and Swann focused on staying consistent.

“I just have to let him do his job and let him help me,” she said. “I'm very grateful that this was his first time indoors, and we got a win out of it. This is definitely beyond my wildest dreams. I didn't really expect too terribly much coming in, but to come out with a win was really special.”

Young, who is 16 and from Herndon, VA, has been riding Learn To Fly for three years. “He's my heart horse; I love him so much,” expressed Young of the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Livello.

“I was a little nervous,” she added. “I just trusted him, squeezed my leg, and he was so good.”

The final class of the day was the WIHS Regional Pony Hunter Finals, where Robert Caputo of Richmond, VA, piloted All Star, owned by Wrigley Field, LLC, to a winning score of 84. The pair also finished as overall reserve champions. Bridget Sappington and Jamrock, owned by Linda Willson, placed second with a score of 82. Kinley McAvoy and Brighton Heartbreaker finished in third place but were also the overall champions.

McAvoy trains with Rick Harris and Morgan Hoke at Garrison Forest School of Owings Mills, MD, and has been riding Brighton Heartbreaker for a year. She said that the experienced pony has taught her everything about competing.

“She's the most perfect thing ever,” said McAvoy of the 17-year-old Welsh Pony mare by Romany River Talisman. “She's so flowy, and we have such a good connection that it's so easy to ride her. I trust her with my whole life. She's the queen.”

Caputo went out on a high note with All Star in his final competition on the seven-year-old German Riding Pony gelding. “I am going to miss the ponies,” he said. “Hopefully, I still get to do a few, but ‘Banks’ is ready to find his next kid.”

Caputo has been riding All Star for two years, starting with him when the pony was only five years old after it was imported by Chris Wynne. “It's the most rewarding thing in the world,” said Caputo of working with a green pony. “All the progress each day, each week, every show — I've had such a great team behind me with my trainers Fiona Turner and Ashland Farms.”

This was Caputo’s first time competing at WIHS. The 13-year-old from Richmond, VA, has been riding since he was eight years old after his mother gave him a riding lesson. He has since moved up quickly, including advancing to the 3’6” equitation this summer and qualifying for the ASPCA Maclay National Championships next week.

The 2025 WIHS continues on Tuesday, October 21, with the conclusion of the professional hunter divisions, as well as the start of the Amateur-Owner Hunter divisions. The day’s competition wraps up with the WIHS Children’s Jumper Championship and WIHS Adult Jumper Championship, presented by MARS Equestrian™.