The 2025 Washington International Horse Show, presented by MARS Equestrian™ opened competition on Monday, October 20, with the Adult Hunter Championship where Kendall Casaccio and her own Freya d’Ambrel finished first in the $12,500 WIHS Adult Hunter Championship.

Photo – Kendall Casaccio rode Freya d’Ambel to their second championship win in the indoor season. (Shawn McMillen Photography)

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.

Falling in Love

The WIHS Adult Hunter Championship was presented to Kendall Casaccio and Freya d’Ambel. (Photo: Shawn McMillen Photography)

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.”

The 2025 Washington International Horse Show

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™.