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With much of the country still gearing up for the start of the 2023 eventing season, it is the perfect time to review what you will need to do to get qualified for the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. You won’t want to miss this year’s AEC, which will take place from Aug. 29 through Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky!
In August 2022, the USEA Board of Governors voted to strengthen placing requirements for the Beginner Novice through Preliminary levels at the AEC due to a consistent growth in the event year after year and the Board’s commitment to raising the bar to make sure the AEC remains a true national championship. The Board also hopes that strengthening requirements will increase the preparedness of entrants as they contest the championship-level cross-country courses presented at the AEC.
A basic overview of the updated qualification requirements for the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, are as follows. Please click here for a full listing of additional qualifications by division (i.e. Amateur, Rider, Junior, and/or Horse).
As a reminder for all Modified competitors, the USEA will be offering a Modified Rider division for the first time at the 2023 AEC, alongside the Open Modified division. With the addition of the Modified Rider division, entrants will now be able to compete in the Adult Team Championships (ATC) as well.
The ATC has traditionally been held at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels for competitors in the Amateur and Rider divisions only. ATC riders may now enter the Modified Rider Championship to be on a Modified ATC team. To be eligible for the ATC, riders must be 22 years of age or older and a member of their Area Adult Rider program by July 1, 2023.
In past years, Areas were eligible to send up to eight teams, with a maximum of 35 riders. With the addition of the Modified level at the ATC this year, Areas may now send an additional eight riders (above the 35) if those riders are at the Modified level. For more information on the ATC and to view additional requirements by Area, please click here.
Don’t forget, both horse AND rider must be qualified for the AEC to compete, and they both must still be eligible for the level of competition at which they qualified. To confirm your qualification, visit the AEC Qualified Riders and AEC Qualified Horses lists throughout the year. If you have any further questions, please check the AEC Qualification page or call the office at (703) 779-0440 ext. 3005 to reach Sharon Gallagher, Senior Director of Competitions.
About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)
The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations from around the country to compete for fabulous prizes, a piece of the substantial prize money, and the chance to be named the National Champion at their respective levels. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 29S— Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.
The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles Gold Level Sponsors: Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Capital Square, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Mountain Horse, The Jockey Club, Kerrits; and more!
About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final
The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, August 29 – September 3, 2022. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2023, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.
About the USEA Adult Team Championships
The USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the Adult Team Championships.
The USEA would like to thank The Chronicle of the Horse, FITS Riding, Nutrena Feeds, SmartPak, Achieve Equine/FLAIR, Kerrits, and Horse & Country TV for sponsoring the USEA Adult Team Championships.
