Renew Your USEA Membership for the 2023 Season Today LEARN MORE

AEC Trade Fair

Get Ready to Shop at #AEC2018

By Jessica Duffy - USEA Staff | Aug 30, 2018
Check out the Vendor Village by the Show Office at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships! USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

The 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented Nutrena® Feeds would not take place without the support of the USEA’s generous group of incredible sponsors. The AEC offers over $100,000 in prize money split between the divisions with $40,000 allotted to the top finishers in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Advanced division. In addition to the cash prizes awarded to the top finishers in each of the 18 divisions, numerous prizes will be awarded through sixth place, all courtesy of the USEA AEC sponsors. Several of the AEC sponsors are on site at The Colorado Horse Park this weekend featuring some special deals for shoppers to take advantage of.

USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Platinum Sponsor Devoucoux has a wide selection of new and used saddles on hand this weekend, as well as accessories like girths, boots, and tack cleaner and two certified saddle fitters that can help fit a horse for a saddle. There are some discounted used saddles for sale and some special deals if shoppers are interested in ordering a new saddle. Plus, if a rider has a Devoucoux and would like to have it cleaned, they can take it on over to the Devoucoux booth in the Vendor Village and they’ll buff it up!


USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Longtime sponsor of the AEC, VTO Saddlery, made the trek all the way from Virginia to be on site this year at the AEC for their ninth year in a row. “The things we bring to a show are the little things that eventers need but won’t find at a typical tack shop,” said Paul Arnold. They have everything from coats, boots, and air vests to saddle pads, gloves, and helmets. They even sell watch batteries! VTO Saddlery is featuring Charles Owen helmets this weekend and their staff are trained to fit helmets properly. They are also offering 30 percent off of a wide selection of breeches, outwear, and riding boots. “We can find something for just about anybody!”

USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

First-time AEC Bronze Level Sponsor Acuswede is here this weekend marketing their Acuswedemats and Acuhorsemats, acupressure systems for humans and horses alike. The medical-grade acupressure rosettes stimulate blood flow, encourage relaxation, and promote recovery. “Blood flow is the key to helping you recover and rest well,” said Thomas Willetto. “Whether you’re a human athlete that’s trying to recover and go again the next day or a horse trying to do the same thing, this is a great way to promote blood flow, relax, rest better, and recover well.” This weekend Acuswede is selling the Acuhorsemats for $250 (regularluy $400) and the Acuswedemats for $80 (regularly $100). Get the combination for $320!

USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Bronze Level AEC Sponsor Dubarry has brought a selection of brand new products from their winter line for shoppers to peruse this weekend, including a poncho in a selection of tweed patterns, new Goretex jackets and vests, and new winter boots. They also have the classic Galway boot on hand if shoppers are looking to try them out for the first time or replace a well-loved pair!


USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Equiapparel, a local Colorado-based company, is sponsoring the AEC at the Bronze Level this year and is on the grounds with a wide variety of athletic wear created for riders by riders. They have a sale tent this weekend with exclusive design t-shirts for $15 and other sale bin items for shoppers to take advantage of. Equiapparel also offers a full suite of customization services. They will work to create a logo if someone doesn’t have one and can print and embroider on everything from tank tops and polo shirts to heavy winter jackets. Also, Equiapparel provided all the USEA AEC volunteer t-shirts! Be sure to stop by and check out their unique selection.


USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles have been a sponsor of the AEC since the very first event at the Carolina Horse Park in 2004. “Everything that we do is fully custom,” Lesley Ellis explained. “We fit every horse and we measure the rider.” They can check saddles for riders that already own Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles and they can also measure horses and riders for new custom saddles.

USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Chubby Cov is a Montana-based company that creates custom stock ties. Cindy Covington had never sewed a day in her life before she started creating custom stock ties for her trainer and barnmates, and now she creates beautiful custom ties that are machine washable, bleachable, and made with durable fabric in a wide selection of patterns. Stop by in the afternoon to take advantage of her two-for-$50 deal this weekend and indulge in some prosecco and snacks on the house!


USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Daniel Stewart is here this weekend promoting Prize Level Sponsor Equestrian Athlete Camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. These informative four-day camps take place at Olympic Training Centers around the country, are open to riders of all ages, and focus on everything from rider fitness, sports psychology, injury prevention, and nutrition. During the Adult Rider Party, Stewart will be raffling off one full-ride scholarship, one $500 scholarship, and one $250 scholarship that the winners can take advantage of in addition to the $250 scholarship provided for all USEA members. Stop by and talk with Stewart to find out more about this incredible training camp!


USEA/Jessica Duffy Photo.

Shannon Brinkman Photography, the official photographer, and Ride On Video, the official videographer, are both offering show specials this weekend. Shannon Brinkman Photography is offering a variety of discounted packages ranging from $135 for web photos to the Deluxe package with images printable up to 30 inches by 40 inches for $475. If you want to purchase a video of all three phases of this weekend’s competition, riders can do so at Ride On Video for $150. Riders can even order after the event, because they film everyone!

These are just some of the vendors and sponsors that are on the ground at The Colorado Horse Park to support competitors in the AEC this weekend. The Vendor Village will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, so be sure to go out and support the companies who support your event!

A huge thank you to all the sponsors who support the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships!

Presenting Sponsors: Nutrena Feeds

Gold Cup Advanced Title Sponsor: Adequan

Platinum Sponsor: Devoucoux

Gold Level Sponsors: Charles Owen | Standlee Hay | Merck Animal Health | Parker Equine Insurance

Silver Level Sponsors: VTO Saddlery | Mountain Horse

Bronze Level Sponsors: SmartPak | Dubarry | The Chronicle of the Horse | Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles | Auburn Laboratories | FITS Riding | CWD | Ovation | Acuswede | Equipparel

Contributing Level Sponsors: Nunn Finer | RevitaVet | Emerald Valley Natural Health | CrossCountry App

Prize Level Sponsors: Ride Safe | GumBits | Equus Magnificus | Scoring Chix | Ride Heels Down | C4 Belts | A Little Pet Vet | ChubbyCov LLC | The Jockey Club | Absorbine | Arenus Animal Health | Equestrian Athlete Camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center

2018 USEA AEC: Live Stream | Live Scores | Ride Times | Schedule of Events | Website

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!
#AEC2018 | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About the USEA American Eventing Championships
The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for 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 horses and riders 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. This year, the USEA American Eventing Championships will be held August 29-September 2, 2018 at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. The qualifying period begins August 2017 and continues through August 2018 with the final taking place at the 2018 USEA American Eventing Championships at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, Colorado, August 29 – September 2, 2018. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes and the title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion in the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final Advanced Division. Click here to learn more about the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.

The USEA would like to thank Adequan, Standlee Hay Company, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Parker Equine Insurance, and FITS for sponsoring the 2018 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series.