Now in its tenth year, the popular Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships  offers qualified USEA members of all ages and levels the chance to compete in the only national championships of its kind in the United States. Each September, hundreds of juniors, adult amateurs, and professionals travel from all across the nation to participate in this prestigious competition, vying for the chance to win a piece of the prize money and fabulous prizes and the chance to be named the best in the nation at their respective levels.

Can Anyone Compete?

Sure, as long as you're qualified! Not sure if you're qualified? Be sure to check out the list of Qualified Riders and list of Qualified Horses. Both horse AND rider must be qualified for the AEC in order to compete and  must still be eligible for the level of competition at which  you qualified. Please check Qualification Criteria or call the office at 703-779-0440 at extension 3005 - Sharon Gallagher.

Think you're not qualified? Think again! As a service to our amateur members, the USEA IT department has developed a system to recognize amateurs who should be qualified for the Championships, but did not receive qualifying placements at events. Because many events hold "Open" divisions where the professionals and amateurs are joined together in one division, the amateurs may have a harder time trying to get the first or second placings they'll need to qualify them for the AEC. Sure, we have many outstanding amateurs who are very competitive in the Open divisions, but our hope is that our amateurs will receive an opportunity to qualify for the designated amateur divisions at the AEC, even when only open divisions are offered at qualifying events. Read more about this upgrade of placing/points.

Under USEA Management and at a Fabulous New Venue

After successful tenures in Southern Pines, North Carolina,Wayne, Illinois, and Fairburn, Georgia, the AEC now moves to the Texas Rose Horse Parkin Tyler, Texas, described by Capt. Mark Phillips as home of “some of the best footing anywhere in the world”. Riders and spectators will enjoy high quality permanent stabling and excellent amenities, as well as spectacular viewing areas for almost all of theshow grounds. Texas Rose is a relatively new equestrian facility very conveniently located one mile from Interstate 20 in Tyler and the landowners are making immense efforts to present six championship level courses in a beautiful park like setting. With courses designed by the renowned designer of Britain’s Burghley Horse Trials, Captain Mark Phillips, Kathy Brunsen and her team havebeen working non-stopto prepare the venuesince thesite waschosen by the USEAfor the 2013 AEC.  Sponsors areliningup to showcase their brands through this unique opportunity.

Media Coverage

Each year, the USEA Media team provides tons of daily photo galleries from each division, audio interviews with top riders, video coverage from all three phases, and of course, daily press releases on our website. All of those exciting media opportunities will be back this year, but with manymore video interviews with the winners (think CNN or Sportscenter...only better!)courtesy of our newly launched US Eventing TV. Interested in covering the AEC for your magazine, newspaper, radio, television station, or website? Contact the USEA for your all-access media pass! For more information about this event, access to competitor interviews, photos of past years, sponsorship opportunities and more, please contact Rob Burk at RBurk@useventing.com.

Live Scoring

The live scoring will be back on the USEA site again this year - so as soon as the judges know the scores, you'll know the scores! This way even if you can't attend the AEC, you can still keep up with your friends and family and find out how they're ranked in the competition. http://livescore.useventing.com/

Prizes

Once again the USEA will be offering significant prize money (yes hard cash) and a boatload of prizes thanks to our loyal sponsors. Check back for details as the list is being compiled as we write.

Sponsorship

Interested in joining our team of sponsors? Contact Rob Burk.  There are options available for every budget!