United States Eventing Association

Hello Eventing Enthusiasts!

After welcoming a record 539 entries representing 35 states to the 2006 Wellpride American Eventing Championships, the USEA can now truly call its national championships, launched just three years earlier, a destination event - one where eventers at every level and from every corner of the country come to one location to vie for top honors and celebrate the sport like no where else. At how many other events can you rub shoulders with the top riders in the country, win thousands of dollars in prize money and top prizes, enter your pup in a fun-filled dog show, take part in seminars on everything from pet first-aid and saddle fit to grooming for competition and horse health, have your friends and family listen to commentary of your cross-country live on the web and later watch footage of your show jumping round, and in between hit the dance floor next to an Olympian? Not too many! So get qualified (the complete qualifications can be found on the AEC section of the USEA website) and make sure to mark September 13-16 on your calendars for the 2007 Wellpride AEC!

Location, Location, Location After three wonderful years at the Carolina Horse Park, the location of this destination event has changed to Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Lamplight is a meticulously well-groomed 56-acre facility on the outskirts of Chicago. In addition to hosting a two recognized horse trials, one through the CIC*** level, each year, Lamplight also holds between 20 and 25 competitions including six regional dressage shows and five 'AA' hunter/jumper shows. A noticeable step-up from your usual horse show site, the facility offers Caribou coffee and cappuccino to get you started each morning, a scrumptious menu for breakfast and lunch, and a variety of smoothie flavors to get you through any balmy afternoons. All these can be enjoyed in the lovely, permanent concession area with umbrella tables overlooking the many beautifully landscaped competition arenas. Your equine counterparts will live in comfort in permanent stabling (450 10' x 10' stalls with gates are available, with room for an additional 150 horses) with underground electricity and water and conveniently located wash racks. There isn't a bad stall in the place! Cross-country will take place right across the street at the Pratt Wayne Woods, a 2,000-acre public preserve devoted to equestrian use, which includes playing host to the cross-country phases of the Maui Jim Horse Trials and the Wayne DuPage Horse Trials. The team of designers and builders are already busy putting in the championship tracks, so make sure you're prepared for a challenging, championship-worthy test of horse and rider.

More Than Just a Competition Those who have attended the Wellpride AEC in the past remember days filled with free seminars with top professionals, outstanding prizes, free samples, an extensive trade fair, and evenings full of fun. Those will all be back, along with many new and exciting prize packages and activities. And don't forget to stop by the USEA tent and pick up a souvenir T-shirt, polo, or ball cap, or try out our new line of USEA logowear jackets from Mountain Horse which will be ready just in time for fall. And make sure to check out the neighboring hamlet of St. Charles, which is full of wonderful restaurants, shopping, and night life. For a list of all the possibilities, go to www.visitstcharles.com or call(800) 777-4373.

Youngsters' Chance to Shine For the first time, the Wellpride AEC will be held in conjunction with the USEA/Spalding Labs 2007 Young Event Horse Championships, also in its third year, which will take place September 12, the day before the start of the AEC. This allows top riders the chance to attend both events with mounts of every age. Who knows? You may be stabled next to Darren Chiacchia or Karen O'Connor! Jennifer and Jonathan Holling of Willow Run Farm are planning to make the trip from their Ocala, Florida home. "We have students who are making it their goal for the season. I believe that Jon is planning on having his advanced horses there as well as young client horses that are up and coming," said Jennifer Holling.

Top Eventers Hope To Ride Away With Championship Honors Kristin Bachman, reigning Wellpride AEC Advanced level champion is hoping to return again and defend her title. "It's such a great experience and I had a fantastic time there last year and I would definitely love to get qualified again, but we'll see since I'm hoping to go to the Pan Am Games this year. If that falls through, then I'd love to come to the AEC's again," said Bachman. Becky Holder, the 2006 Adequan Gold Cup Series Intermediate winner, also hopes to have a shot at claiming a championship title at the event. "I am definitely attending this year's AEC as a destination event with clients and horses. I believe Lamplight is a premier facility in a great location for this competition," said Holder.

The Loot/Prize Money Increased! Speaking of Karen and Darren, the USEA is pleased to announce that Pegasus Design Group (www.pegasusdesigngroup.com) recently signed on as the presenting sponsor of the Advanced division, including a $5,000 prize money bonus, bringing the division's total prize money to $15,000! The intermediate division prize money of $10,000 may also be increased soon - stay tuned! In total, over $55,000 in prize money and $100,000 in prizes are expected to be on the line.

Hitting the Road Those East Coast members who attended the Wellpride AEC in years past may be hesitant to make the trip west, but fear not--it's not as difficult, or as far, as you might think. To check out the distance from home to Wayne, Illinois, go to this mileage calculator. Want to hitch a ride? The USEA website will have a list of AEC-bound competitors looking to split expenses by ride sharing.If you?re not used to trips longer than a few hours, check out the "Happy Travels" article in the January/February issue of Eventing USA for travel tips. And if you're looking for a place where you and your horse can stay the night while getting to and from the event, check out sites like www.horsemotel.com for a list of prospects.

A Word About Our Sponsors The Wellpride AEC would not be possible without the support of its many sponsors, including Title: Wellpride; Legacy: Amerigo, Bit of Britain, Nutrena, and Saratoga Horseworks; Contributing: Adequan, Cover-All Building Systems, and UlcerGard; Platinum: Pegasus Design Group; Gold: Charles Owen, Fleeceworks, Maui Jim Sunglasses, and Ovation; Silver: Fun In The Saddle (FITS), and SSG Riding Gloves, and bedding sponsor, Guardian Bedding. Additional sponsors are signing on each week and will be added to the USEA website. For more information and qualification criteria for the Wellpride American Eventing Championships click on the AEC logo on our homepage(www.useventing.com) or go to www.aecatlamplight.org.See you in September!