United States Eventing Association

2017 AEC Cross-Country Course Previews

All six of Captain Mark Phillips' cross-country courses for the 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover and Nutrena at the Tryon International Equestrian Center are set, flagged, decorated, and ready for horses and riders to set out on course on Thursday.

Beginner Novice through Intermediate cross-country courses will begin on the Derby Field. Beginner Novice and Novice will circle in and out of the main field, while Training, Preliminary, and Intermediate will then venture down into the surrounding woods, with Preliminary and Intermediate divisions tackling combinations in the Land Rover Hollow before returning to the Derby Field for the final fences.

Advanced cross-country will run on the White Oak side of the property, which used to be a golf course. Horses will gallop out around the lake, crossing bridges to cross over to and back from the woods running along the river, before finishing back on the other side of the lake. This is the same track over which horses will run next year at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games.

The footing has been expertly engineered to provide perfect cross-country terrain. A drainage system runs throughout the track covered by 6” of Equine Services International sand, then a felt and soil mix, and finally TifTuf Burmuda grass on top. This footing is a little unlike other surfaces typically used, and last year Max Corcoran, in partnership with VTO Saddlery, gave a few industry tips on what studs she would suggest for running on this unique footing. Check it out here.

Cross-Country Schedule

Thursday
Preliminary 8:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Training 1:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.

Friday
Novice 8:00 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Advanced 5:00 p.m. - 6:20 p.m.

Saturday
Beginner Novice 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Intermediate 3:55 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

USEA took a tour around and has complete photo galleries available for all levels. Click the map to view all the fences!

About the USEA American Eventing Championships

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover and Nutrena is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, this event draws together the best competitors from across the country vying for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. The AEC will be held August 30-September 3, 2017 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. Qualifying began last fall and continues through August with the final taking place at the USEA American Eventing Championships, August 30 – September 3 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and to earn the Title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency and FITS.