Aug 29, 2017

2017 AEC Cross-Country Course Previews

By Leslie Mintz - USEA Staff , Jessica Duffy

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.

Sep 26, 2023 Competitions

Start Your Engines—Starter Level to Be USEA Recognized for 2024 Eventing Season

At the August USEA Board of Governors meeting, a proposition was brought forth to officially recognize what is commonly referred to as “Starter level” as a USEA division. For many years now, Starter level has been offered as a test at USEA approved events. The decision to recognize the level officially would allow those competing in Starter level divisions to receive recognition on the USEA Leaderboards and to compete at the Starter level at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) in the future. The motion was approved to recognize this level, and the USEA staff have been hard at work preparing all of the rules, guidelines, and standards that will go along with this level’s recognition for the 2024 season.

Sep 25, 2023 Eventing News

Four-Star Victory by Karma and Alliston Have Them Ready to Take on the World

Karma is developing into one of the fastest and most-reliable cross-country horses in the West. The 9-year-old bay Oldenburg mare and James Alliston won their third-straight blue ribbon together at either the four-star or Advanced level in the CCI4*-S at the Twin Rivers Fall International in Paso Robles, California, with the only double-clear cross-country round on Saturday.

Sep 25, 2023 News

USEA Podcast #344: The Allistons Answer All

Most couples share a kiss and part ways at 8:00 a.m. as they head off to their own work days, but eventing power couple James and Helen Alliston do it all together. We gave our USEA members the opportunity to submit their questions for this West Coast-based couple, and USEA Podcast host Nicole Brown gets them to share all on many topics: eventing in the U.S. versus the U.K., who is the most competitive of the two, dealing with warmer temperatures, why James likes to drive illegally slow, and so much more!

Sep 24, 2023 Eventing News

Grald and Diara Persevere to Win CCI4*-S at Plantation Field

The Plantation Field International CCI4*-S concluded today with the cross-country phase, and the final standings were nearly a matter of “last one standing.” As Tropical Storm Ophelia brought a torrential downpour to the area, a number of riders decided to opt out: of 39 competitors, only six completed, and 17 withdrew before the start of cross-country.

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