United States Eventing Association

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting closer and more enticing by the day. Accessibility and opportunities abound with early stabling arrangements for those hauling long distances and the addition of Festival classes in the Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced Open divisions.

The AEC will be held Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California.

Early Arrivals for Long Haulers

In anticipation of horses and riders traveling from all over the country, the Galway Downs organizing team has announced special stabling arrangements for those traveling long distances.

As a lifelong horseman and competitor, Galway Downs organizer Robert Kellerhouse advocates the horsemanship principle that long travel requires horses to have adequate recovery time before they start the competition.

To accommodate that, Galway Downs set the following schedule for horses traveling from specified USEA Areas to arrive without incurring extra stabling fees.

Horses from Areas I, II, III and VIII: Arrival time 12 p.m., Friday, August 22

Horses from Areas IV, V and IX: Arrival time 12 p.m., Saturday, August 23

Horses from Areas VII and X: Arrival time 12 p.m., Sunday, August 24

Horses from Area VI: Arrival time 12 p.m., Monday, August 25

All early arrivals are by appointment only. Appointments can be made by email to [email protected].

Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 8 a.m., is the normal horse arrival date for the AEC. Stabling fees are $275 per stall, which includes the stall through Monday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m. Early arrival requests outside of the parameters stated above are subject to availability and will be charged at $50 per stall for each day that precedes the stated arrival/distance schedule.

Festival Classes for Modified–Advanced Divisions

With an eye toward encouraging professionals and other upper-level riders to capitalize on the championship atmosphere and challenges, non-championship Festival classes will be offered for Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced divisions.

The courses will be the same as the Clayton Fredericks-designed tracks for those Championship levels. New horses or those not qualified for the AEC can gain mileage in Galway Downs’ famously electric atmosphere and on the 242-acre venue’s beautiful cross-country courses.

In this first year of Galway Downs hosting the AEC, the Festival classes open more opportunities for those prepared to compete at these levels but not quite ready or qualified for Championship inclusion.

If you are planning to compete at the 2025 AEC, remember that entries open on Tuesday, July 15 and will close on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Click here to view the AEC calendar listing. As a reminder, both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete in. For more information, please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses. For questions regarding AEC qualifications, contact Hannah Seagle.

The USEA looks forward to seeing everyone in California! Stay tuned to the USEA website for more event updates and details, and don’t forget to respond “going” on the 2025 AEC Facebook event page. For general questions about the AEC, please contact Kate Lokey.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations 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. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee; and more!

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2025, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships, or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Starter Level to Modified Level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.