Jul 30, 2024

28 Days Remaining Until the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships in Lexington, Kentucky!

By Kaleigh Collett - USEA Staff | Press Release
USEA/Lindsay Berreth photo

With the blink of an eye, the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is now just a month away! Returning to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, this year’s event is jam-packed with action from the new Starter level all the way to the pinnacle of national eventing competition, the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final. We’ve got all you need to know to make the most of your AEC experience!

VIP Hospitality

There’s no better way to enhance your competition week than purchasing VIP hospitality! From Tuesday through Sunday, an exclusive Daily VIP Hospitality ringside tent at Rolex Stadium will be serving delicious food and drink for interested attendees. The tent will be open for breakfast and lunch and will have a cash bar available. Click here to purchase tickets to the Daily VIP Hospitality ringside tent. Daily hospitality menus are listed under each daily ticket and prices are as follows:

  • Single Day Ticket - $60 per day
  • Part Package: Extra Tickets - $90
    • Includes an extra ticket for the Welcome Reception on Wednesday and the Competitor Part on Friday. Save $20 over buying them separately!
  • VIP Hospitality Package - $325
    • Includes access to the VIP Hospitality ringside tent for all six days of the AEC.
  • VIP Hospitality and Party Package - $415
    • Includes access to VIP Hospitality ringside tent for all six days of the AEC, plus one extra ticket for each party (Welcome Reception on Wednesday and Competitor Party on Friday).

*Prices listed above are only valid until the end of the day on August 12. Prices will increase after this date.

Qualification & Entry Reminders

Entries for the 2024 AEC are OPEN! If you’ve already entered the event, you can view your entry status here. If you haven’t submitted your entry yet, don’t wait! The USEA anticipates significant interest for this year’s event, so it is strongly recommended to enter as soon as possible. Entries will close on Tuesday, August 13. All entries must be submitted electronically with credit card payment.

Both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete at. Please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses to confirm eligibility prior to entering. For questions regarding AEC qualifications, contact Hannah Seagle at [email protected].

In addition to the individual championship divisions, the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will also return to the AEC. ATC divisions will be offered for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, and Preliminary levels. While the Starter Level is being introduced to the AEC this year, it is not yet being added to the ATC. Adult Riders interested in participating in the ATC have two days remaining to submit their letter of intent linked here by the deadline on Aug. 1. National and Area-specific requirements for competing in the ATC can be viewed here.

Stabling Reminders

Due to the overlap of the KHJA Fall Show on Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25, early arrivals are not permitted. If you would like to stable at the KHP on Aug. 23-25, please contact the KHJA Event at kentuckyhorseshows.com. Should you opt to enter stabling with KHJA, you will stay in the stall they assign you. As an alternative, the following layover facilities are available for early arrivals:

All stabling requests must be submitted using the stabling form linked here. For groups, please list one common name for the entire group on all forms to ensure correct placement. Any additions or changes to your stabling requests must be made by closing date on Aug. 13. Changes after closing date will be accessed a $50 per change fee and will only be made if possible. Please direct all stabling questions and concerns to the AEC Stable Manager, Sophie Plowright, at [email protected].

If you would like to pre-order shavings, feed or hay, rent stall mats, reserve paddocks or secure a golf cart for use during the event, please order in advance through Dever, Inc. at deverrentals.com or call 1-859-233-9702.

Additional Helpful Information

The 2024 USEA AEC omnibus page is available here. The competition will tentatively start at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. on Friday through Sunday. For a tentative schedule of events, please click here.

The organizing team of EEI and Mary Fike have secured room blocks at several local hotels and camping is available on site at the Kentucky Horse Park. Click here for more information on AEC Accommodations.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up for a shift through EventingVolunteers.com here.

The USEA looks forward to seeing everyone in Kentucky! Stay tuned to the USEA website for more event updates and details, and don’t forget to respond “going” on the 2024 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 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 27—Sept. 1 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. 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, Horse & Country; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club, Rood & Riddle; Bronze Level Sponsor: 70 Degrees, Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kraft Horse Walkers, Retired Racehorses Project, Ride EquiSafe, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Contributing Level Sponsors: Cross Country App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: BEMER, Ecogold, EquiFit, Equilab, FarmVet, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kentucky Equine Research, LeMieux, Mare Goods, Neighborly Tack, Outlaw Nutrition, Palmera Polo, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman / Equine Network, Rachel Dory Equine Fine Art, Remond Minerals, Secretariat Center, Shapley’s, Sidelines Magazine, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 28-30, 2024. 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 2024, 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 Beginner Novice through Preliminary 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 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kerrits, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.

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