United States Eventing Association

90 Days to the 2021 AEC! Preview the Action Held from Sunrise to Sundown

The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships Presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC) is 3 months away! After the cancellation of the 2020 AEC due to COVID-19, the 2021 AEC is back at the iconic Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. on August 31 - September 5.

The USEA will be teaming up with the same organizers who run the Kentucky Three-Day Event, Equestrian Events, Inc (EEI), and Mary Fike. The 2021 AEC and evening functions will run in accordance with the USEF COVID-19 Action Plan.

During the week of the AEC, the Kentucky Horse Park will be filled with action from sunrise to sundown. However, if you have any downtime during the week of the AEC, take advantage of everything the famous Kentucky Horse Park has to offer. Walk through the Hall of Champions, a barn filled with an elite group of champion horses like the famous racehorse, Funny Cide. Another venture would be to learn more about the history of the horse by touring one of the four of the museums found on the grounds: The International Museum of the Horse, Al-Marah Arabian Horse Galleries, The American Saddlebred Museum, and The Wheeler Museum.

Make sure to snap a picture with one of the 17 sculptures that are scattered across the park. One of the most recent sculptures is of Bruce Davidson Sr. riding Eagle Lion, an eventer who set the record of winning the Kentucky Three-Day Event six times

Lastly, don’t forget to shop at the AEC Sponsor/Vendor Village! The vendor village will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. every day of competition.

Every morning, the competition will tentatively start at 7:30 a.m. and every evening from Wednesday - Friday, an evening function will be held for competitors, friends, and family.

The provisional competition schedule is available here. The provisional evening schedule is listed below.

**Changes have been made to the provisional evening schedule since the original posting date. The schedule below is up to date as of 6/7/2021.

Wednesday, September 1

Welcome Party | Celebrate having the AEC back at the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday evening.

Thursday, September 2

Event Officials Party | This evening function will be open to the 2021 AEC event officials in appreciation of their hard work.

Friday, September 3

Competitors Party | The competitors' party will be a night of entertainment with dinner, drinks, and the grand finale of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final with show jumping under the lights in the Rolex Stadium.

Saturday, September 4

Young Rider Party | This party will be open to all USEA Young Rider program members, age 25 and under.

Adult Rider Party | This party will be open to all USEA Adult Rider program members and competitors of the 2021 USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC).

The 2021 AEC will also have hospitality tents on grounds during the AEC. More details will be announced at a later date.

From learning about horse history to shopping at the AEC Sponsor/Vendor Village to watching the grand finale of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final - championship competitors will have a week packed with action.

The qualifying period for the 2021 AEC is May 25, 2020 – August 23, 2021. The 2021 AEC qualification criteria was updated after the cancellation of the 2020 AEC. Click here to read the full 2021 AEC qualification criteria.

Are you qualified to compete at the 2021 AEC? Check the list of qualified riders here. Check the list of qualified horses here. For questions about your qualifications, email [email protected].

The organizing team of EEI and Mary Fike have secured room blocks and there are also camping options, please visit the AEC accommodations page for more details.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of horses and riders 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 2019 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and took place with 925 starters, now standing as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held August 31 – September 5 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, Gold level sponsors Parker Equine Insurance, SmartPak, Standlee Hay, Silver level sponsors Auburn Laboratories, Mountain Horse, Park Equine, The Jockey Club, and Saratoga Horseworks. The USEA would like to thank all other sponsors supporting the 2021 AEC as well.