United States Eventing Association

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. He is quite the athlete!” Such comments are fairly common for Jennifer Skinner to hear about her American Quarter Horse stallion Bullys Legacy (“Diggy”). Eleven years ago Skinner, a professional barrel racing and young horse trainer in Bryan, Texas, welcomed the bay colt into the world—he’d been the culmination of dream bloodlines, bred for a career in her industry.

This month’s VIP Volunteers are a mother and daughter duo who have a unique tradition that started over four decades ago: volunteering at the Kentucky Horse Park together. While both Marjorie “Marji” Hines and her daughter, Robinson Regen, have a pleasure riding background, and Hines used to work cattle with her father on the family farm, they knew very little about eventing when they first started volunteering.

As I walk down the ramp into the Rolex Arena to compete in the 2024 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds, I ask myself, “What am I doing here?” I look around in the warmup area, and everyone is a big-name rider—several are past Olympians—and here I am, a rider no one has heard of.

Drumroll please… After much consideration, the United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and our partners at Adams Horse Supply are proud to announce the winner of the ATC Scavenger Hunt hosted during the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.

When 15-year-old Sophia Lieberman first laid eyes on her dapple gray mustang Bear Necessities three years ago in Alabama, she had no idea what the future might hold for them. Lieberman and her mother, Dr. Alison LaCarrubba, DVM, were on the hunt for a new project pony, and the 14-hand gelding seemed like he might be a good fit.

USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Lou Leslie hopped on a call with Host Nicole Brown to chat all about the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. From how the eventing community rallied together following Liz Halliday's fall in the Advanced Final to the amazing stories that came to light during the event, we chat about everything at this year's AEC that inspired us and remind us why this event is truly one of the most exciting events of the year!

With the USEA American Eventing Championship presented by Nutrena Feeds gaining in popularity and prestige every year, it came as no surprise to Event Secretary, Cavan Allen, and Head of Scheduling, Debbie Hinkle, that attempting to accommodate over 1,000 entries for this year’s event would take a herculean effort.

Thoroughbreds were celebrated during the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds as the two top-placed Thoroughbreds in each division were recognized as the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Champions and Reserve Champions. This year 24 horses were presented with the TIP Champion Awards across 26 divisions.

The 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds has been a resounding success, solidifying its place as one of the largest eventing competitions in North American history. With over 1,000 entries and competition running from Tuesday to Sunday, several days lasting beyond 9:00 p.m., the week's accomplishments were made possible thanks to the generous support of the USEA AEC sponsors.

The inaugural Horse & Country USEA Starter championships wrapped up under a beautiful Kentucky sunset at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Meet our winners below!