United States Eventing Association

When Team SmartPak Rider Silva Martin saddles up, it’s always with a helmet. Silva’s riding career has taken her from Germany all across the world before she settled in the United States in 2007—well before helmets were popular in dressage. When the traditional top hat ruled the dressage ring, riders often schooled in baseball caps or nothing at all.

With 850 competitors on the roster, putting on this year’s USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds was no easy task. And like all other horse trials in the U.S., the AEC still relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers to bring its efforts to fruition. Over 750 volunteer shifts were filled over the course of the 7-day-long competition by an outstanding 300-plus volunteers. Those volunteers hailed from all over the country, with 30% of the final volunteer number driving in from out of state. Eventing enthusiasts flew in from each coast to help make this event a special one for the qualified competitors this year. While on grounds, the USEA caught up with a handful of these spectacular individuals to get the down low on why they opted to volunteer at this year’s national championships.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA,) Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI,) and co-organizer Mary Fike are pleased to welcome Rood & Riddle as the exclusive veterinarian for the USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC,) returning to the Kentucky Horse Park on Aug. 29 – Sept. 3, 2023.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce that long-time partner, Dubarry of Ireland, will return as an “Official Bronze Level Sponsor of the AEC” in 2023. Not only will Dubarry be on-site as a vendor in the USEA Sponsor Village at this year’s American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, but they will also be providing two pairs of iconic Dubarry boots as prizes for competitors. The 2023 AEC will take place from Aug. 29 through Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and the Retired Racehorse Project are united in support of the organizations two major championships approaching in the coming months. The Retired Racehorse Project joins the USEA as an “Official Bronze Level Sponsor of the 2023 American Eventing Championships,” which will be hosted at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, this Aug. 29 through Sept. 3. In return, the USEA will be supporting the Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover, which takes place this October 11-14 in Lexington, as a “Starting Gate Sponsor.”

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) gladly welcomes back longtime partner D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis as an “Official Bronze Sponsor of the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships” and an “Official Bronze Sponsor of the USEA Classic Series Training Level Three-Day.” As part of their partnership, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis will provide two saddles for the winners of the 2023 Novice and Training Level Three-Day Program drawings at the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention and gift certificates for custom belts as prizes for the AEC. The 2023 USEA AEC, presented by Nutrena Feeds, will take place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, on Aug. 29 through Sept. 3.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is pleased to welcome Devoucoux back as an “Official Bronze Level Sponsor of the AEC.” This Aug. 29 through Sept. 3, Devoucoux will be at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, in the USEA Sponsor Village displaying their line of luxury saddles and accessories at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Devoucoux will also provide gift certificates as prizes for the reserve champions in all 24 AEC divisions.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is delighted welcome 70° as an “Official Bronze Level Sponsor of the AEC” for 2023. 70° will be providing gift certificates for first through fifth place winners in all 24 divisions at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, this Aug. 29—Sept. 3 in Lexington, Kentucky. AEC competitors will also be able to shop their line of high-performance equestrian apparel at the 70° booth in the USEA Sponsor Village.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) would like to welcome Equilab as a new “USEA Member Rewards Partner.” Equilab will also be supporting the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds, as a “Official Prize Level Sponsor” and an “Official Sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships” this Aug. 29—Sept. 3 in Lexington, Kentucky. Champions in all 24 divisions at the 2023 AEC and all members of ATC winning teams will receive a gift card which can be redeemed for a 6-month subscription of Equilab Premium.

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) would like to welcome back Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation as an “Official Bronze Level Sponsor of the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships” and an “Educational Partner of the USEA.” Through this partnership, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation will provide regular educational content for USEA members to enjoy, and they will support the 2023 USEA AEC, which will take place this Aug. 29—Sept. 3 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation is also sponsoring the USEA Adult Rider Party at the AEC on Thursday, August 31.