United States Eventing Association

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is excited to announce the return of the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) set to take place at the upcoming USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The AEC will take place at the iconic Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky from Tuesday, Aug. 25, to Sunday, Aug. 30.

Building on the success of recent years, the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships continues to evolve to better serve adult riders across the country. For 2026, the Starter level will once again be offered, following its popular debut in 2025, alongside Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified divisions. To accommodate growing demand at these levels, the Preliminary division will not be offered, allowing expanded opportunities for participation where interest is strongest. In addition, the AEC will feature both Rider and Amateur divisions at every level from Starter through Modified. This expansion significantly increases accessibility and ensures more Adult Rider Program members have the opportunity to compete as part of an ATC team.

“We’re thrilled to continue building opportunities for riders at the Starter and Modified levels,” said Amy Winnen, USEA Adult Rider Committee Chairman. “The addition of Starter divisions and expanded opportunities reflects direct feedback from our members. We’ve seen a clear shift in participation, with growing enthusiasm at these levels, and the Adult Rider Program Coordinators Committee unanimously supported this evolution. Our goal is to make the best use of our resources while creating meaningful, inclusive experiences for as many riders as possible. We’re looking forward to welcoming even more competitors to the Adult Team Championships and celebrating the achievements of all Adult Rider Program members.”

The ATC is offered to USEA members who are part of their Area’s Adult Rider program (before Aug. 1), and they must be 22 years of age or older. Riders must enter either the Amateur division or the Rider division at the AEC at their respective level: Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified. The Adult Riders program will also be giving special trophy prizes to the top placing Adult Rider program members in the Preliminary Amateur and Rider divisions, since the Preliminary level is no longer offered in the ATC.

The USEA Adult Rider Coordinators are requiring that all ATC riders submit this letter of intent in order to be considered for an ATC team. Introduced in 2022, the letter of intent helps streamline the team selection process and allows coordinators to better gauge interest. Submitting the form does not obligate a rider to compete, but rather indicates their intent to be considered for a team should they choose to enter the AEC. Riders are encouraged to complete the form as early as possible; submissions are automatically shared with their Area Coordinator.

Fill out the ATC letter of intent here.

To compete at the USEA Adult Team Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park, please see the national qualification requirements below. Additionally, each area will have its own qualification standards, which may be viewed here.

National Qualifications for Entry into the 2026 USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC)

1. The rider must be a current Adult Rider Program Member for their Area by Aug. 1, 2026.
2. The qualifying period for each horse and rider pair is May 20, 2025 – Aug. 11, 2026.
3. Horses and riders must be members/registered with the USEA at the time of achieving qualifications and during the Adult Team Championships.
4. All riders must be 22 years of age or older.
5. Closing dates will be consistent with the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC).
6. Each horse and rider pair must meet AEC qualifications for the level they are competing in.
7. Letter of Intent must be submitted by Aug. 1, 2026.
8. Each Area may have up to nine teams, with a maximum of 39 riders, at the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, in the BN, N, T, M. Additionally, Areas may have up to 8 more riders (above the 39) if those riders are at the Starter level only.
9. All teams should be coordinated through the Area Adult Rider Coordinator(s).
10. The Adult Team Championship teams will be composed only of riders competing in the Amateur divisions and/or the Rider specific divisions hosted at the USEA American Eventing Championships. Riders competing in the Junior, Horse, and/or Open divisions cannot be placed on ATC teams.
11. Mixed Area teams are allowed and encouraged. All horse and rider pairs without a full team of 3-4 members must be identified by the Area Adult Rider Coordinators as qualified and willing to compete and submitted to the USEA for inclusion on a mixed team.

*Special note: All team members must be present at the ATC awards ceremonies to claim their prizes and ribbons. Exceptions will only be given to those with proof of medical, veterinary or emergency situations.

For questions regarding the ATC and your team, please reach out to your Area Adult Rider Coordinator.

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 nine teams and 39 riders for the BN, N, T, and M levels, plus an additional eight members if they are at the Starter level only. 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, Equilab, Gallagher’s Water, Kerrits, Majyk Equipe, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, SmartEquine, and Santa Cruz Animal Health for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.

About the USEA Adult Rider Program

The USEA Adult Rider Program is open to all adults, professional or amateur, aged 22 years and older. The program aims to unite adults across all skill and experience levels in a supportive program that promotes education, communication, recognition, and fun! The goal of the Adult Rider program is to continue to encourage participation in the sport of eventing beyond one’s junior years by providing educational programs, support to Area Adult Rider programs, funding opportunities, and the Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships, presented by Nutrena Feeds. Click here to learn more about the Adult Rider Program.

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 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on August 25-30 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, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Gallagher’s Water, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; and more!