The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to offer the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the upcoming USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. The Adult Team Championships will be offered once again at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Preliminary levels for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program, and newly added this year, the Modified level will be included in the ATC as well.
The ATC are offered to USEA members who are part of their Area’s Adult Rider program (before July 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 (BN, N, T, M, P).
The USEA Adult Rider Coordinators are requiring that all ATC riders submit this letter of intent before the AEC opening date, July 18, 2023 in order to be considered for an ATC team. The letter of intent was introduced in 2022 as a way to streamline and organize the team-creation process. Please fill out the form as soon as possible and a copy will be automatically submitted to your Area Coordinator.
Fill out the ATC letter of intent here.
In order to compete at the USEA Adult Team Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, on Aug. 29-Sept. 3, 2023, please see the national qualification requirements below. Additionally, each area will have its own qualification standards, which may be viewed here.
Qualifications for entry into the USEA Adult Team Championships (National Requirements)
For questions regarding the ATC and your team, please reach out to your Area Adult Rider Coordinator.
About the USEA American Eventing Championships
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 Beginner Novice 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 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 29S— Sept. 3 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, Capital Square, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Mountain Horse, The Jockey Club, Kerrits; and more!
About the Adult Team Championships
The USEA Adult Team Challenges have given adult riders a chance to compete in a friendly team competition. For many years, the Challenges were held annually in different locations (Eastern, Central, and Western) around the United States, but in an effort to re-energize the program, the membership of the USEA voted to change the overall model of the program. Starting in 2014, every Area was encouraged to hold Adult Team Challenges to offer adult riders the opportunity to compete in team competitions leading up to the USEA Adult Team Championships held at the USEA American Eventing Championships. As a result, Adult Team Challenges were no longer isolated to the three challenges around the country. Instead, there may be as many as 10 opportunities to compete in a Challenge, with a final occurring at the Adult Team Championships at the AEC! The ATC is now offered at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, and Preliminary levels at the AEC. The USEA would like to thank The Chronicle of the Horse, FITS Riding, Nutrena Feeds, SmartPak, Achieve Equine/FLAIR, Kerrits, and Horse & Country TV for sponsoring the USEA Adult Team Championships.
Have your travels to Kentucky for the 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event begun yet? We've got the perfect podcast episode to help you make the time on the plane or in the car pass by as you prepare for all of the excitement of the CCI4*-S and CCI5*-L that will take place this week. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown sits down with Will Coleman to talk all about this iconic week in U.S. eventing, his plans for the four-star this year (including an adorable homage to long-term partner Off the Record), his first ever time competing at Kentucky, and so much more!
Happy Kentucky week eventing fans! The 2025 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event kicks off with the first formal horse inspection for the five-star field this Wednesday, April 23. With so much excitement building up for the competition this year, we compiled all the facts you might want to know about this year's five-star lineup. Get to know each of the horses and riders entered this year a little bit better below!
Horse trials, from local grassroots competitions to FEI-level events, are the heartbeat of the eventing world. These trials are more than just a test of skill for riders and horses; they are essential to the growth and sustainability of the entire equestrian community.
Whether you've brought your horse up from Novice or took on the ride later in their career, getting to your first five-star on a special partner is a huge accomplishment.