United States Eventing Association

The opening date for the 2009 Bit of Britain/USEA American Eventing Championships is just around the corner! As you are filling out your entry form and digging up a copy of your Coggins, get inspired by some of last year’s winners. Here are some thoughts from the champions of various divisions about their experiences at last year’s competition:

Mara Dean (Olympic rider and winner of the Training Horse Division,2008): “My favorite part of the AECs is the prestige; it feels like a big time event and they cater to your every needs,” Mara says. “I definitely recommend going to compete at the AECs because it is a fantastic competing experience for young and old. I am hoping to be competing at the 2009 Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials which is the same weekend at AECs, but I am definitely encouraging all my students to attend the AECs!”

Donna Miller (winner of the Training Amateur Division and the Optimum Time Award, 2008) made the 12 hour journey from Alpharetta, Georgia to the AEC with her daughter Devon and their two horses. “The 2008 AEC was a great experience for my daughter and me,” Donna said. “We love the overall atmosphere of the event and because it is run over several days we made a vacation of it and got there and just relaxed. We love being able to watch everyone from Beginner Novice riders to the professionals in the Advanced divisions, shop at the vendors, and participate in the activities. Although, we won’t be able to make it this year because Devon is competing at the North American Junior/Young Riders Championships in July, we are so excited about the AEC being in our “backyard” when they come to Chattahoochee Hills in 2010.”

Leslie Law and Lesley Grant-Law (Leslie, Olympic gold medalist and the winner of the Advanced Division in 2008, and winner of the Training Horse Division in 2007): “We love the AEC and always look forward to the atmosphere that it brings,” Lesley says. “It's a fabulous event with wonderful prizes and if we can be there we will be there!”

Tera MacDonald (winner of the Novice Horse Division, 2008) has competed at the AEC every year since 2005. “I love being able to compete at the some horse show as upper level riders that I admire such as Leslie Law,” Tera said. “The AEC is equivalent to the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event for most amateur riders. I will definitely be back in 2009 with as many horses as I can qualify!”

Jamie Marlewski (winner of the Preliminary Amateur Division, 2008): “I love the events at Lamplight Equestrian Center; it was so nice receiving all the amazing prizes last year,” Jamie said. “Although it is up in the air if I am going to be able to bring Sprint Tech (the horse she won on last year) since he is being treated for EPM and a bone spur, I am qualified on one of Cheryl Quick’s ponies in the Novice division and I hope to be able to come this year with him.”

Charlee Marinovich (winner of the Novice Junior Division, 2008) plans to come back to AEC this year to compete at the training level. “My favorite thing about the competition is meeting all the wonderful riders and then having the chance to compete against them,” Charlee says. “I also love all the different vendors they always have something going on and the show is always so organized, the people there are great and very helpful. It’s a fun environment to be around!”