United States Eventing Association

#AEC2024 ARMA Training Championship Division Competitors Soar Through Cross-Country

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 29—All four Training championship divisions completed their cross-country today at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Read on to learn more about them!

ARMA USEA Training Rider Championship

In the final Training division who took their turn on the cross-country track on Thursday, the leaderboard from dressage was shaken up with new riders taking the podium positions. Based only a few minutes down the road from the Kentucky Horse Park in Midway, Kentucky, Abby Blackburn jumped up from third to take the lead after a top performance in cross-country on Ballysimon Cavalier (by Rahinch). Blackburn picked up the ride on Kaitlyn Samuel’s 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding earlier this year but their lack of time in the competition arena together certainly haven’t slowed them down.

“He tried his heart out for me today. Cross-country is where he shines,” Blackburn said. "He is so brave and bold, but he's also very rideable. He listens, and he’ll come right back to me. He holds his lines great and he’s quick on his feet. He tries so hard, and if I mess up a little bit, he’ll get me out of it.”

“I love the atmosphere with so many top riders competing and great vendors. It’s a big deal!” explained Blackburn. “Looking ahead to tomorrow, show jumping is one of my weaker phases so my goal is to give him a good ride. I get more psyched out in show jumping than cross-country because it's so much more precise and technical but I think he actually jumps so well in a big atmosphere like AECs.”

In second place following a double-clear performance and a score of 28.7 is Avery Cascarino on Excel Star Quidam’s Cavalier (Quidam Junior x Kilmoon). The 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding is owned by Gloria Cascarino.

Ending cross country on their dressage score of 28.9 is Emma Hilt and her 13-year-old Thoroughbred gelding The Blues Man (Cosmonaut x whateverwillbewillbe).

ARMA USEA Training Amateur Championship

Following dressage on Wednesday, Lisa Borgia and Marina Cassou were tied for first place with a score of 28.3 but Pennsylvania-based rider Cassou had her eyes on the prize heading into cross-country on Thursday.

With a fast and clean performance, Cassou skillfully piloted the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Cooley Monsoon (Ramiro B x Declans Folly) to a double clear cross-country round to overtake the division lead heading into show jumping.

Owned by Beatrice Cassou, the pair have been together for two years, and while the four-star experienced gelding is teaching Marina the ropes of the higher levels, it was actually the gelding’s first time navigating the cross-country track at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“I’m really excited with how the entire course went,” Marina said. “He was a bit wild and excited in the warm-up, but I trust him and knew he wasn’t going to do anything bad. I was worried about the heat but he galloped well and felt really fit. He got all the striding right, so I’m very happy about that. He rocked it like a champ!”

Marina recently graduated high school and is taking a gap year to focus on riding before heading to college. Looking ahead to the last phase, she’s is confident they have what it takes to take home the tricolor.

“I’m really excited for tomorrow,” she said. “He’s pretty awesome at show jumping, so knock on wood we don’t take down any rails. We are thinking positive thoughts!”

Right on her heels with a score of 29.1 following a double clear cross-country round was Julie Pifer on Magnific C’Imagination (Cimarron x Magnific Fashion), a 6-year-old Holsteiner mare she co-owns with Marcia Brody.

Jumping up from fifth place in dressage into third after his double clear cross-country score of 29.2 is Kevin Keane on his 7-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Guggenheim (Fly x V.Selle 1Z).

ARMA USEA Training Junior Championship

Consistent performances by Tessa Geven helped her maintain her lead from dressage on her 7-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred mare Ameristan (Cosa Vera x Seeking Allie). A former steeplechaser and who also dabbled in fox hunting, the light-footed mare is known in the barn as “Wednesday.” Often in the shadows of Geven’s other mount, Caheradoo Jack, this championship division has Wednesday sitting firmly in the lead with a 26.6 dressage score and a double clear cross-country round.

“I rode Wednesday second today and luckily, I had friends help me switch horses,” Geven said. “I got tired, especially near the end of the course but she was so incredible and saved my butt. We tend to have issues at water, and coming into the water today she was backing off so I had to ride her really strong. We made it though, and I’m excited for tomorrow. There is a lot of pressure. At a couple of shows in the past, she’s pulled the last rail in show jumping so I’m a bit worried about that last fence. I’m going to try to just try to imagine that I’m riding the course twice in my mind.”

Geven’s other mount, Kathelen Amos’ Caheradoo Jack (Jack’s Delight x Caheradoo Echo) is sitting in second place with a score of 29.3 after double clear on the cross-country track.

“He’s for sale so this is our last show together, but I had so much fun on our last cross-country,” Geven said. “I was really impressed with him today, and he had a lot of energy. Last year we were here and jumped clear at Training, and we got second so he is familiar with the environment.”

While it’s Geven’s fifth AEC experience, the competitive atmosphere is one that remains special to her.

“I really enjoy the excitement and nerves of competing with so many talented riders. I love every second of competing at the AECs,” Geven continued. “I’m pretty excited about being placed one-two today. We’ve worked really hard this year, and I came in knowing they could both do well and place in the top 10, but I was not expecting to have both in the top 3. These horses surprise me every day, and I’m so lucky to have such amazing horses.”

Giving her no breathing room with a score of 29.8 after a double clear cross-country, Jules Jarrell on her 16-year-old Paint gelding All Dun Up (Comedian x Buckskin Bell).

ARMA USEA Training Horse Championship

The former USEA 4- and 5-Year-Old Young Event Horse champion Shmick (Luigi d'Eclipse x Winter Lady), a now-6-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Anne Hennesey, took the lead in the ARMA USEA Training Horse Championship division following a double clear cross-country ride with Boyd Martin.

“He has incredible quality–he could be a pure dressage horse, or a show jumper or hunter–you name it, he could do it,” Martin explained. “It was a joy to ride him around the Training course today. He's still a green horse, and it’s quite a challenging track with a lot to look at. I've taken my time with him and not pushed him up to Modified. I just feel like he’s still a young artist developing. I feel like he’s learned alot this weekend, and we are in good shape going into show jumping.”

Sharon White and her 7-year-old Hanoverian mare Quizas (Quantensprung x Seraphina) also had a clear cross-country trip, and the pair are sitting in second heading into show jumping.

Rounding out the top 3 with a score of 25.2 is Lily Barlow and Spiderman, her 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Jus d’O.

Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

Cross-country was particularly influential for the 11 teams that are duking it out for the win in the Training Adult Team Championship. Yesterday's leading team, Training for Los Angeles, dropped to 11th place. Taking their spot is Keep Calm & Gallop On which is made up of Julie Pifer, Lisa Borgia, Anna White and Jessica Goldberg.

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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 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 27—Sept. 1 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, Horse & Country; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club, Rood & Riddle; Bronze Level Sponsor: 70 Degrees, Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kraft Horse Walkers, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorses Project, Ride EquiSafe, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Contributing Level Sponsors: Cross Country App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: BEMER, Big Ass Fans, Boyd Martin Fan Shop, Ecogold, EquiFit, Equilab, FarmVet, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kentucky Equine Research, LeMieux, Mare Goods, Neighborly Tack, Outlaw Nutrition, Palmera Polo, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman / Equine Network, Rachel Dory Equine Fine Art, Remond Minerals, Secretariat Center, Shapley’s, Sidelines Magazine, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.

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 eight teams from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level to the ATC. 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 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kerrits, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.