United States Eventing Association

Coleman and Diabolo Take Home the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Title

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 30—Riders and eventing fans from every level at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds gathered in the Rolex Stadium at the Kentucky Horse Park this evening under the lights to watch the feature division, the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, come to its exciting conclusion.

Boyd Martin and Tseterleg TSF, a 17-year-old Trakehner gelding (Windfall 2 x Thabana) owned by Christine and Thomas Turner and Tommie Turner, had no rails in hand after leading the first two phases, but three rails down over Bobby Murphy’s track dropped them to sixth place, leaving the door open for Will Coleman and the Diabolo Group’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado x Roulett M) to take the win, despite adding .4 time penalties. They finished on a final score of 36.0—tied with Martin on his second ride, Commando 3, 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Connor 48 x R-Adelgunde) owned by Yankee Creek Ranch LLC, but since they were closest to the optimum time on cross-country, the tie was broken in their favor.

Phillip Dutton and the Possante Group’s 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Possante (Namelus R x Wendelien) finished third on a score of 40.6, adding 1.2 time penalties. In total, seven pairs jumped double-clear of 35 to start.

Coleman was happy with “Dab’s” performance this week, and noted the run was a good prep for the gelding’s planned first five-star at the MARS Maryland 5 Star (Elkton, Maryland) in October.

“I think a lot of the horse, and this just a preparatory event for us,” he said. “We're trying to get him ready for Maryland. It's his first five-star, and it's a big question for him, but I think he's a quality horse.”

Martin’s Commando 3 will also be looking towards a five-star debut in Maryland after he was named as Martin’s reserve horse for the Olympics in Paris last month.

“I've been having him ultra-prepared to step in at any minute,” he said after cross-country yesterday. “We had him very fit and schooled up and ready to rumble for last month. I'm just so excited for the future with ‘Conner.’ He's just an amazing animal.”

Dutton will be looking towards a fall CCI4*-L with Possante and said he felt their partnership has been coming together steadily since he took on the ride last year. “Today’s phase was probably the toughest and hardest for him and I together,” he said. “He left all the rails up. He’s an exciting horse. He literally gets better every week.”

All of the top 3 riders expressed their concern and well-wishes for Liz Halliday, who fell from Shanroe Cooley on yesterday’s cross-country course. She was hospitalized with a head injury, but her family released a statement that said she was in stable condition and resting comfortably.

“On mind all day has been Liz and just really wishing her the best possible recovery and sending her family and all her connections as much support as we can give them,” said Coleman. “Just hoping she's going to be back and just really pulling for her.”

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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 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 28-30, 2024. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2024, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.