United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—Aug. 29—The third day of the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds welcomed the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice and Starter Championship riders to the dressage arenas for another day of fun-filled action.

See who's leading below!

Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Horse Championship Larkspur, Colorado based Madeline Backus and her own five-year-old Trakehner gelding P.S. Sir Balinor (Stiletto x P.S. Arianna) are the top-placed combination in the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Horse Championship division. Backus previously competed the gelding’s dam through the five-star level, and now the pair head into tomorrow’s cross-country with a 25.8.

Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Rider Championship

After earning a stellar 20.2, Laura Bentley of Phoenix, Arizona, leads the field with Allison Jackson’s 7-year-old Hanoverian/American Warmblood gelding WokeUp (ES WakeUp x MS Benecia).

Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Amateur Championship

Gretchen Pope of San Anselmo, California, and her 6-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Optimistic Sol (George Clooney x Frizzle Liz) currently sit atop the pack with a 25.8 in the 27-horse division.

Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Junior Championship

Amelia Solivan Busque of Portolo Valley, California, and Kendra Mitchell’s 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Russian Roulette (Count Me In x Viva Evita) have a narrow lead in the competitive junior division and will head into cross-country tomorrow with a 25.0.

USEA Starter Junior Championship

Savvy Clayton, of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and Isabella Rega’s 16-year-old Connemara gelding Devon Ridge Artemas (Bantry Bay’s Dillon x Avenns Arrin Tara) started their week in first place after earning a 28.3.

USEA Starter Amateur Championship

Allison Hurton (Joshua Tree, California) and her 13-year-old Pony of the Americas gelding Chunk Norris have a one-point lead in their division and will head into cross-country with a 27.5.

USEA Starter Rider Championship

Sydni Nusink’s 8-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Maestro De La Nuit (Gaspard De La Nui x Titan's Twilight) performed beautifully for Carrie Matteson, earning the Eagle Mountain, Utah-based rider a 21.0 and front-runner position at the end of the day.

Helpful Links:

• USEA AEC Website
• Official AEC Digital Program
• AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Facility Map
• Equine Network Livestream/H&C Livestream
• AEC Digital Event Program
• Live Scores
• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Roster
• Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) Fast Facts
• USEA's Coverage

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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 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. 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, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; Silve Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsors: CrossCountry App, Santa Cruz Animal Health, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Horses 4 Your Consideration, LeMieux, Practical Horseman, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine, Werkman Hoofcare USA, and Whitfield Equine Nutrition.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. 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 2025, 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.

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 Starter Level to Modified 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 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, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.