United States Eventing Association

Leslie Law topped the leader board this morning in the Preliminary Horse division aboard the 6-year-old Irish Sport Horses, Bounce and Call The Law on a score of 26.9. Law describes, “I was really pleased. They were both extremely relaxed and allowed me to ride them forward. Bounce is the less experienced of the two but they both performed great tests and didn’t put a foot wrong.” Law has attended the Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships presented by VTO Saddlery the past two years at the Texas Rose Horse Park and makes a point to add this competition to his calendar. “I have hopes that these are horses that will progress up the levels, so to give them this type of exposure and experience at this age is vital. It’s a championship and you really get that feel here,” Law continues. Looking forward to tomorrow Law has his eye on the Lonestar Water Complex, especially the ‘C’ element, which is a corner after the water. “It’s definitely a good championship question for my horses. It walks a forward three strides, so they might show a bit of inexperience there but overall the course asks good questions.”

Arden Stephens performed a lovely test aboard No More Rocks to lead the Junior Young Rider Open Preliminary division on a score of 28.9. “He really doesn’t change from home to the show ring, which helps me know exactly how to ride him in the ring. He was very relaxed and happy to be here!” Stephens made the trek from Arkansas to Texas to fully partake in the championship experience. “The AEC is different from any other event because the courses are harder, the competition is more intense and the atmosphere is much more exciting,” Stephens explains.

Ashley Hays and Call It Courage laid down a competitive test this morning to score a 23.2 in the Professional’s Choice Training Amateur division. “He was super today. I’ve struggled in the past with keeping his focus in the dressage ring but today he was just spot on. He began his competition career last October and he’s worked really hard all year. Anything I’ve asked him to do he has really stepped up to the plate.” Hays is excited to take on the Training-level cross-country course tomorrow with hopes to produce a great result. Hays describes, “The courses here at the Texas Rose Horse Park are always phenomenal and run well. I’m looking forward to giving my horse a shot at a championship level course that will hold his attention.”

Keep up with the live scores here.

About the AEC

The Nutrena USEA American Eventing Championships, Presented by VTO Saddlery is the annual American championship for every level of the Olympic equestrian sport of Eventing, from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This year the AEC is being held from September 24-27 at the Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, Texas.

The USEA would like to thank all the generous sponsors of the 2015 AEC including:

Nutrena, VTO Saddlery, Adequan, Merial, Professional’s Choice, Broadstone,Devoucoux, Priefert, Standlee Hay, Charles Owen, Merck Animal Health, Pyranha Fly and Insect Control, Practical Horseman, DG Stackhouse, Animals to Wear, Fleeceworks, The Chronicle of the Horse, FLAIR, SmartPak, CWD, Brody Robertson Show Jumps, Point Two Air Jackets, Equine Art by Julie, Ovation, Eventing Training Online, Auburn Laboratories, Sunsprite Warmbloods, Back on Track, FITS,The Jockey Club, GumBits, NTEA, Schneiders Tack, Greenwood Farm, Pro View Global Digital Surveillance, The Scoring Chix, C4 Belts, Horse Hydrator, Kastel Denmark, SportsBrainUSA, Nature’s Select, EasyCare Inc, Likit, Noble Outfitters and more!