United States Eventing Association

Everything You Should Know About the 2019 USEA Adult Team Championships

Considered the capstone event for adult riders, the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will take place at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) on August 27-September 1 in Lexington, Kentucky. The USEA Adult Team Challenges have been held across the country for over 20 years. At first, the Adult Rider Program held three regional championships – East, West, and Central. In 2014, those three championships morphed into one as the USEA Board of Governors approved a new model to re-energize the Adult Rider Program. They claimed the ‘fun award’ in 2014 and have claimed it every year since.

Last year, avengers, chicks, divas, a dude, and a Wakanda tribe took home top honors at the 2018 USEA ATC. ‘Avengers Assemble’ with Ruth Bley, Mallory Stiver, Whitney Tucker Billeter, and Jeanette Gilbret won the Preliminary Adult Team Championship. ‘Area VI Chicks with Kicks’ with Tracy Alves, Dawn Robbins, Karen Bristing, and Michelle Capparelli won the Training Adult Team Championship. ‘Three Divas and a Dude’ with Erin Contino, Chris Kawcak, Kris Greenway, and Michele Smith won the Novice Adult Team Championship. ‘Wakanda Forever!’ with Annie Desmond, Nikki Lloyd, Pia Tucker, and Carrie Matteson won the Beginner Novice Adult Team Championship. For the fifth year in a row, the ATC team spirit will return to the AEC starting on August 27.

Who can compete at the 2019 ATC?

The Adult Team Championships are for adult riders. Riders must be current members of the USEA and must be 22 years of age or older. Riders must currently be enrolled in the USEA Adult Rider Program in their Area and entered in either the Amateur division or Rider division at the AEC. Click here to see the qualifications for Amateur and Rider divisions.

How do you qualify for the 2019 ATC?

Each horse and rider pair must meet AEC qualifications for the level they are competing in. Four divisions are offered at ATC: Preliminary Team Championship, Training Team Championship, Novice Team Championship, and Beginner Novice Team Championship. Each Area has different qualifications and interested adult riders are encouraged to contact their Area Adult Rider Coordinator for selection procedures. Click here to find a list of Area Adult Rider Coordinators.

How are ATC teams formed?

Teams are specific to each level and each Area can have up to eight teams of four riders at the ATC. Mixed Area teams are allowed and encouraged, and all teams should be coordinated through the Area Adult Rider Coordinator.

Separate from AEC prizes, the ATC will have their own prizes, prize money, and awards ceremony for the top three teams. The ATC awards ceremonies are built into the schedule after the Rider and Amateur divisions after each level. In order to make the award ceremonies memorable, attendance is required for the top three ATC teams. If a competitor is not at the ATC awards ceremony, they will not receive their ATC prize money or prizes.

The open and closing dates are consistent with AEC. Entries opened on Tuesday, July 16 and will close on Tuesday, August 13. For more information on the Adult Team Championships, click here. For more information on the 2019 AEC, click here.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of horses and riders 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. The 2019 USEA American Eventing Championships will be held August 27-September 1, 2019 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.