United States Eventing Association

Fast Facts: 2019 USEA American Eventing Championships

The 2019 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds has finally arrived! In its 16^th year, the AEC is setting new records with nearly 1,000 riders descending on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for what promises to be a week packed full of first-class equestrian competition. Riders at Beginner Novice through Advanced levels will compete for the national titles in their respective divisions, and competitors in the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will be vying for a $30,000 winner’s check. The Intermediate and Bates Preliminary divisions will kick things off bright and early tomorrow morning with dressage commencing at 7:30 a.m.

• The 2019 USEA AEC set records this year, receiving 1,072 entries. The Championships will see 949 starters, the most at a single event in the history of eventing in North America.
• The first-ever $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will see 25 competitors with first place taking home a check for $30,000.
• The largest division at this year’s championships is the Open Intermediate with 69 competitors.
• The Bates Preliminary Amateur Championship will be the smallest division this year with 19 horse-and-rider combinations.
• The Equistro Modified/Training is a new level being introduced this year, and 32 competitors are set to compete for the chance to be the first-ever champion.
• Rider divisions, which were introduced in 2017, are back again this year. This division provides the opportunity for adult riders who cannot declare amateur status to compete in a division other than the Horse division at their respective level.
• New this year and bringing the total number of divisions to a record 23 is the Junior Novice 15 and Under Championship which will see 22 pairs. The Junior Beginner Novice 14 and Under division has 38 entrants.
• The Master Amateur divisions have returned this year for Novice and Beginner Novice levels specifically for riders ages 40 and over.
• Want to meet some of the AEC competitors? Read the Road to the AEC series!
• Cross-country courses for all levels have been designed by Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event and Tokyo 2020 course designer Derek di Grazia and built by Mick Costello.
• Bobby Murphy is the show jumping course designer. All riders will get the chance to show jump in the famous Rolex Stadium.
• For the sixth year in a row, the Adult Team Championships (ATC) will take place at the AEC. The ATC competitors will have their own prizes, prize money, and awards ceremony for the top three teams. There are a record 209 riders on 53 teams competing in this year's ATC. Learn more about the ATC at the AEC!
• Five hundred volunteers are donating their time and energy to make the 2019 USEA AEC possible this year. Please be sure to thank a volunteer this weekend, because none of this is possible without them! You can still sign up at www.eventingvolunteers.com.
• USEA Event College at the AEC presented by LandSafe will have a variety of free educational activities throughout the week. The LandSafe tent located in the AEC Trade Fair will have educational seminars led by eventing professionals Tuesday through Saturday at 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• The Mick Costello frangible device clinic will be held on Thursday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m. Attendees should meet on the Preliminary cross-country course at 14AB close to the Normandy Bank.
• Cross-country course walks for all levels will be led by USEA ICP certified instructors this year at the AEC. Stay tuned for details about the course walk schedule!
• There are nearly 70 generous sponsors supporting the 2019 USEA AEC, many of whom also have vendor booths on site this weekend for your shopping pleasure. Please support the sponsors who support your event!
• Get ready to party at the 2019 USEA AEC! Parties kick off with the welcome reception on Wednesday, Young and Adult Rider parties on Friday, and the competitor’s party on Saturday night in the VIP tent. Need extra tickets? Click here.
• General admission to the AEC is free for spectators! If you would like to purchase tickets for the events taking place throughout the weekend, click here.

Helpful Links

• USEA AEC Website
• Equestrian Events, Inc. Website
• 2019 USEA AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Stabling Assignments
• Facility Map
• Live Scores
• Livestream
• USEA's Coverage

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!
#AEC2019 | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

About the USEA American Eventing Championships

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds 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. This year, the AEC will be held August 27 – September 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 the following sponsors for their support of the AEC: Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsors: Bates Saddles, Equistro; Gold Level Sponsors: Charles Owen, Standlee Hay, Parker Equine Insurance; Silver Level Sponsors: Mountain Horse; The Jockey Club, Park Equine; Bronze Level Sponsors: Arnall’s Naturals, State Line Tack, Black Petticoat, Devoucoux, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Horseware Ireland, LandSafe SmartPak, Dubarry, The Chronicle of the Horse, Stackhouse and Ellis Saddles, Auburn Laboratories, FITS Riding, Ovation, Lanier Sand and Soil, Event Cooling Solutions, Farm House Tack; Contributing Level Sponsors: Ariat, Meanwhile Back on the Farm, L.V. Harkness, Lexmark, GLC Direct, Georgetown Tourism, FarmVet, FLAIR Nasal Strips, Nunn Finer, RevitaVet, Resvantage Equine, CrossCountry App; Prize Level Sponsors: GumBits, Ride Heels Down, C4 Belts, I Love My Horse, Mare Modern Goods, Bluegrass Vibershield, Bluegrass Animal Products, Caracol, Active Interest Media, Astrid’s Oil, Baekgaard, On The Bit Horse Supplies, Luxe EQ, EQ AM Magazine, Jetti Spa, Great British Equinery, Foxden Equine, The Scoring Chix, Pure Form Equine; Competitor’s Party Sponsors: Jacqueline Mars, Kat and Roberto Cuca, United States Hunter Jumper Association, and United States Dressage Federation.