After a two-year wait, the 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds has finally arrived! Nearly 1,000 horses and riders will get to experience the thrill of pulling into the Kentucky Horse Park this week to compete in a competition unlike any other. From the determined Junior Beginner Novice rider who has been dreaming of this week to the consummate professional looking for their chunk of the $100,000 in prize money – the AEC is special for all.
Monday, August 30
3:00 p.m. - All Cross-Country Courses Open
Tuesday, August 31
8:00 a.m. - Dressage - Intermediate and Preliminary (Claiborne and Stonelea Arenas)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
Wednesday, September 1
7:30 a.m. Dressage - Advanced, Modified, and Training (Walnut, Claiborne, and Stonelea Arenas)
8:30 a.m. Cross-Country - Intermediate and Preliminary
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
Thursday, September 2
7:42 a.m. - Cross-Country - Advanced, Modified, and Training
8:00 a.m. - Dressage - Novice (Walnut, Claiborne, and Stonelea Arenas)
9:00 a.m. - Show Jumping - Intermediate and Preliminary (Johnson/Rolex Stadium)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
Friday, September 3
7:30 a.m. - Show Jumping - Modified and Training (Johnson/Rolex Stadium)
8:00 a.m. - Dressage - Beginner Novice (Walnut, Claiborne, and Stonelea Arenas)
8:00 a.m. - Cross-Country - Novice
6:30 p.m. - Competitors’ Party (VIP Tent) during the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final
7:15 p.m. - Show Jumping – Advanced (Johnson/Rolex Stadium)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
Saturday, September 4
7:30 a.m. - Show Jumping – Novice (Johnson/Rolex Stadium)
8:00 a.m. - Cross-Country - Beginner Novice
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
Sunday, September 5
7:30 a.m. - Show Jumping - Beginner Novice (Johnson/Rolex Stadium)
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.- Vendor Village Open
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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. With over 1,000 entries the 2021 AEC is set to be the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held August 31 – September 5 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.
The 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors! The USEA would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Vetoquinol; Gold Level Sponsors: Parker Equine Insurance, ShowConnect, Smartpak, Standlee Hay; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Park Equine Hospital, Mountain Horse, The Jockey Club; Saratoga Horseworks; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70 Degrees, Athletux, Black Petticoat, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, Dubarry of Ireland, Equilume, FITS Riding, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, LandSafe Equestrian, Parks Tax & Consulting, Retired Racehorse Project, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Contributing Level Sponsors: Big Ass Fans, CrossCountry App, FarmVet, GLC Direct, Haygain, John Deere, L.V. Harkness, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Prize Level Sponsors: American Saddlebred Horse Association, Astrid’s Oil, Bluegrass Animal Products, Dressage TestPro, EQuine AMerica Magazine, Flexible Fit Equestrian, Achieve Equine/FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Great British Equinery, Horse & Country, Hound & Hare, I Love My Horse, Mare Modern Goods, Romitelli Riding Boots, Strides for Equality Equestrians, Tack of the Town, VetBlue, The Equine Network, and Horse&Country
One of my passions is continuing to be a good student, because I think no matter how old I get, there are multiple reasons learning new things inspires me. First and foremost, it helps me be a better rider and trainer, so my horses benefit. Second, it helps me be a better teacher by exposing me to different ways to have a relationship with a horse or a student.
This month we’re going to begin a three-part series on how to create positive riding experiences by making sure the words you say to yourself and the thoughts you think to yourself are positive. Referred to as self-talk, internal dialogue, or brain babble; the words you say to yourself can have a huge impact on your performance. In fact, your thoughts and voice are actually considered behaviors, and just like how positive physical behaviors (i.e. a balanced transition) can create success, your verbal behaviors can also accomplish the very same thing. So let's spend the next few months talking about how to talk to yourself!
Being spontaneous has paid off for Kevin Keane and Sportsfield Candy. “I bought him on a Wednesday and showed him on a Thursday,” Keane recalls about his first event with his Irish Sport Horse gelding, then 9 years old, at Plantation Field Horse Trials (Unionville, Pennsylvania) in September 2016. “I owned him for part of a day, and the next morning I showed up at a CCI and jogged him up for a two-star, and we went clean and clean and clean.”
THANK YOU to everyone who has already entered the USEF/USEA Recognized CDCTA Spring Horse Trials scheduled for Sunday, April 9 in Berryville, VA. We will continue to take late entries through Friday, March 24 using USEA’s Xentry system. If you still want to come compete, please enter! The late fee has been waived through Friday, March 24.