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
Thirty-five horses five-star horses presented today under sunny skies at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.
If all goes according to plan in the first part of the extended weekend, we will see 36 horses galloping across Derek di Grazia's CCI5*-L cross-country course at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (DK3DE). We partnered up with the team at CrossCountry App to bring you a preview of both the five-star and CCI4*-s tracks this year.
Lights, cameras, action! The first formal horse inspection (which some might informally refer to as "the jog") at the 2024 Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event (K3DE) takes place this afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. While this part of the event is a fan-favorite historically based on the impeccable turnout of the horses and the stylish and forward fashion choices of the riders (we are looking at you Boyd Martin in hopes that you bring back the American flag suit circa 2022), it serves a very important purpose: ensuring that each horse is fit, sound, and ready to compete at the five-star level.
There are so many things to love about the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event and the opportunity to peruse the booths of so many amazing vendors is definitely one of them! Don’t forget to stop by the USEA booth, located just behind the Rolex Stadium next to the large Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event booth, to stock up on all of your favorite USEA apparel.