Aug 25, 2024

Fast Facts: 2024 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

By Meagan DeLisle - USEA Staff

The 2024 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) are shaping up to be an exciting showdown amongst members of the USEA Adult Rider program from around the country! There are 49 teams made up of 193 Adult Riders from coast to coast competing in the Beginner Novice, Novice, Modified, Training, and Preliminary Adult Team Championship this year. Check out some fast facts about this year’s ATC and meet each of the teams that are hoping to ride off with the title of Champion below.

The Field:

  • The Beginner Novice and Novice divisions take the cake as having the most teams per level with 15 teams each.
  • Training level will see 11 ATC teams battle it out, and both Modified and Preliminary levels will have four teams each in contention.
  • While some teams are made up of riders from specific areas, there are 21 blended teams from different USEA areas. These blended teams not only allow for more Adult Riders to participate in the ATC but also allow Adult Riders from all over the U.S. the opportunity to meet riders they may have never had the chance to connect with in person before.
  • Adams Horse Supply has so kindly stepped up as the Title Sponsor this year’s ATC and is also offering ATC competitors the opportunity to win big in an additional quest during the AEC through the ATC Scavenger Hunt. Learn more here.
  • Speaking of Adams Horse Supply, AEC and ATC competitor Jen Helgren co-owns Adams Horse Supply with her husband. You can find her competing in the Modified ATC on team Sunshine in the Bluegrass and the Novice ATC representing team Make Mine a Double Clear. Please join us in showing her your gratitude of their support of the USEA ATC.
  • ATC competitors are encouraged to arrive at Thursday night's Adult Rider party in their team gear. We heard there might be some door prizes from Adams Horse Supply for the best costumes. ;)
  • Of the USEA Areas, Area II and Area III have the most teams with eight competing across all levels. Between the blended teams, each of the 10 USEA Areas is represented.
    • Area I has five teams
    • Area IV has one team
    • Area VIII has six teams
  • ATC competitors must be members of the Adult Rider Program and compete in either the Rider or the Amateur division of their level to take part in a team. Divisions that offer Master Amateur are also eligible.
  • The mastermind behind all of the logistics of the Adult Team Championships, USEA Adult Rider Committee Chair, Amy Winnen gets to compete herself on a team this year! Be sure to cheer her on in gratitude for all of the work she has put into these Championships over the years. She will be competing with the Bourbon and Bays team in the Novice ATC.
  • Teams can be made up of three or four team members. Teams of four are allotted one drop score. The three lowest-scoring competitors on teams of four or all three scores on teams are added up at the end of the competition and the team with the lowest finishing score will be deemed Champions.

Swipe through each of the teams in the gallery below!

The Facts:

  • The AEC is co-organized by Mary Fike of the Kentucky Classique H.T. and Equestrian Events, Inc.
  • The technical delegates are Rick Caldwell, Jeri Mathney, Robyn Munson, and Eileen Pritchard-Bryan.
  • Peter Gray is the President of the Ground Jury for the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final and the USEA Intermediate Championship with Helen Brettell assisting, and Christel Carlson is the President of the Ground Jury for all other Championship divisions.
  • Julie Congleton, Janice Holmes, Lori Hoos, Wayne Quarles, Vicky Stashuk-Matisi, Beth Wheeler, and Karen Winn are the dressage judges.
  • Peter Barrows is the show jumping judge.
  • Jay Hambly is the cross-country course designer.
  • Bobby Murphy is the show jumping course designer.
  • Live streaming will be available through Horse & Country; please refer to the schedule below to see what phases will be offered each day. All live streaming will be free on the day of. More information on purchasing on-demand replays or individual rounds can be found here.
  • Frankie Thieriot Stutes of Athletux will be offering live commentary of the Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions of the livestream this year.
  • Erin Gilmore Photography is the official photographer and online galleries can be viewed here.
  • Be sure to visit all of the wonderful sponsors and vendors of the AEC. Access the full list and map here.
  • All cross-country maps for every level will be uploaded to the CrossCountry App and can be viewed here or on your phone via the app!

Helpful Links

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

#AEC2024 | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport at the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Starter to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of combinations 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. In fact, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the largest eventing competition in North American history. The 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 27—Sept. 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 Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Horse & Country; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Parker Equine Insurance, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club, Rood & Riddle; Bronze Level Sponsor: 70 Degrees, Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kraft Horse Walkers, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorses Project, Ride EquiSafe, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Contributing Level Sponsors: Cross Country App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: BEMER, Big Ass Fans, Boyd Martin Fan Shop, Ecogold, EquiFit, Equilab, FarmVet, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kentucky Equine Research, LeMieux, Mare Goods, Neighborly Tack, Outlaw Nutrition, Palmera Polo, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman / Equine Network, Rachel Dory Equine Fine Art, Remond Minerals, Secretariat Center, Shapley’s, Sidelines Magazine, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kerrits, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.

Aug 26, 2024 ATC

USEA Podcast #368: 2024 USEA AEC Already Breaking Records Before It Has Even Began

This week kicks off arguably the busiest week in eventing in the United States as the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds gets started at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. This national championship will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 27, and run through Sunday, Sept. 1, and will feature competition from the Starter level all the way up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.

Aug 26, 2024 AEC

Fast Facts: 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds

It’s our favorite week of the year—the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds will begin tomorrow morning at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Eventers from all over the U.S. have traveled to the Bluegrass State for the biggest eventing championship in the nation which will run from Aug. 27-Sept. 1 and feature competition from the Starter level all the way up to Advanced.

Aug 25, 2024 AEC

Access the #AEC2024 Official Program

With the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds just two days away, the USEA is proud to share the official digital program for this year's championships. Access schedule information, facility maps, trade fair listings, prize details, special award listings, and so much more in this year's program. Click on the program cover below to check it out!

Aug 24, 2024

Road to the AEC: I’m Not Giving Up on My Dream, Just Changing the Path

My road to the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds looks a bit different this year than it has in previous years. My name is Diana Craven, and I am a 21-year-old three-day event rider.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA

Official Horse Boot of the USEA

Official Shockwave of the USEA

Official Horse Wear of the USEA