United States Eventing Association

Gifts Fit for Champions: The USEA Offers Over $100,000 in Prizes at the 2024 AEC

One week from today, nearly 1,000 eager eventing enthusiasts with top qualifications gained at events across the U.S. will converge on Lexington, Kentucky, to fight for champion status at this year’s USEA American Eventing Championship (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds!

As the host of 26 national championship divisions, the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) for Adult Rider Program members in the Beginner Novice through Preliminary level, and the pinnacle $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, the stage is set for an epic week of competition and camaraderie at the 2024 AEC on Aug. 27 to Sept. 1.

In partnership with all the generous AEC sponsors, the USEA is offering more than $100,000 in prize money and an abundance of generous gifts across all 26 AEC divisions, including two brand new Starter Championships. The USEA will be providing prize packets through fifth place in all divisions, which will contain gift certificates redeemable for prizes from many popular brands! Some gift certificates can even be redeemed on-site at sponsors’ vendor booths in the AEC Trade Fair.

Presenting Sponsor Nutrena Feeds will help support prize funds for each division and will be providing coupons for free bags of feed at their booth in the AEC Trade Fair. Nutrena has been a longstanding, dedicated sponsor of the USEA, and along with financially supporting the AEC, they also serve as the “Official Feed of the USEA.”

Adequan, “The Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA,” returns as the Title Sponsor of the Advanced Final and is offering prize money through 20^th place, and all Advanced competitors will receive custom branded baseball hats. The champion of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final will go home with a supersized $30,000 check and the reserve champion will receive $10,000.

Platinum Sponsor, Bates Saddles, will yet again provide over $17,000 in prizes for first through fifth place in every AEC division, as well as the top three teams in the ATC, ranging from certificates for saddle pads and stirrup leathers to competition bags and even a few saddles! Bates will remain as the Title Sponsor of the Preliminary divisions and the “Official Saddle of the USEA.”

Increasing their support from 2023, Horse & Country has stepped up to a Platinum Level Sponsorship and will return as the “Official Live Stream Provider” of the AEC. As part of their partnership, Horse & Country will be providing gift certificates for H&C+ annual memberships for all AEC division champions. In addition, AEC competitors and supporters will be able to watch all levels of the AEC free of charge thanks to a complimentary 7-day trial of H&C+.

ARMA, a brand of Shires Equestrian, Inc., partnered with the USEA as the “Official Horse Boot of the USEA” as a new corporate sponsor in 2024, and as part of their partnership, they will be a Gold Sponsor of the AEC and a sponsor of the ATC. ARMA will provide prizes for the division champions in all 26 AEC divisions and the winning teams of each of the five ATC divisions.

Gold Sponsor, Schneiders Saddlery, will provide champion show coolers for all AEC and ATC winners at this year’s event as “The Official Horse Wear of the USEA.” SmartPak, “the Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA,” Gold Sponsor of the AEC, and Contributing Sponsor of the ATC, will provide $50 gift certificate to all AEC Champions and Reserve Champions and $25 gift certificates for all third-place winners. They will also be generously providing gift certificates for the top three teams in the ATC.

Standlee, “The Official Forage of the USEA,” has returned as a Gold Sponsor of the AEC and will provide gift certificates and Standlee treats for all division champions of the AEC. Parker Equine Insurance, “The Official Equine Insurance of the USEA,” and PulseVet, “The Official Shockwave of the USEA,” will also be supporting the AEC as Gold Sponsors, helping to fund the prize purses.

Returning Silver Sponsors, Auburn Laboratories, Kerrits, The Jockey Club and Rood & Riddle, are joined by new Silver partner Canter Culture, to add to the plethora of prizes in the pot for AEC competitors. Auburn Laboratories will provide certificates for 12 oz. bottles of their signature APF for the top three in every AEC division.

Kerrits, “The Official Competition and Training Apparel of the USEA,” will be providing gift certificates for first through fifth in all AEC divisions, as well as the top three teams in the ATC divisions, exchangeable for Kerrits innovative riding apparel.

The Jockey Club will provide Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) awards to the Thoroughbred champions and reserve champions in each AEC division, which will include show coolers, ribbons and additional $100 in prize money.

Canter Culture will provide a total of $6,500 in prizes, with AEC champions receiving gift certificates for a pair of breeches, $60 certificates for reserve champions, $30 certificates for third place finishers, and $20 certificates for fourth and fifth place finishers. Finally, Rood & Riddle will provide on grounds veterinary support for the AEC throughout the event.

Adams Horse Supply has joined as the Title Sponsor of the USEA Adult Team Championships and will provide several incentives to enhance the Adult Riders’ experience this year. In addition to providing gift certificates for the top three teams in all ATC divisions, Adams Horse Supply will sponsor the Team Spirit Adult Rider Party on the evening of Thursday, August 29, and hosting a scavenger hunt to encourage bonding and camaraderie between program members.

The ever popular Bronze Level of sponsorship at the AEC includes several new and returning partners, such as 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 Racehorse Project, Ride Equisafe and Santa Cruz Animal Health.

70 Degrees has generously donated gift certificates for all first through fifth place winners in the 26 AEC divisions, totaling more than $11,000 in value. The Chronicle of the Horse serves as a Bronze Sponsor of both the AEC and the ATC and will provide one-year magazine subscriptions to the Champions in both. D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis will provide certificates for custom leather belts for the champions in all 26 AEC divisions.

Dubarry of Ireland is gifting two pairs of Dubarry Boots to be distributed in the Intermediate division. Santa Cruz Animal Health will provide $25 gift certificates for the team members on each of the top three ATC teams across all levels, as well as 350 bottles of UltraCruz Fly & Tick spray and coupons for the AEC Volunteers. Equestrian Team Apparel, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, and Ride EquiSafe will provide gift certificates for all AEC divisions. Athletux will be providing the Official Live Stream Commentary for the Upper Levels at the AEC, and Grayson-Jockey Club will support prize funds and the Red, White & Blue Welcome Party at the KHP Big Barn on Wednesday, August 28.

Contributing Sponsor Cross Country App, which hosts the cross-country maps for all AEC divisions, will be providing gift certificates for AEC prize winners. L.V. Harkness will provide custom trophies for the special award winners, including the Adequan USEA $60,000 Advanced Final Champion, the USEA AEC Captain Mark Phillips Pony Rider Awards, and the USEA AEC Adult Pony Rider Awards in Memory of Avery Dudasch. #WeRideTogether will also be supporting the AEC volunteers by providing 350 co-branded WRT AEC hats, boot socks, hoof picks, and chapstick, as well as gift certificates for the AEC and ATC champions. Georgetown – Scott County, KY Tourism and Lexmark are also Contributing Sponsors of the 2024 AEC.

Finally, the following Prize Sponsors will be providing gift certificates for the AEC divisions: BEMER, Boyd Martin, Ecogold, EquiFit, Equilab, FarmVet, 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, Rachel Dory Fine Art, Redmond Minerals, Ride iQ, Secretariat Center, Shapley’s, Sidelines Magazine, and VTO Saddlery. Achieve Equine LLC will provide FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips for third through fifth place finishers in all AEC divisions and the top three teams in all ATC divisions. Finally, Strides For Equality Equestrians will promote allyship through their partnership with the event.

Stay tuned to the USEA website for more event updates and details, and don’t forget to respond “going” on the 2024 AEC Facebook event page. For general questions about the AEC, please contact Kate Lokey.

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, 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, Boyd Martin Eventing, 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 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 28-30, 2024. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2024, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

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.