United States Eventing Association

Temecula, Calif.—Aug. 29—Tracks designed by Clayton Fredericks, Allessandra Allen-Shinn, and Rob Mobley challenged riders across divisions today on cross-country, offering questions that both welcomed competitors and tested their skills.

The USEA Open Intermediate Championship and the USEA Novice divisions took center stage, showcasing their talent and the thrill of the sport as horse-and-rider combinations navigated the cross-country courses at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.

USEA Novice Horse Championship

Temecula-based professional Chloe Smyth and Michelle Cameron Donaldson’s SR Myconos, an 8-year-old Warmblood stallion by Con Air, are tied at the top of the leaderboard with Kaufman, Texas-based Ellen Sebanc and her own Orion RSF, a 6-year-old Dutch gelding (Gaudi x O Baby). Both pairs earned identical dressage scores of 24.9, and they’ll head into tomorrow’s show jumping phase of the USEA Novice Horse Championship still neck and neck.

USEA Novice Amateur Championship

San Ramon, California’s Kate Helffrich is sitting at the top of the USEA Novice Amateur Championship leaderboard with her own 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare Coquette (Prince Caspian x Karisma). The pair will head into the final phase on their impressive dressage score of 23.6, looking to keep their lead and secure the title.

USEA Novice Rider Championship

Dawn Scott of Atascadero, California, and her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Shannondale Ghost (Shannondale Sarco x Riverlon Mist) are holding onto their lead in the USEA Novice Rider Championship, staying on their dressage score of 25.6 after a strong cross-country performance.

USEA Novice Junior Championship

Michaela Smith, of Redwood City, California, and Cashmaker, 12-year-old German Sport Horse owned by Laura Smith (Casino Royale K by Golden Princess) earned a 24.2 dressage score to lead their field, and hold onto that score after a solid cross-country round kept them on top.

USEA Open Intermediate Championship

The Intermediate riders were the trailblazers on cross-country bright and early this morning. James Alliston and HMR Rolan (Tolan R x Aldatus Diamond) moved up three places to take the lead in the 22-horse division, as the fastest round of the class and the only combination to finish double-clear. Fresh off their second-place finish in last month’s CCI3*-L at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana), the San Ramon, California-based Team USA rider and Anna Nicholas’s 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding will head into tomorrow’s final day on a dressage score of 29.5—and a rail in hand to hang onto their top position.

Helpful Links:

• USEA AEC Website
• Official AEC Digital Program
• AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Facility Map
• Equine Network Livestream/H&C Livestream
• AEC Digital Event Program
• Live Scores
• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Roster
• Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) Fast Facts
• USEA's Coverage

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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 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. 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, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; Silve Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsors: CrossCountry App, Santa Cruz Animal Health, #WeRideTogether; and Prize Level Sponsors: Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Horses 4 Your Consideration, LeMieux, Practical Horseman, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine, Werkman Hoofcare USA, and Whitfield Equine Nutrition.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. 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 2025, 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 Starter Level to Modified 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 USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.