United States Eventing Association

One Month to AEC: Two Weeks Left to Enter, Here's What You Need to Know

The 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena are now just a month away. The event will run August 30-September 3 and offer Championship divisions for Beginner Novice through Advanced levels. With record starter numbers marking the 2016 AEC the largest event in United States history, the 2017 edition is set to break records again. As the host site of the 2018 World Equestrian Games, Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is making sure that the 2017 AEC is the best that it has ever been, with perfectly maintained cross-country courses, excellent footing in the arenas, and plenty of entertainment throughout the week.

The closing date for AEC entries is August 15, so be sure to get your qualifications completed and sign up for the chance to compete at the 2018 World Equestrian Games venue. To view the Omnibus listing for the AEC, go here. Horses and riders must be registered USEA members (including BN) at the time of gaining qualifications, as well as during the USEA AEC competition. Horses and riders, not necessarily as a combination, must be qualified for the level in accordance with Appendix 3 of the USEF Rules for Eventing and achieve the Qualifying Result(s) at the level to be entered. The qualification period for Beginner Novice through Intermediate is May 30, 2016 to August 21, 2017.

Get your entries in for the chance to compete at the site of the 2018 WEG! USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

Rider Versus Amateur Qualification

For riders seeking clarity on whether to enter the Rider or Amateur division, see below for an explanation, and check here for any other questions regarding qualifications for all AEC divisions.

Amateur Division:

The following may participate in eventing competitions as an amateur:

a. Any competitor in possession of a valid Amateur card issued by the USEF; or
b. Any Senior USEA member who competes at the Training, Novice, or Beginner Novice level who meets the requirements of Federation GR1306.

Individuals declaring such status must present, upon demand, an audited financial statement in support of the claim of eligibility; failure to do so will be deemed a violation. Misrepresentation of eligibility under this provision will subject an individual to disciplinary action under GR1307.6, GR1307.8, GR1308.3 and Chapter 6. Amateur certification under this provision is valid for Eventing competitions only and does not confer Amateur status for participation in any other Breed or Discipline.

Rider Division:

Open to competitors who have not completed an event above the next highest level in the five years preceding the date of the competition, e.g. a Novice Rider may have completed an event at Training level, but not Modified, Preliminary, or higher in the five years preceding the date of the competition; a Training Rider may have completed an event at Modified or Preliminary level, but not Intermediate level or higher in the 5 years preceding the date of the competition.

AEC Welcome Reception and Parties

Friday night's competitor party will feature Gladiator Polo! Photo courtesy of TIEC.

The 2017 AEC is set to have receptions and parties each night, from Wednesday through Saturday. On Wednesday, stop at the Welcome Reception at the Legends Club Porch. Each rider entered at the AEC receives a ticket for each entry, but anyone can buy a ticket for the reception. The Competitors' Party will be on Friday and will feature Gladiator Polo in the main arena. Each competitor is given two tickets, but the party is open for the public to buy tickets and attend. Saturday's entertainment features Saturday Night Lights, the AEC Advanced Show Jumping, which will also be the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final in the George H. Morris Arena, overlooked by the Legends Club. Click on the links above for tickets to those events, or click here to visit the page that has each event and the links to get tickets for the event, as there are more parties and events to attend!

Vendor Location

This year, all vendors will be in one central location to make it easier for spectators to shop and watch the competition. The vendors will be located on “vendor row”, where all vendors will be sprinkled between the George H. Morris Arena and the warm-up and dressage arenas. Some vendors will be located inside the cabins while others will be located outside in tents.

Just one of the many vendors at the AEC. USEA Photo.

Cross-Country Updates

The cross-country phase for the Advanced division will be held on Friday, September 1 on the new track on the White Oak Golf Course property, across the bridge from last year’s AEC course. This is the same location where the Advanced and CIC3* at the Fork was held and where the WEG cross-country course will be built. This will be a different course design than at the Fork, and other enhancements are being made and built on course.

The Advanced division at the AEC will run on White Oak Golf Course property. USEA/Leslie Mintz Photo.

All other divisions (Beginner Novice through Intermediate) will run cross-country in the areas used for the 2016 AEC. As each division ends the temporary jumps from those divisions will be removed from the course. By removing the Advanced course from this section and by removing these jumps each day the cross-country will feel more open, inviting and create an overall better cross-country experience.

Click here to see what you need to know to plan your AEC vacation, and make sure that you have a front row seat to all of the AEC action by signing up as a volunteer here.

Learn about the exciting enhancements at the AEC in the 100 days to AEC article, and check out the amazing prizes lined up for the winners in the 90 days to AEC article.

The USEA would like to thank AEC Presenting Sponsor, Nutrena, Gold Cup Advanced division sponsor Adequan, Intermediate division sponsor Boehringer Ingelheim, Training division sponsor Professional’s Choice, Beginner Novice division sponsor Broadstone, Platinum level sponsor Devoucoux, and all of the AEC Sponsors.