United States Eventing Association

Pignatelli and Harris Lead the Inaugural Horse & Country USEA Starter Junior Championship Following Cross-Country at #AEC2024

Lexington, Ky. —Aug. 31—Sixty combinations cantered around the world-famous Kentucky Horse Park for their cross-country phase in the inaugural Horse & Country USEA Starter Championship this evening. From big-eyed youngsters to adorable ponies, the division had its share of heartwarming and cheer-worthy moments.

Horse & Country USEA Starter Junior Championship

Leading the Horse & Country USEA Starter Junior Championship is Priscilla Pignatelli riding Dittos Gold En Fury with a score of 22.0.

“It was amazing, I love cross-country so much,” Pignatelli said. “You just get to run out there, check your watch every now and then to control your speed, and get over those jumps. Even though it’s Starter and it is still small, it’s so, so much fun.”

Pignatelli has only been riding “Max,” owned by Emily Holmes, since December. The 15-year-old Welsh Cob has been teaching her all about eventing. “I used to be a hunter/jumper before that, but ever since we got Max, I truly found love for eventing, and he showed me the ropes of it. He’s very experienced in it, and he has made the whole process so much fun and such an adventure.”

“This sport is a sport where the competition isn’t glaring at each other,” Pignatelli continued. “We’re all friends, and while we are competitors, we support each other, hoping we all do our best for ourselves and for our horses. [It’s not about] what color ribbon you get.”

The Palomino gelding is eye-catching on the cross-country course and loved by Pignatelli for his big personality.

“He’s a goofball—a total gelding,” Pignatelli said of her new best friend. “I’m not

sure if he loves food or people more, but I’m going to hope he loves me more than his grain.”

Both the second and third place finishers also went double clear in the cross-country phase. Peyton Bizjak took second riding Rachael Schindler’s Melody of Excellence HOF (Standard of Excellence TOF x Maserata TOF) with a score of 28.8. Zoë Rizzuto took third with her own Fitz on a score of 30.5.

Horse & Country USEA Open Starter Championship

Maintaining her lead coming from dressage on Bonanza On Ice (Gunner On Ice x Majors Barbie Doll) Sophia Harris has made the 24-hr drive from Colorado well worth it as they head into the final phase on Sunday on their dressage sore of 22.8.

“I am absolutely amazed. This was only his fifth time out on a cross-country course, and he’s still gaining confidence. He’s a little hesitant coming up to the jumps, and today’s course was not our prettiest,” Harris explained. “We almost had a parting of ways over a jump where I lost my balance and reins, so I am thrilled we ended on a double-clear.”

“There’s a lot to look at in that big arena so we will see what he thinks about all that,” Harris spoke about Sunday’s show jumping phase. “I’m hoping to leave all the rails up—that is always my goal. Sometimes I have to ride a bit defensively with more leg on.”

The 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding has racked up multiple AQHA World Championship English and Western Dressage titles, and Harris is aiming to add an AEC title to his impressive resume this weekend in Kentucky.

“Dressage is his favorite, and I grew up eventing so when we started getting a bit bored, I figured he may enjoy eventing,” she explained. “We did a few schooling shows to keep it really light and build up confidence and he was doing so well. We looked at [AEC] qualifications, and now here we are. It’s incredible—to be here is a blessing in and of itself, and to be in the top standing is just icing on the cake.”

The top three placings from dressage stayed the same after double-clear cross-country performances. Beth Hathaway and her own 4-year-old Canadian Warmblood mare Iris are sitting in second with a score of 23.2, while Laura Kiff and Hunter, a 12-year-old Appaloosa Sport Horse gelding owned by Allison Hodge, are in third with a 23.8.

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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 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.