Oct 12, 2023

Request for Expression of Interest: AEC 2025-2028

By Kate Lokey - USEA Staff
USEA/Meagan DeLisle photo

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the annual national championship for every level of the Olympic equestrian sport of eventing. The USEA is excited to announce a request for expressions of interest to host the AEC in the years 2025 through 2028, with preference being given to a western region venue in 2025. The USEA is ideally seeking two expressions of interest: one in the western United States region for 2025, and one in the eastern United States region for 2026-2028. The USEA will also entertain one bid for all four years, or a joint bid from two venues.

Host site(s) should; be attractive and presentable venues, have consistently good footing, have the ability to promote to and accommodate large numbers of spectators, and have a demonstrated record of a media plan with demonstrated ability to successfully work with local media.

The AEC has historically been conducted over five or six days and must be held at the end of the summer season, ideally across Labor Day weekend. The AEC has historically garnered large entry numbers, with the 2021 AEC currently standing as the largest eventing competition in North American history with over 1,000 entries and around 950 starters. The AEC includes seven levels of eventing competition from Beginner Novice to Advanced. Moving forward, the AEC Committee will be evaluating adding the Starter Level, to run eight levels total, and bidding venues are encouraged to add that into their plan. The USEA licenses the rights to run the AEC to a host site/organizer with a licensing fee, while retaining certain rights of control over the event.

Only organizers with an established relationship with a facility and proof of support for the expression of interest from the host site owners/operators, or the owner(s) and/or operator(s) of a prospective host site may nominate said venue for consideration. Expressions of interest should be submitted in the form of a letter and should consist of no more than 800 words.

All expressions of interest for an AEC host site located in the United States should also include the following:

  1. Address of proposed site(s), in the United States;
  2. Year(s) of the intended bid;
  3. Indication of whether running the AEC at the site on the week preceding the Labor Day holiday is feasible (or) proposed alternative dates;
  4. A list of site features relevant to eventing competitions including but not limited to;
    1. The permanent and/or temporary stall capacity;
    2. The number of arenas (including dimensions and footing type);
    3. Existing infrastructure and acreage available for cross-country;
    4. Basic utilities (water, electric, cable/internet)
    5. Parking plan for competitors and spectators, and transportation plan if needed;
    6. RV and camping availability;
    7. Any other features of note to highlight the facility, and;
    8. The ability to run dressage, cross-country, and show jumping simultaneously without negatively impacting any of the phases;
  5. Contact information for the person or entity submitting the expression of interest;
  6. Proposed business/management model(s), and;

All expressions of interest should be submitted by end of day Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

The AEC has previously been hosted at the following locations:

2004 – 2006: Raeford, N.C. (Carolina Horse Park)
2007 – 2009: Wayne, Ill. (Lamplight Equestrian Center)
2010 – 2012: Fairburn, Ga. (Chattahoochee Hills – Bouckaert Farm)
2013 – 2015: Tyler, Texas (Texas Rose Horse Park)
2016 – 2017: Mill Spring, N.C. (Tryon International Equestrian Center)
2018: Parker, Colo. (Colorado Horse Park)
2019 – 2021: Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Horse Park)
2022: Kalispell, Mont. (Rebecca Farm)
2023 – 2024: Lexington, Ky. (Kentucky Horse Park)

Please direct inquiries and expressions of interest to the following contact:

Kate Lokey, Director of Programs and Marketing
Phone: (703) 779-0440
Fax: (703) 779-0550
[email protected]

Dec 07, 2023 Convention

USEA Board of Governors Meet for the First Time During 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

This afternoon, USEA President Louise “Lou” Leslie welcomed U.S. Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors members, USEA staff, and USEA Annual Meeting & Convention attendees to the first of two Board meetings which will take place during this year’s Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, with the teaser that 2024 is going to be full of initiatives for more opportunities to access the eventing experience, some of which attendees might get first wind of during this year’s gathering. The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention takes place Dec. 7-10 at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel.

Dec 06, 2023 Convention

Fast Facts: 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention

Welcome to the Show Me state and to Area IV USEA members! The 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention kicks of tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all with one aim—to bring the eventing community together to continue to improve upon and celebrate the sport that we all love. This year’s Convention takes place in St. Louis, Missouri, at the Marriott St. Louis Grand in downtown St. Louis from Dec. 7-10, and we have rounded up everything you need to know to make the most of your time in the heartland.

Dec 05, 2023 Education

Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community

To accompany the 2023 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, USEA Educational Partner STRIDER has prepared Digital Resources to Maximize Education & Access for the Eventing Community. In keeping with the USEA’s mission to expand the sport of eventing, this webinar outlines ways in which digital tools can be leveraged to increase access and education across equestrian opportunities. As part of STRIDER’s popular Professional Development Webinar Series, this presentation aims to provide a quick overview of best practices and digital tools used across the equestrian industry to boost growth.

Dec 05, 2023 Young Event Horse

Young Event Horse Arden Augustus Exceeds All Expectations for Antenucci and White

Every horse who participated this year in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program has a story—a background that involves a breeder who labored over bloodlines, veterinary care, initial training, and so much more. This year’s highest-placing U.S.-bred horse in the 5-year-old division at the Dutta Corp./USEA Young Event Horse Championships, Arden Augustus, is no exception. His breeder and owner, Anita Antenucci of Arden Farms in Upperville, Virginia, started her program nine years ago and said that the Warmblood gelding was a more emotionally driven breeding for her than others due to his connections with Antenucci’s long-time friend Sharon White.

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