United States Eventing Association

The first time I planned on competing at the AEC was in 2018. I had just completed a Novice Three-Day at Rebecca Farm (Kalispell, Montana) on my 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood Shannondale Fionn, or “Dale.” We won that event, and I was full of confidence and ready to travel to the Colorado Horse Park since that was a very drivable two days. At the time I was 63 years old and had my 6-year-old Chihuahua, Siri, in tow.

Unfortunately, shortly before we were to leave, a splint we thought was cold became active. Though he wasn’t lame, I didn’t want to risk it getting worse, so I shockwaved Dale and rested him, and we didn’t compete again until the following year at Rebecca Farm, again at Novice.

In 2020 and 2021, with the help of my super coach Andrea Pfeiffer, I was able to reach my goal of completing some fun and successful runs at Training level including a Training Three-Day at Rebecca Farm in the summer of 2021.

This was no small task that I assigned her, since I didn’t pick this sport up until my mid 50’s, but Andrea instills confidence by giving you the tools to do the job. Though Dale (Shannondale Sarco x Shannondale Sasha) and I were qualified to compete at the AEC at Rebecca Farm in 2022 in Novice or Training, at 66 I felt more confident at Novice. Once again, I was excited and ready to make the journey and enjoy the atmosphere and camaraderie of the AEC.

But fate intervened (again) and around 10 days out from the show I broke my hand. Thankfully our amazing trainer/rider at Chocolate Horse Farm, Tommy Greengard, had qualified Dale at Training so we made the switch.

Tommy rode Dale in the Training Horse division and won! That was the year some might remember as 3x Tommy because he rode three horses in the Championships and came in first on all three. Definitely an incredible experience even though I wasn’t riding.

This year, at age 70, with a 13-year-old Chihuahua and a 14-year-old horse, I am determined to not just go but ride because the AEC is in California, my home state. If you are qualified, you really have to go. I’m not going to say it’s now or never, but I really hope it’s now because we are all three (especially me), not getting any younger!

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, SmartPak, Standlee; and more!