United States Eventing Association

The sun has set on another amazing edition of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds, and the USEA is already gearing up for the 2026 edition in Lexington, Kentucky, on Aug. 26-30. If you’re considering working towards qualifying for next year’s event at the legendary Kentucky Horse Park, here is all you need to know for the competition season ahead.

The qualifying period for the 2026 USEA AEC began on May 20, 2025 and will continue through Aug. 11, 2026. All riders at ALL levels must be a current USEA member (Junior, Collegiate, Full, or Life) at the time the qualifications are earned. For the horses, a Limited Status registration is the minimum requirement for Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training, and Full Status registration is required for all competing at Modified or higher at the time qualifications are earned.

Both horse and rider must obtain qualifying results from a total of three USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period and meet the requirements of a Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER) in all three completions. However, these results do not necessarily need to be achieved as a horse/rider combination.

Finally, the placing requirement, when applicable, must be achieved by the rider and the horse at the level intended for the AEC, although not necessarily as a combination. Placing requirements earned through the USEA Amateur Upgrade Policy apply only toward the amateur divisions and the open modified division.

A basic overview of the qualification requirements per level for the 2026 AEC are as follows. Please click here for a full listing of additional qualifications by division (i.e. Amateur, Rider, Junior, and/or Horse).

REQUIREMENTS BY LEVEL

• Starter
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Starter Horse Trials.
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Amateur, Rider, and Junior divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Beginner Novice
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Beginner Novice Horse Trials (or) Beginner Novice Three-Day competition.
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Amateur, Rider, Junior, and Horse divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Novice
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Novice Horse Trials (or) Novice Three-Day competition.
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Amateur, Rider, Junior, and Horse divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Training
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Training Horse Trials (or) Training Three-Day competition
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Amateur, Rider, Junior, and Horse divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Modified
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Modified Horse Trials (or) Modified Three-Day Event (or) CCI1*S/L
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Open, Amateur, and Rider divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Preliminary
  • Qualifying Result: First or second in any USEA recognized Preliminary Horse Trials (or) Preliminary Three-Day Event (or) CCI2*S/L
  • Horse and rider must obtain an MER at three (3) USEA recognized horse trials during the qualifying period, and the placing requirement is included in the total of three MERs. If not otherwise stated, once the placing QR has been met, the MERs may be at any higher level.
  • o Offered in Open, Amateur, and Rider divisions. Further restrictions apply by division.
• Intermediate Championship
  • Qualifying Results: A minimum of two MERs, in any combination, of the following:
    • USEA/USEF recognized Intermediate Horse Trials (including Area Championships)
    • CCI3*-S
    • CCI3*-L
  • One of the two may be at the Advanced level.
• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final at the AEC
  • Qualifying Results: A minimum of two MERs, in any combination, of the following:
    • USEA/USEF recognized Advanced Horse Trials (including Area Championships)
    • CCI4*-S
    • CCI4*-L
    • CCI5*-L
    • Olympic Games

In addition, the AEC also serves as the host of the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC). The ATC will be offered at the Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified levels for competitors in the Amateur and Rider divisions only in 2026.

To be eligible for the ATC, riders must be 22 years of age or older and a member of their Area Adult Rider program by Aug. 1, 2026. Letters of Intent will be required for consideration to be on an ATC team, which will be available for submission in early 2026. For more information on the ATC and to view additional requirements by Area, click here.

Don’t forget, both horse AND rider must be qualified for the AEC to compete, and they both must still be eligible for the level of competition at which they qualified. To confirm qualification, visit the AEC Qualified Riders and AEC Qualified Horses lists throughout the year. If you have any further questions, please check the AEC Qualification page or contact Hannah Seagle, Director of Competitions, at [email protected].

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 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be return to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on August 25-30. 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; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; and more!

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 27—Sept. 1, 2024. 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 2024, 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 SmartEquine for sponsoring the Adult Team