United States Eventing Association

Six Novice Divisions Take Center Stage in the Dressage Rings at #AEC2024

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 29—Six large Novice divisions danced in the dressage rings today to kick off their week at the USEA American Eventing Championhips (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Read more below!

USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under Championship

Carla Lindsay and her own Take Note, a 13-year-old Paint mare of unrecorded breeding, have taken early control of the Novice Junior 15 & Under division on Thursday morning, posting a score of 26.9.

Lindsay has ridden Take Note for about two and a half years. “She is the cutest thing ever. She's very sweet. She's very cuddly. She loves hay and her apples. She's a great horse,” she said.

They both competed here last year but two rails in the final phase were their downfall. They’ve been working hard since then with trainers Karen Fulton and her daughter Savannah Fulton who are here helping her this weekend. Lindsay considers cross-country their strongest phase and says their leading dressage score this afternoon was a pleasant surprise.

“It was definitely very exciting to see! I have no idea what made the difference, but I'll take it! It felt like a great test. She was focused. I was focused. It was good,” she said.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s cross-country she thinks “it's big, there's a lot of questions, but, I mean, it's the AEC, so that's kind of what I expected. But I'm excited for it too, just nervous, of course, but I'm very excited for cross country.”

Savannah jumped clear around the Advanced cross-country earlier today on Cash Point, and Lindsay reports her advice for tomorrow is to “Let ‘Memo’ do all the work and don't mess it up!”

Madison Zgutowicz and Sidnee Milner’s 20-year-old Welsh mare My Valentine are hot on their heels at this stage, finishing their first day of competition on a 27.1 for second place.

Kendall Fansler rode Hedgerow Farm’s Delilah’s Boy, a 14-year-old Connemara gelding, into third place on 28.3.

USEA Novice Junior Championship

Kelsie Goodare and her own Carli 13 (Crunch x Herri), an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, are our first phase leaders in the Novice Junior division after dancing their way to a score of 26.5.

That will give her a little bit of time to play with on the cross-country ahead of their nearest rivals, Madeline Riley and Emma Petrick who are tied for second place on 29.2 heading into Friday’s phase.

Goodare and “Carl” are on something of a mission—they competed in the Junior Beginner Novice division here last year and won, and since then she says she has matured as a rider and has a slightly different, very professional outlook. “I think I'm pretty comfortable here. It's a great place, and I'm not as nervous as I was last year to perform well in front of the big names and everything. I mean, last year going out and hacking around in the mornings I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm riding next to Boyd Martin, that's just crazy!’ But now I'm more like, ‘OK, we're all here to do something and to try our best. We just have to have fun and enjoy it. So, I try. The nerves still get to me sometimes, but I've been better about just being like, ‘Whatever happens, happens. And I just want to have fun with it.”

Goodare has had the ride on Carl for two years; she originally went to try a different horse but on her mother (knows best) advice, sat on Carl and the rest, as they say, is history! “We saw Carl, and I sat on him, and immediately, within the first couple loops, I was like, ‘Yep, this is the one!’” she said.

Goodare can’t put her finger on why exactly they clicked so well but she thinks his personality was definitely a big factor. “He was just so chill and ready to do his job,” she remembers. “He's just been fantastic. He's taught me so much already, and he's a huge goof and just like, the funniest one out there; he'll just like, fly around, and then stop and just look and see if anybody else wants to play with him. But other than that he's just crazy!”

Goodare lives in the Grand Rapids area of Michigan and is skipping school to compete here this week, “Actually Monday was my first day of my senior year,” she admits. “So, I talked to all my teachers and told them I’d be leaving on Tuesday for the rest of the week! I'd rather be here than there so it's good.”

Riley is riding Alexandra Tatham’s 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Bobbie Burns (Balanchine x Harriet), and Petrick is partnered with her own Hawthornstud Futures Bright (Future Trend x KEC Capetown) an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse.

USEA Novice Horse Championship

Thirty-nine combinations trotted down the center line Thursday for the first phase of the USEA Novice Horse Championship, and at the end of the proceedings it’s Megan Edwards out in front on Darci Burton’s 7-year-old warmblood Legende De Mies (Lux Z xFemme Fatale), posting an impressive 21.8.

Local rider Edwards is based in Georgetown, Kentucky, but she and Burton’s mare already have international experience. Sourced by Christopher Hunt, Edwards tried her and fell in love with her in Ireland, and then when the opportunity arose for her to spend a few weeks show-jumping her in Spain she jumped at the chance. “So, she's been my show jumper! I've been a little out on event horses here recently, so I asked Darcy, ‘Can I can I event her? I think she likes cross-country enough; I think she's crazy enough!’ She agreed so here I am this year, trying to event her!”

Leading this large division stacked with both quality horses and riders is quite the college try, especially if you consider that Long says she can virtually count on one hand the amount of times her mare has been in a dressage arena in a competitive environment and that during a couple of her rounds in Spain she was unable to turn to the left.

Edwards and Burton haven’t decided what the future holds yet for their horse but Edwards knows she’s pretty special.

“I get compliments of, like, you're a good match with her, and that feels really good,” she said. “In the warm up she was being just a little bit silly because that's her, and that's almost good because it gives her a little pep. Then she went down into the arena, and I felt her just like, float into my reins and carry me. And she really gives you this feeling that when she gets there I get to look pretty, and she makes me feel pretty, as if I'm just presenting the test. There isn't much thought, like I need to overthink this or that. She's on the bit, she's forward, she's holding herself up, and my hands feel like they're on a table, and I get to sit pretty.”

Edwards doesn’t have enormous expectations for the cross-country, “I feel like it's fair enough if she has a question on cross-country; she can be greener at the water but for the most part, if she understands it she wants to do it, she's very much a girl that way. If it's something new, and she feels like she hasn't seen it before she may be like, ‘Hey Mom!’ But she's genuine that way if she has a question, it's never dirty.”

Marcia Kulak piloted Michelle Kulak’s 9 year old Oldenburg Pantheon (Pandorra x Anastazia) into second place a couple of penalties behind on 23.8, and Erin Murphy sits in the third spot on Rae Stone’s Haslemere Jacamo (Quidam Junior x Haslemere Sabina) on 25.1.

USEA Novice Rider Championship

Kerri Long and her own Blue Suede Shoes (Flying W Farms Falcon x Flying W Farms Lady In Blue) have eeked out a slender lead in the Novice Rider Championship after the first day is done, completing their dressage with a score of 25.7.

Long first acquired the ride on the 10-year-old “Memphis” about five years ago when he was sent to her as a “problem horse,” and later once their partnership began to blossom his owners persuaded her to buy him.

“I started him myself, and he was fine, and he's been kind of a fun, fun horse. His owners ended up convincing me to buy him; they gave me a good deal, and they let me make payments, so I ended up with a gray gelding, which is not at all what I wanted but he's kind of a testament to the overlooked horse that people will discount, horses that people sometimes look over them when there's a good horse in there.”

Based in Maryland, Long arrived Wednesday evening and shared that this is Memphis’ first time at an overnight show and definitely his longest trip in the trailer but reports that he’s coping very well, and to lead the division today was a pleasant surprise.

This is Long’s first time at the AEC and her first time ever at the Kentucky Horse Park, either as a spectator or a competitor. “It's incredible,” she exclaimed. “I am blown away by the facilities and all the staff and volunteers. Everyone's been wonderful, and the footing is beautiful.”

Lurking in second place on 26.1 is Darci Burton on her own VS Corelli Surprise (FS Correlli Bravo x Coevers Surprise), an 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding on 26.1. Rebecca Speer rounds out the top 3 on her own Roman Express (Roman Ruler x Grey Chatelaine) a 13-year-old Thoroughbred mare who scored 26.8.

USEA Novice Master Amateur Championship

Jane Musselman is no stranger to the AEC leaderboard. Tonight she sits atop the Novice Master Amateur Championship with her own Corleone Tops (Tinka”s Boy x Unatame De Hus) a 12-year-old Selle Francais, on a first phase score of 25.7.

Ashley Allison rode her own 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood Sophie’s Story ( Calido I x Utivia M) into second place on 27.6, and Nancy Read is sitting in third spot on her own Classic Chrome PCH, (Con Capilot x Southern Belle) a 9-year-old Oldenburg gelding.

USEA Novice Amateur Championship

Ryan Ballou and his own 8-year-old Danish Warmblood Astaire ( Volstrups Cash x Egeskovs Habibi) danced to the Novice Amateur lead Thursday with a dressage score of 23.8.

Winning at the AEC is not a novel feeling for Ballou, he and Astaire won the Beginner Novice Amateur Championship last year, but this year he says he has a better understanding of what to expect.

“As a rider coming into this, it was amazing today because I felt so calm, I felt so relaxed, I had a very clear-cut plan. I knew exactly how Fred was going to behave, and I knew kind of how I was going to behave having been here last year. So, we had our pre ride this morning, and it was just so relaxing. I got done with that, and I knew the mission at hand, and it was just setting sail from there.”

Ballou trains with Julie Richards in Georgia, and when he’s home in Ohio he takes dressage lessons with Laura McGuiness, both of whom are part of a large support crew here this weekend. “I'm always happy with [Astaire]; it doesn't matter what score we get, just being able to go out and ride I'm thrilled. But getting out and seeing the fantastic team of people who have helped me this entire way, and just seeing how happy and excited they were because it's emotional for them also; they've spent a lot of time with me to help get me here. Seeing how excited they were, I knew that no matter what, how, no matter how we scored, it was a good day to be a part of our team.”

Anastasia Keyser and her own Hero’s Quest are in the second spot overnight on a penalty score of 25.1. Erica Addison is handily placed right behind the leaders in third on a 26.0 on her own Full Battle Rattle.

Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

Team Kick On is leading the Novice ATC on a score of 86.5. The team includes Erica Addison, Alexis Shrum, Hannah O'Brien, and Carla Jimmerson.

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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.

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 Beginner Novice through Preliminary 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 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kerrits, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.