Searching for a new restaurant to try, catching up on the news, or watching funny cat videos? The internet’s where it’s at. But buying a horse, sight unseen, from the web? “I don’t recommend it,” said Jesse Kirchhoff, 43, with a chuckle, remembering how she came to own Wings of a Dove (HB II x Vorbuch 2), a 22-year-old Zweibrücker mare.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting that. He is quite the athlete!” Such comments are fairly common for Jennifer Skinner to hear about her American Quarter Horse stallion Bullys Legacy (“Diggy”). Eleven years ago Skinner, a professional barrel racing and young horse trainer in Bryan, Texas, welcomed the bay colt into the world—he’d been the culmination of dream bloodlines, bred for a career in her industry.
As I walk down the ramp into the Rolex Arena to compete in the 2024 $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds, I ask myself, “What am I doing here?” I look around in the warmup area, and everyone is a big-name rider—several are past Olympians—and here I am, a rider no one has heard of.
Drumroll please… After much consideration, the United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and our partners at Adams Horse Supply are proud to announce the winner of the ATC Scavenger Hunt hosted during the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds.
When 15-year-old Sophia Lieberman first laid eyes on her dapple gray mustang Bear Necessities three years ago in Alabama, she had no idea what the future might hold for them. Lieberman and her mother, Dr. Alison LaCarrubba, DVM, were on the hunt for a new project pony, and the 14-hand gelding seemed like he might be a good fit.
Thoroughbreds were celebrated during the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds as the two top-placed Thoroughbreds in each division were recognized as the Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP) Champions and Reserve Champions. This year 24 horses were presented with the TIP Champion Awards across 26 divisions.
The 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds has been a resounding success, solidifying its place as one of the largest eventing competitions in North American history. With over 1,000 entries and competition running from Tuesday to Sunday, several days lasting beyond 9:00 p.m., the week's accomplishments were made possible thanks to the generous support of the USEA AEC sponsors.
The inaugural Horse & Country USEA Starter championships wrapped up under a beautiful Kentucky sunset at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Meet our winners below!
Six Beginner Novice divisions got their chance to shine in the Rolex Arena today for their show jumping at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Meet our new champions below!
What a week it has been, and what better way to draw it to a close than by crowning our final champions of 2024 AND our first-ever Horse and Country USEA Open Starter and Horse and Country USEA Starter Champions! We can't wait to see who rises to the top of all of the six Beginner Novice and two Starter Championships.
Six Novice divisions crowned their champions in the Rolex Arena on Saturday at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. Read on to learn more about them!