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.
Thanks to their substantial support, the USEA was able to offer AEC competitors more than $110,000 in prize money and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of prizes and in-kind contributions. Regardless of whether an AEC competitor finished fifth or won their division, they received a variety of prizes donated by the generous sponsors.
The USEA would like to especially thank AEC Presenting Sponsor, Nutrena Feeds, as they have been a long-time supporter of the AEC at both the Presenting and Title levels in the past, and the USEA cherishes this partnership for all USEA members. Nutrena is “The Official Feed of the USEA,” and not only did they help fund the prize purses, but they sent prize winners home with bags of Nutrena feed.
The USEA would also like to thank Adequan, who has been a long-time partner serving as “The Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA” and the Title Sponsor of the Adequan USEA Advanced Final at the AEC, which offers a whopping $60,000 prize purse. The Champion walked away with $30,000, which makes this class one of the most highly sought-after championships in North America.
Bates Saddles, “The Official Saddle of the USEA” continued their support as a Platinum level sponsor of the AEC, providing around $20,000 worth of prizes to the top five in all AEC divisions. Bates was also the title sponsor of the Preliminary divisions at the AEC.
Horse & Country stepped up to a Platinum level sponsorship this year and provided the live stream coverage of all levels, free for everyone to view during the AEC. H&C provided prizes to AEC Champions, sponsored the new Starter level divisions, and offer 15% off subscriptions to all USEA members year-round.
ARMA joined the USEA family of sponsors this year, as “The Official Horse Boot of the USEA” under their Shires Equestrian Products company. ARMA also sponsored the Training level divisions at the AEC and provided certificates for pairs of ARMA boots to division winners.
PulseVet was another new partner for the AEC, joining as a Gold level sponsor, as well as signing on as “The Official Shockwave of the USEA.” They provided funds for all AEC prize money purses. Schneiders Saddlery was the final new addition to the corporate sponsor family, joining as “The Official Horse Wear of the USEA” in 2024 and a Gold level sponsor of the AEC. All the champion show coolers for AEC divisions and champion scrims for the ATC were provided by Schneiders Saddlery.
The USEA would like to thank the following Corporate sponsors, who also supported the AEC as Gold Level Sponsors: Parker Equine Insurance, who serves as “The Official Equine Insurance of the USEA,” SmartPak, who serves as “The Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA,” and Standlee, who serves as “The Official Forage of the USEA.” All of these corporate partners provided either significant prize purse funds, prizes, or both.
Adams Horse Supply joined as the Title Sponsor of the Adult Team Championships this year, providing wonderful gifts and prize money to the top three teams in the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships. They’ve also sponsored the ATC scavenger hunt at the AEC, which will be awarded to a winning team soon!
Special thanks also go to the Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club, Rood & Riddle;
Bronze Level Sponsors: 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, Redmond Minerals, Secretariat Center, Shapley’s, Sidelines Magazine, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.
The USEA would like to urge all competitors to reach out to thank the sponsors who supported the AEC. Prize winners should also work to redeem their certificates and vouchers at their earliest convenience if they did not redeem them on-site, as most of them have approaching expiration dates.
For more information about the AEC, please click here and save the date for the AEC as it moves to the West Coast next year. The 2025 AEC will take place Tuesday, Aug. 26—Sunday, Aug. 31, at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, before returning to the Kentucky Horse Park for a three-year term in 2026-2028.
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 were 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.
With the USEA American Eventing Championship presented by Nutrena Feeds gaining in popularity and prestige every year, it came as no surprise to Event Secretary, Cavan Allen, and Head of Scheduling, Debbie Hinkle, that attempting to accommodate over 1,000 entries for this year’s event would take a herculean effort.
At Close Range, known as "Ninja," is a 2020 Thoroughbred gelding by Saketini, bred and owned by me, Audrea Dyer. He is out of the G3-placed mare Bodacious Barb, a successful runner by Agnes Gold (JPN).
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.
Following review of the Myler Combination bit, the USEF Eventing Sport Committee, at the recommendation of the Administrative Working Group and Eventing Athletes Working Group, approved a national exemption for the Myler Combination bit.