It is a busy day at the Kentucky Horse Park so be sure to put on your walking shoes and get ready for all that lies ahead! This morning we welcome our last six divisions of competitors, the Beginner Novice divisions, to the grandstand of the #AEC2023 as they put their practice to the test in the dressage arenas. In addition, competitors in the six Novice divisions get to give Jay Hambly’s cross-country course all they have! Lastly, four new Training champions will be crowned today, followed by the evening’s feature event: the grand finale of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final at 6:30 p.m.
The Training competitors heading into show jumping today are undoubtedly going to lay down some strong competition in their final phase.
In the $60,000 USEA Adeqaun Advanced Final, Liz Halliday will be looking to hold onto her lead that she carried from dressage into cross-country with Miks Master C. She has one rail in hand over Phillip Dutton and Z, but if she has a rail and even just a second of time in show jumping, she will be edged out of the top spot.
Today's schedule is as follows:
Dressage
Cross-Country
Show Jumping
Beginner Novice competitors have the chance to course walk with five-star event rider Alexandra Knowles this afternoon. To join in, simply meet up with the group at the start box at 4:00 p.m.
If you are wanting to improve on your horsemanship skills, considering joining Natalia Knowles at the USEA Trade Fair Booth at 12:30 today for an educational session, presented by the USEA Grooms Program, covering "All Things Legs!"
There is no better way to cheer on your favorite combinations in the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final than by joining our Fiesta Friday Competitor Party at 6:30 p.m. One ticket per horse is allotted and additional tickets can be purchased here.
As always, take a second out of your day today to thank a volunteer whose path you cross!
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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 Beginner Novice 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 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held Aug. 29—Sept. 3 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; Gold Level Sponsors: Capital Square, Horse & Country, Parker Equine Insurance, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Ecogold, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70 Degrees, Athletux, Black Petticoat, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse and Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Horseware Ireland, Majyk Equipe, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe; Contributing Level Sponsor: CrossCountry App, Georgetown – Scott County Tourism, Lexmark, L.V. Harkness, Mountain Horse, Mrs. Pastures Cookies, #WeRideTogether; Prize Level Sponsors: Coach Daniel Stewart, EquiFit, Equilab, Equiluxe Tack, Equine Essentials, Equine Pulse Performance, FarmVet, Achieve Equine/FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Horses 4 Your Consideration, Hound & Hare, I Love My Horse Eventing Boutique, Jack’s Favorites, Jane Heart Jewelry, Kinetic Equine Services, LeMieux, Levade Kentucky, Mare Modern Goods, OneTouch Fly Spray, Parkmore Supplements, Practical Horseman, Sidelines Magazine, Spy Coast Farm, Strides for Equality Equestrians, and VTO Saddlery.
As Tropical Storm Ophelia brought soaking rains to the region today, the Plantation Field International continued its four days of competition with CCI3*-S and CCI4*-S show jumping and cross-country for CCI1*-S, CCII2*-S, and CCI3*-S divisions.
The USEA Area IX Championships took place during two different horse trials this summer, with the Modified Championships as part of the The Event at Archer (Cheyenne, Wymoming) in August and the Preliminary, Training, Novice, and Beginner Novice Championships taking place during The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, Utah) in September. In addition, Area IX offered additional championship tests at the Starter and Tadpole levels at Skyline.
The CCI4*-S division at the 2023 Plantation Field International Horse Trials kicked off today with 39 horses headed down centerline. Local rider Boyd Martin of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, topped the leaderboard riding Luke 140, owned by the Luke 140 Syndicate, and is also tied for third (28.8) with the Annie Goodwin Syndicate’s Fedarman B. Martin is also placed 23rd with Contessa, owned by the Turner family.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is humbled to announce the return of long-time partner The Dutta Corporation as the “Title Sponsor of the 2023 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships,” which include the East Coast Championships at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, Maryland, on Oct. 19-20 and the West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, on Oct. 27-28.