United States Eventing Association

The #AEC2023 Daily: Thursday

We get to welcome six divisions of Novice competitors to the mix of the #AEC2023 as they kick off their championship weekend with their dressage tests today. In addition, the first champions of 2023 will be crowned as Intermediate, Modified, and Preliminary riders conclude their competition week with show jumping in the Rolex Arena. Meanwhile, those competing in the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final and the Training divisions will be taking to the field today for almost every eventer’s favorite phase: cross-country.

There will be seven #AEC2023 champions crowned today: one for Intermediate, two in Modified, and four in Preliminary.

• In the USEA Open Modified Championship, just fractions of a point separate the first and second-placed riders leaving no room for error if they wish to maintain their lead.
• The same goes for the top three in the USEA Modified Rider Championships, so riders will be hoping to produce double-clear rounds in the Rolex Arena to hold onto their placing.
• All new leaders rose to the top of the field in each of the four Bates USEA Preliminary Championships after cross-country. As expected in a championship setting, the scores are tight.
• Will Coleman and Chin Tonic HS have held the lead in the USEA Intermediate Championship since dressage and after cross-country Coleman's closest competition is himself! He also sits in second place with Off the Record, but third place pair Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Double Sixteen are also extremely close score-wise, meaning the show jumping showdown could get really interesting tomorrow!

Cross-country for the Advanced Final will get underway at 8:45 a.m. Currently in the lead are Liz Halliday and Ocala Horse Properties and Deborah Palmer's 11-year-old U.S.-bred Swedish Warmblood (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF) Miks Master C. The pair have a four-point lead over Phillip Dutton and Z, the 15-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Asca Z x Bellabouche) owned by the Z Partnership. Read more about the first phase of the Advanced Final here.

Today's competition schedule is as follows:

Dressage

• Stonelea Ring 1
  • Novice Junior 15 and Under Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 10:48 a.m.
  • Novice Horse Championship | 10:54 a.m. - 5:06 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 2
  • Novice Amateur Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 3
  • Novice Master Amateur Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 3:12 p.m.

• Walnut Ring 4
  • Novice Junior Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 2:18 p.m.

• Walnut Ring 5
  • Novice Rider Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 3:18 p.m.

Cross-Country

• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final | 8:45 a.m. - 10:27 a.m.
  
• Training Amateur Championship | 11:24 a.m. - 12:52 p.m.
• Training Horse Championship | 12:54 p.m. - 1:58 p.m.
• Training Rider Championship | 2:28 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.
• Training Junior Championship | 4:12 p.m. - 5:04 p.m.

Show Jumping

• Open Modified Championship | 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Modified Rider Championship | 10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
• Bates Preliminary Rider Championship | 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.
• Bates Preliminary Junior/Young Rider Championship | 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Bates Preliminary Amateur Championship | 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• Bates Preliminary Horse Championship | 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Intermediate Championship | 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.

Looking to up your grooming game? Join Katie Osborne at the USEA Trade Fair Booth at 11:30 a.m. for an educational session presented by the USEA Grooms Program over grooming tips and tricks to keep your horse in top form.

For Novice competitors looking to put an edge on their cross-country round tomorrow, be sure to join five-star rider Allison Springer at the start box at 5:00 p.m. today for a course walk of the Novice track.

Adult and Young rider competitors get a chance to mingle at this evening’s carnival themed Adult & Young Rider party at 6:30 p.m., which also features the USEA IEL and Intercollegiate mixer! This party is presented by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and USEA Adult Rider and USEA Young Rider program members will each receive one ticket to attend.

This is one of the busiest days at this year’s championships, so be sure to extend your gratitude to everyone who makes this event possible. From volunteers, to sponsors, to USEA and EEI staff, and more - your thanks goes a long way as we help make eventing dreams come true in the Bluegrass!

Helpful Links

• USEA AEC Website
• AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Facility Map
• Cross-Country Maps
• Live Scores
• Livestream
• AEC Digital Event Program
• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Roster
• USEA's Coverage

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

#AEC2023 | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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.