United States Eventing Association

The #AEC2023 Daily: Tuesday

The long-awaited start of the #AEC2023 has finally arrived! The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, is buzzing with excitement this morning as some riders are just getting settled in their stalls, while others are making their way to the dressage rings for their first day of competition.

It’s all about dressage today as competitors participating in the single Intermediate division, two Modified divisions, and four Preliminary divisions strut their way down the centerline. The Open Modified Championship division kicks off the action this morning at 8:18 a.m. in the Walnut Ring with Florida rider Gillian Matheson and her own Thoroughbred cross gelding Imagine That paving the way as the first rider to compete at #AEC2023.

Today's full competition schedule is as follows:

Dressage

• Stonelea Ring 1
  • Open Intermediate Championship | 8:20 a.m. - 3:48 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 2
  • Bates Preliminary Horse Championship | 8:20 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Bates Preliminary Rider Championship | 1:07 p.m. - 3:48 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 3
  • Bates Preliminary Jr/Young Rider Championship | 8:20 a.m. - 10:12 a.m.
  • Bates Preliminary Amateur Championship | 10:19 a.m. - 1:56 p.m.

• Walnut Ring 4
  • Open Modified Championship | 8:18 a.m. - 10:36 a.m.
  • Modified Rider Championship | 10:43 a.m. - 3:06 p.m.

The judges who will be working tirelessly to score each and every dressage test this week include Julie Congleton, Janice Holmes, Debbie Boeh, Lori Hoos, Cheryl Connell-Marsh, Lisa Anderson, Eileen Pritchard-Bryan, Susan Posner, and Wayne Quarles. We encourage you to thank them for their commitment to the AEC this year after your ride!

For competitors prepping for their cross-country rides, consider joining one of the USEA's arranged course walks throughout the week. There are two course walks taking place today at 5:00 p.m. that you won't want to miss out on. Preliminary riders can meet up with newly-named Pan American Games team member Sharon White at the start box, and Modified riders have the opportunity to course walk with former USEA President, upper-level eventer, and coach of more than 30 years Carol Kozlowski!

Speaking of thanking folks, don’t forget to extend your thanks to the 300+ volunteers who you will see scattered across the grounds all week long. Without them, an event this size would be impossible. Event volunteers run on gratitude (and the volunteer meals we provide them, of course!), so be sure to give each one you see a high five.

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.