United States Eventing Association

The #AEC2024 Daily: Thursday

Hello Novice competitors! We are excited to have you join in on the fun and competition at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. While the six Novice divisions dance their way down the centerline today, competitors in the Training divisions and the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final will get their chance to shine across the country. Even more exciting, we will get to crown our first 2024 AEC champions today as the Intermediate, Preliminary, and Modified competitors complete their competition week with show jumping in the iconic Rolex Arena.

There will be seven new AEC champions inducted into USEA history today between the USEA Open Intermediate Championship, the Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship, the Bates USEA Preliminary Horse Championship, the Bates USEA Preliminary JR/YR Championship, the USEA Modified Rider Championship, and the USEA Open Modified Championship.

• The scores are tight in the USEA Open Modified Championship and our leaders, Boyd Martin and Cadiz 1, do not have a rail in hand with less than one point between them and the second place pair, Elizabeth Swire and Jag'Fly JS.
• It could be a close call in the USEA Modified Rider Championship as well as overnight leaders Kasidy McMartin and Newtown Lewellyn are less than two points ahead the second and third place horse and rider pairs.
• And the scores don't get any further apart as you look at the Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship where Alayna Newsome and Quality Dynamite only have .6 of a cushion between themselves and second-place.
• Rylie Nelson and former five-star horse Galloway Sunrise have a 3 point lead in the Bates USEA Preliminary Jr/YR Championship, which means they can't afford to have a rail down to clinch the title.
• After having the only double-clear round in the Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship on cross-country day, can Nicolette Adams and Total Access make it a repeat effort in show jumping to secure their win?
• Speaking of double-clear rounds, Fast Forward, ridden by Chris Talley, was also the only horse in their division, the Bates USEA Preliminary Horse Championship, to make the time and land in first overnight. They have less than two points between themselves and the second place pair.
• Allie Knowles and P.S. I Love You also cannot afford a rail in the final phase if they want to be crowned the 2024 USEA Open Intermediate Champions.

In addition to individual champions, our Adams Horse Supply Adult Team Championships (ATC) will come to a close for Modified and Preliminary teams after show jumping today. Which teams will rise to the occasion and claim the champion sashes?

• In the Preliminary ATC division, team Absolute Quality has a 30-point lead which gives them plenty of room tomorrow morning.
• Things are not quite as roomy in the Modified ATC division, however, as team Sunshine in the Bluegrass will enter the final phase on a team score of 94.6. The second place team will bring a 103.5 to the table, which means a few rails could really shake the standings up.

If you're following along with our Advanced Final, you won't want to miss our first pair, Liz Halliday and Ocala Horse Properties' 9-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Shanroe Cooley (Dallas x Shanroe Sapphire), galloping out of the start box at 9:00 a.m. Currently in the lead are fan-favorites Boyd Martin and Tsetserleg TSF.

Today's competition schedule is as follows:

Dressage

• Stonelea Ring 1
  
  • USEA Novice Horse Championship | 9:24 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 2
  • USEA Novice Amateur Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 4:18 p.m.

• Claiborne Ring 3
  • USEA Novice Rider Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 4:24 p.m.

• Walnut Ring 4
  • USEA Novice Junior Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 1:54 p.m.

• Walnut Ring 5
  • USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under Championship | 8:24 a.m. - 12:54 p.m.
  • USEA Novice Master Amateur Championship | 1:18 p.m. - 4:24 p.m.

Cross-Country

• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final | 9:00 a.m. - 11:56 a.m.
• ARMA USEA Training Amateur Championship | 12:30 p.m. - 1:56 p.m.
• ARMA USEA Training Horse Championship | 2:00 p.m. - 3:08 p.m.
• ARMA USEA Training Junior Championship | 3:38 p.m - 4:36 p.m.
• ARMA USEA Training Rider Championship | 4:40 p.m. - 6:24 p.m.

Show Jumping

• USEA Open Modified Championship | 8:00 a.m.
• USEA Modified Rider Championship | 9:45 a.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship | 12:30 p.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Jr/YR Championship | 1:15 p.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship | 2:15 p.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Horse Championship | 3:30 p.m.
• USEA Intermediate Championship | 6:30 p.m.

Our Novice cross-country course walk with Marilyn Payne takes place today, and we encourage all Novice competitors who are looking to fine-tune their plan's for tomorrow's cross-country phase to join. Meet up with Marilyn at the Novice start box at 5:30 p.m.

Adult and Young rider competitors get a chance to mingle at this evening’s Team Spirit USEA Adult & Eras Tour Young Rider party at 6:30 p.m. in the VIP Hospitality Tent!

Our Sponsor Vendor Village will be open again today from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Make sure you are setting aside some time to peruse all the amazing goods and services offered by this year's vendors.

With three phases running today, our volunteers are BUSY! Be sure to thank each one you pass for helping make this week possible. Your kind words go a long way, and we know they appreciate every "thank you" they receive.

*Frankie Thieriot Stutes of Athletux will be offering live commentary of at least the Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced divisions of the livestream this year.

Helpful Links

• USEA AEC Website
• Official AEC Digital Program
• AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Facility Map
• 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!

#AEC2024 | Facebook | Instagram | Threads | TikTok

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 will be 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, 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, 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.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, Aug. 28-30, 2024. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2024, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to eight teams from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level to the ATC. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Equilab, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Kerrits, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.