United States Eventing Association

Happy first day of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds! It's one of the best (and busiest) weeks of the year, but we are so happy to have all of you here with us at the gorgeous Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and for those of you following along diligently from home!

Day 1 is all about dressage as our Intermediate, Preliminary, and Modified divisions get under way today. There are three competitors who have the honors of being the first down the centerline at this year's AEC: Devon Tresan in the Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship, Laura Sparks in the Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship, and Tik Maynard in the USEA Open Intermediate Championship.

Today's full competition schedule is as follows:

Dressage

• Stonelea Ring 1
  • USEA Open Intermediate Championship | 8:00 a.m.
    

• Claiborne Ring 3
  • Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship | 8:00 a.m.
  • Standlee USEA Modified Rider Championship | 10:33 a.m.

• Walnut Ring 4
  • Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship | 8:00 a.m.
  • Standlee USEA Modified Amateur Championship | 10:40 a.m.

• Walnut Ring 5
  • Bates USEA Open Preliminary Championship | 8:00 a.m.
  • Standlee USEA Open Modified Championship | 11:00 a.m.

We have eight amazing dressage judges joining us this week. Please join us in acknowledging them for their hard work scoring every single dressage test from Starter to the Advanced level over the next four days: Matt Trynoski, Domenique Carson, Ashley Johnson, Rick Caldwell, Julie Congleton, Lisa Anderson, Ava Chase, and Jackie Smith. Don't forget to thank your judge at the end of your test!

New to this year's schedule is a rider meeting for Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced competitors which takes place at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, August 25) in the rider tent. This meeting was added after reviewing competitor feedback from past years and our team of officials is looking forward to getting to sit down with all of you to discuss relevant information for each of your levels.

There are a couple of course walking opportunities today that you don't want to miss out on:

• Preliminary Cross-Country Course Walk with Shannon Lilley | 12:00 p.m. | Please meet at the Preliminary start box
• Modified Cross-Country Course Walk with Emily Mastervich | 5:00 p.m. | Please meet at the Modified start box
• Adult Rider Program Modified Course Walk with Clark Montgomery | Time | Please meet at the Modified start box

Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) competitors are encouraged to join an ATC team meetup, hosted by USEA Area I and V, this afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 at the Adams Horse Supply Adult Riders lounge on the main vendor row. Snacks and beverages will be provided and attendees are eligible for prizes!

All AEC competitors and attendees are invited to stop by the Kentucky Equine Research tent! Nutrition advisors will be on hand to weigh your horse, evaluate its body condition score, and offer personalized nutrition advice. Plus, take advantage of the show special, enter the daily prize drawings, and guess your horse’s weight for a chance to win the grand prize!

Don't forget to visit one of our many vendors in the Sponsor Vendor Village which will be open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. today. Each of these vendors has also sponsored this year’s AEC, many of them donating prizes as well, and we know they would appreciate your business and gratitude!

Lastly, while we probably don’t need to say it, make sure to show some love to the 256 incredible volunteers who are helping make today possible! An event of this size simply couldn’t happen without their time, energy, and dedication. Whether it’s a high five, a hug, a snack, or a heartfelt “thank you,” a little appreciation goes a long way in recognizing the amazing people who keep this event running.

Helpful Links

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

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

#AEC2026 | 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 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 25-30 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 Sponsors: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Gallaghers Water, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program, Rood & Riddle; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70°, Antech Diagnostics, Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, John Deere, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Contributing Level Sponsors: AnimaSol, CrossCountry App, Foxhollow Farm, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism, Kentucky Equine Research, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Lexmark, LV Harkness, Only Fools and Horses, #WeRideTogether, YETI; and Prize Level Sponsors: ARRO Helmets, The Dad Den, Dandy Products, Equiluxe Tack, Equine IMED, Fair Hill Saddlery, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, I Love My Horse Boutique, The Infused Equestrian, Love Equestrian, Majyk Equipe, Mare Modern Goods, Natalie Hummel Coaching, Neighborly Tack, Outlaw Nutrition, Parkmore Supplements, Peak Performance Equine Spa, Poseidon Animal Health, Rachel Dory Fine Art, Right Path Equestrian, Saddle Bird Boutique, Sidelines Magazine, Strides For Equality Equestrians, STRIDER, Stylish in the Saddle, VTO Saddlery, and XLR8 Equine.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 26-28. 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 2026, 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 nine teams and 39 riders for the BN, N, T, and M levels, plus an additional eight members if they are at the Starter level only. 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 USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, Bates Saddles, The Chronicle of the Horse, FarmVet, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, SmartPak, and Santa Cruz Animal Health for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.