United States Eventing Association

Happy Wednesday morning USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds competitors. We got things rocking and rolling yesterday and now the ARMA USEA Training and $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final pairs have come out to play. Today's schedule will see two phases running at the same time with those competing in our USEA Intermediate, Bates USEA Preliminary, and Standlee USEA Modified divisions heading out to cross-country while our Training and Advanced Final pairs will get their first chance to shine in the sandbox.

First up in the Advanced FInal will be Maya Clarkson riding her own 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Maks Mojo C (Mighty Magic x MS Winter Morning). Twenty pairs are vying for the lion's share of the $60,000 prize. You can learn more about each competitor here.

Meanwhile, over at the start box Juliana Cassar and HSH Hooligan will be the first pair to gallop across the legendary bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park. They are competing in the Standlee USEA Open Modified Championship and will kickstart a full day of cross-country action at 8:02 a.m.

Today's competition schedule is as follows:

Dressage

• Stonelea Ring 1
  • $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final | 8:30 a.m.

• Claiborne Ring 2
  • ARMA USEA Training Amateur Championship | 8:00 a.m.

• Claiborne Ring 3
  • ARMA USEA Training Rider Championship | 8:00 a.m.

• Walnut Ring 4
  • ARMA USEA Training JR Championship | 8:00 a.m.
  • ARMA USEA Training Horse Championship | 11: 30 a.m.

Cross-Country

• Standlee USEA Open Modified | 8:00 a.m.
• Standlee USEA Modified Amateur | 8:24 a.m.
• Standlee USEA Modified Rider | 9:10 a.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Rider | 10:48 a.m.
• Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur | 11:42 a.m.
• Bates USEA Open Preliminary | 12:33 p.m.
• USEA Open Intermediate | 2:03 p.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!

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

• Training Cross-Country Course Walk with Madison Temkin | 5:00 p.m. | Please meet at the Training start box
• Adult Rider Program Training Course Walk with Skyler Voss | 5:30 p.m. | Please meet at the Training start box

Don't forget about the Western Welcome Reception, Sponsored by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation tonight at the KHP Big Barn at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are required, each horse entered will receive one complimentary ticket to the reception and additional tickets can be purchased here for $66 per person.

Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) competitors are encouraged to join an ATC team meetup, hosted by USEA Area II and III, 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!

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, 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.