United States Eventing Association

The Standings Remain Unchanged in USEA Novice Championships at #AEC2024

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 30— Competitors of the six USEA Novice Championships took over the cross-country course at the Kentucky Horse Park on Friday for the second phase of their championship weekend at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Find out how each division played out below.

USEA Novice Junior Championship

Kelsie Goodare and her own Carli 13 (Crunch x Herri) jumped clear and fast cross-country Friday, adding nothing to their leading dressage score of 26.5 to maintain a narrow lead going into the show jumping phase on Saturday.

Goodare was riding with the benefit of a winning experience at the AEC here last year at the Beginner Novice level, and she said this stood her in good stead as she knew what to expect and subsequently was able to enjoy it a little more. “I definitely feel like I had a lot more fun this year, and I felt more confident in us. I felt more at ease doing it, and not so much like, ‘Oh my gosh, I'm panicking about every single thing!’ It was more, ‘OK, I know we've got this, and I know that we can do it, and we're just gonna go out and have fun!’ It was good!”

Goodare described her round effusively as, “super great, super fun; he was super good,” especially once he’d settled into his rhythm which is habitual for him, and she reported that she felt, “like we were really going a little bit faster than what I had anticipated. It never felt like we were out of control. I always felt confident, and it felt really good. He was a rockstar.”

Goodare estimated that the optimum time was perhaps harder to make than the riders had expected. “I was watching some of the other girls ride, and it sounded like the time was definitely tight,” she said. “My trainer advised me to move him a little bit more forward than what I typically do, and so I guess I'm still figuring out the gears I've got down there because we were really going for it. I'm very happy because we never felt like we were frazzled or out of control, and he was just like, ‘OK, we got this, let's go and do it!’ And it definitely felt like we were both on the same page the entire time.”

Goodare ranked her ride today in her top 3 ever, and she plans to enjoy the rest of day at the Kentucky Horse Park campground pool with friends which, the USEA team endorses with two enthusiastic and very slightly envious thumbs up!

Emma Petrick and Hawthornstud Futures Bright (Future Trend x KEC Capetown) will be the penultimate combination to enter the Rolex Stadium in their division as they take control of the second place spot, also adding nothing to their dressage score of 29.2.

The two riders tied for fourth after dressage, Kaitlyn Cobey and Isabella Craft, both moved up into third overnight with double clear rounds; Cobey on her own 6-year-old warmblood gelding Redfield Need For Speed (Gasphar x Evita), and Craft on Thomas Craft’s Classic Endeavour.

USEA Novice Rider Championship

The top 3 in the USEA Novice Rider Championship from Day 1 all jumped clear cross-country within the time and thus the leaderboard remains unchanged following a relatively smooth morning of cross-country Friday.

Kerri Long is still out in front on her own Blue Suede Shoes after adding nothing to her dressage score of 25.7, Darci Burton remains in second spot on her own VS Corelli Surprise (FS Correlli Bravo x Coevers Surprise) on 26.1, and Rebecca Speer rounds out the top 3 on her own Roman Express (Roman Ruler x Grey Chatelaine) on 26.8. There is zero room for any error in the show jumping tomorrow, and the top-10 have less than a rail between them, so it promises to be an exciting, albeit nail-biting finale on Saturday.

From 60 starters around Jay Hambly’s cross-country track Friday morning, 55 combinations jumped around with clear rounds. “It rode really well; it was a really nice course,” said Long. Despite feeling nervous in general and about a few fences in particular, Long said, “it was awesome! I'm so pleased. I was very nervous, and he was really on edge but he's very forward, and he went out there, and I couldn't even stop him if I wanted to!”

This is “Memphis’” first overnight show, and he’s accustomed to night turn out so it’s been a big adjustment, which has been weighing on Long since she got here so she was thrilled with how well he rose to the occasion out on course.

“That was probably one of the more focused goes that I've had with him, where he was more with me,” she said. “Often on cross-country he's thinking about other things, like the people over there or going home or not his job. He’s actually really a pretty bold, brave horse, but his mind wanders, and he was really good today. I'm very proud of him, because he's so upset about being in all the time, this is not his natural state!”

Long has been hand-walking and grazing “Memphis” as much as possible and plans to set off home for Maryland after the show jumping wraps up Saturday so he can be turned out that night, but before that, “I feel pretty good about tomorrow,” she mused. “He's usually pretty clever. I’m excited to ride in that ring; it looks it's beautiful. It's surreal, this whole experience has been a little surreal. I've been in denial about it, maybe. I downplay things a lot, I think, to keep myself from getting nervous about it, I tell myself, ‘It's all silly, it's just silly, it's fun,’ but it really is a big deal. I'm excited.”

USEA Novice Master Amateur Championship

The top ten after dressage in the USEA Novice Master Amateur Championship remained unchanged Friday night as all of the combinations galloped home with clear cross-country rounds and crossed the finish line inside the optimum time.

Consequently, Jane Musselman, sitting on a score of 25.7, will show-jump last tomorrow on her own Corleone Tops (Tinkas Boy x Unatame De Hus) aiming to clinch the win. Obviously, Musselman will be looking to repeat history: she was in the same position last year when she won this division with Engapore, but this year she rides a relatively new horse.

“I actually got him this year," she shared. "I had a big birthday this year, and he was my birthday present so this is our fourth event together.”

Corleone Tops was sourced in France for Musselman by Phillip and Evie Dutton, who she trains with each winter down in Florida.

“He had been looking for a while,” she noted. "He knew that I had a big birthday coming up, and what I wanted, that I wanted a new horse and he thought he was going to be perfect and it was a very good match.”

Corleone Tops competed up to the three-star level in France and Musselman says they’ve clicked quickly.
“He couldn't have been much better for me in the dressage,” she said. “He did everything I asked, and I was thrilled with him.” And it was pretty much rinse and repeat as far as the cross-country phase too. “I was excited to go out there, and we just ran out there and had a good time, he was great.”

Although she winters in Florida, Musselman lives in Louisville, Kentucky, and trains here with Martha Lambert who has been helping her all weekend.

Ashley Allison on her own Sophie’s Story (Calido I x Utivia M) will be stalking Musselman who has less than a fence in hand over them in second place on 27.6, and Nancy Read on her own Classic Chrome PCH, (Con Capilot x Southern Belle) in third on 28.9

USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under Championship

Carla Lindsay and her own Take Note set out on cross-country at around 1:30 p.m. Friday, possibly the hottest part of the entire day, and with a maturity way beyond her years she adjusted to the conditions and rode accordingly, “‘Memo’ was very good,” she said. “At the end of the course she definitely was tiring out, but I picked her up and helped her, and it finished good. It was just very hot, which definitely made it more of a struggle. But it was really good, everything was great.”

Lindsay probably enjoyed the section through the woods the most, although she said it was hard to choose between that and a certain iconic fence on course, “Of course it's always fun out there. I always like the part through the woods, just like the challenges through there, finding my way around. And of course, the Head Of The Lake is always good as well.”

Her trainer had given her advice to “Let Memo’ do all the work and don’t mess it up, and Lindsay thinks she followed instructions as best she could. “Yes, I think she jumps better when I'm not trying to make decisions at the base of the jumps. It definitely started great, but then I kind of had to pull to get her head up at the end. But it was really good.”

The intense heat is forecast to break tonight which will be a relief for absolutely everyone but especially Lindsay who said she took longer to recover than her horse did. “It took me a bit to recover as well, just like in my diaphragm and getting my breath back, but after water and fans it got a lot better.”

Lindsay is based and trains with Woodge Fulton, and rides with Fulton’s husband David Ziegler on the flat and credits his coaching at home for their stellar dressage test Thursday. This evening, she plans to watch the final of the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final, and naturally she’ll be cheering for the home team!

Lindsay plans to do plenty of hand-walking in the morning as her mare’s back legs are prone to fill, and then, “I’m going to try not to get in my head too much.” she said. “One thing I'm really nervous for is going last in my division; that's going to be a lot of stress, but it's OK. It’s exciting as well. It’s very exciting to be in that position.”

Madison Zgutowicz and Sidnee Milner’s 20-year-old Welsh mare My Valentine added nothing to their second-best dressage score of 27.1 and so will enter the Rolex Arena as the penultimate combination in their division. Kendall Fansler and Hedgerow Farm’s Delilah’s Boy were also penalty-free on today’s cross-country and will remain in third place overnight.

USEA Novice Amateur Championship

On a dressage score of 23.8 Ryan Ballou had a small cushion over his closest rivals as he set off on cross-country on Astaire (Volstrups Cash x Egeskovs Habibi). The pair were the very last combination out on Jay Hambly’s Novice track just before 6:00 p.m. on Friday and right before the serious thunderstorms delayed all the action. They jumped clear and added just 1.6 time to remain at the sharp end of the leaderboard heading into the final phase.

“It was a really great course, really a lot of fun,” Ballou said afterward. “It helps when you have such a willing partner, like 'Fred' is. But what I've started realizing is maybe I need to do a little bit more speed work when I'm at home, maybe we get a little bit too slow because I told everyone I thought I was flying!”

Ballou was really impressed with the track, especially as he eyes a move up.

"There were a lot of really good questions on the course. The entire time we were walking, my [coach]Julie [Richards] was reminding me that this is a great course to do when you're thinking about moving up to the Training level. They're really starting to incorporate a lot of those questions, so really making sure you present all the questions well to the horse to make sure that he understands. I couldn't be happier with him and the way that he handled the course.”

Hailing from Ohio, Ballou especially appreciated the rolling hills of the Bluegrass. “My favorite part of this course was definitely the inclusion of terrain. The course designers did a wonderful job having uphills and downhills and after fences going downhill and then back uphill to another fence and the blue roll top on the top of the hill, that's not something that you get a lot, especially up in the Midwest, where it's flat so being able to have that practice with the terrain and just see something a little bit different than what's on your typical course, it was really fun and exciting.”

Ballou said he only had one slightly sticky moment at the Head of the Lake.

“We've seen it over and over again,” he explained. “It is a large atmosphere, you have the Rolex [Stadium] in the background, the camera crew, the shade, and all that so he just took a little extra time to really understand the question. Luckily, I'd banked up enough time in the earlier part of the course that I could let him do that to stay confident and finish out the rest of the course strongly.”

Anastasia Keyser and her own Hero’s Quest keep their second spot overnight on a score of 25.1 and Erica Addison is close behind in third on a 26.0 on her own Full Battle Rattle.

USEA Novice Horse Championship

Thanks to a clear cross-country jumping round inside the time Megan Edwards will hold her overnight lead in the competitive Novice Horse Championship on Legende De Mies (Lux Z x Femme Fatale). After just a few events together and their performances these past two days it’s looking like the decision to persuade owner Darci Burton to let them switch disciplines from show jumping was a smart one. “She's just happy to see the horse doing well at whatever she's doing, we're both in the same boat that we just want to see the horse thrive; she’s talented so I think she can go whichever direction she wants, and it's fun to watch her continue to grow either way.”

Going into today’s cross-country Edwards was aware that “Legend” still has scant eventing experience and was prepared to forgive her any green mistakes, but instead, “I think she's competed here [at the Horse Park] once, and over here it's all open, but on the backside you have all the trees and the people standing in the trees so I wasn't sure how she was going to do with all that, but she was just all focus and game,” she said. “She was a really good girl. She was flicking her ears, one back at me listening, and then both forwards; she was great. I was very proud of her; she was very brave. I felt like she learned a little bit about her gallop. I don't have any complaints!”

Despite, or perhaps more accurately because of their time spent doing pure show jumping, Edwards admits to being almost more anxious about this phase than any other as the pressure will be on her not only to clinch the championship, but to do it on a horse with proven form in this discipline.

“I just suck it up and do it!” she said. “I'm most comfortable on the back of the horse so usually once I get on and start riding that's when it kind of gets dealt with. And I remember that being on the back of the horse is my favorite place to be, and it usually either comes together, or you know, something fluke happens, but that’s also all part of the game; sport is humbling!”

Edwards won’t have too much time to dwell on her round before she goes. She has another ride in the Championships and six students’ horses to help train as well, including Legend’s owner who is currently lying second in the USEA Novice Rider Championship.

The scores were very close after the dressage phase in this stacked Novice Horse division and remain so heading into the final phase as none of the top 6 riders added any penalties during Friday’s cross-country phase. Thus, with less than a fence separating them all, Marcia Kulack will show jump in second place on Michelle Kulak’s Pantheon (Pandora x Anastazia) on 23.8, and Erin Murphy rounds out the day 2 top 3 on Rae Stone’s Haslemere Jacamo (Quidam Junior x Haslemere Sabina) on 25.1.

Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

In the Novice ATC, the Kick On team has the lead on a score of 86.5. The team includes Alexis Shrum, Erica Addison, Hannah O'Brien, and Carla Jimmerson.

Helpful Links

• USEA AEC Website
• Official AEC Digital Program
• AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Cross-Country Course Maps
• Facility Map
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• Livestream
• AEC Digital Event Program$60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Roster
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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, Majyk Equipe, 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, Big Ass Fans, Boyd Martin Fan Shop, 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 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.