United States Eventing Association

The countdown to the 2025 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds just got shorter—competitors have just two months left to finalize their plans to compete at Galway Downs on Aug. 27-31!

The 2025 AEC will offer 23 divisions, from the Starter level through the pinnacle $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final. The event will also serve as host of the 2025 Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the Starter (NEW for 2025), Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified levels.

Entries & Qualifications

Entries for the 2025 AEC will open in two weeks on Tuesday, July 15 and close on Tuesday, Aug. 12. In April, the USEA Board of Governors’ Executive Committee approved updated qualifications for this year’s championships, like expanding the list of qualifying placings to 1st through 5th place in all Starter—Preliminary divisions, including Rider and Amateur divisions, to give more members the opportunity to compete at this incredible venue. To learn more about the qualification updates announced last month, click here. To view a full listing of event information, click here to view the 2025 AEC Calendar listing.

The 2025 AEC qualification period is May 20, 2024, through Aug. 12, 2025, and both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete. For more information, please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses. Competitors are encouraged to double-check their individual qualifications to ensure compliance with the updated guidelines. To review the full qualification criteria for the 2025 AEC, visit the AEC qualifications webpage.

Provisional Schedule

Friday, August 22

12:00 p.m. – Barns open for complimentary early arrival for competitors from Areas I, II, III, & VIII (Advanced appointment required, email [email protected] to inquire)

Saturday, August 23

12:00 p.m. – Barns open for complimentary early arrival for competitors from Areas IV, V, & IX (Advanced appointment required, email [email protected] to inquire)

Sunday, August 24

12:00 p.m. – Barns open for complimentary early arrival for competitors from Areas VII & X (Advanced appointment required, email [email protected] to inquire)

Monday, August 25

12:00 p.m. – Barns open to all competitors

Tuesday, August 26

3:00 p.m. – Cross-country courses open

Wednesday, August 27

8:00 a.m. – Dressage – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training Horse

6:00 – Welcome Reception

Thursday, August 28

8:00 a.m. – Dressage – Advanced, Training Amateur, Training Junior, Training Rider, Novice Horse

8:00 a.m. – Cross-Country – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified, Training Horse

6:00 p.m. – Adult Rider & Young Rider Parties

Friday, August 29

7:30 a.m. – Cross-Country – Advanced, Training Amateur, Training Junior, Training Rider, Novice Horse

8:00 a.m. – Dressage – Novice Amateur, Novice Junior, Novice Rider, Beginner Novice, Starter

8:00 a.m. – Show Jumping - Preliminary, Modified, Training Horse

6:00 p.m. – Competitor Party

6:00 p.m. – Show Jumping – Intermediate Final

Saturday, August 30

7:30 a.m. – Cross-Country – Novice Amateur, Novice Junior, Novice Rider, Beginner Novice, Starter

8:00 a.m. – Show Jumping – Training Amateur, Training Junior, Training Rider, Novice Horse

6:00 p.m. – Competitor Party

6:00 p.m. – Show Jumping – Advanced Final

Sunday, August 31

7:30 a.m. – Show Jumping – Novice Amateur, Novice Junior, Novice Rider, Beginner Novice, Starter

Click here for the AEC Provisional Schedule, which will be regularly updated as planning progresses. Over 25 years of managing equestrian competitions in Temecula, the Galway Downs organizing team has extensive experience adjusting the competition schedule to keep horses and humans healthy in all weather. Afternoon breaks are likely to take advantage of typically cool mornings and evenings in August.

Get Ready to Party at Galway Downs

If you’ve been to an event at Galway Downs recently, you know that they are experts at creating a top-notch experience for their competitors! One thing the venue is especially well known for is their VIP Hospitality, and the AEC will be no exception.

From 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, the VIP Pavilion will be open and serving bottomless buffet-style breakfast and lunch each day. This cool, covered viewing area next to the Grand Prix Arena is the perfect place to enjoy the competition—in person and on the livestream! Click here to purchase tickets today. Tickets will be sold in the following package options:

• Full-Event Pass (Wednesday – Sunday)
  • Table for 8 - $2,900
  • Individual Seat - $450
• 4-Day Pass (Thursday – Sunday)
  • Table for 8 - $2,400
  • Individual Seat - $400

During event week, single-day VIP Hospitality tickets may be available for purchase in the show office, based on availability. Tickets for each of the four evening parties will also be available for purchase at $40 per person per event in the show office.

For general questions about the AEC, please contact Kate Lokey. For questions regarding AEC qualifications, contact Hannah Seagle. To confirm qualifications, visit the AEC Qualified Riders and AEC Qualified Horses lists throughout the year. Don't forget to respond "going" to the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships Facebook Event to let us know that you'll be there!

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 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 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 27-31 at Galway Downs in Temecula, California. 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, Marshall+Sterling; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Standlee; and more!

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at Galway Downs in Temecula, California on Aug. 27-29, 2025. 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 2025, 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 Starter Level to Modified 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 USEA Adult Team Championships.

The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, The Chronicle of the Horse, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.