United States Eventing Association

Two Months Until the 2024 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds

The countdown to the 2024 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is getting shorter and the tentative schedule is officially set! For the second year in a row, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park from August 27 through September 1 and will offer 26 divisions, including brand new Starter divisions and all levels of recognized evening up through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.

Entries for the 2024 AEC will open on Tuesday, July 16. The USEA anticipates significant interest for this year’s event, so it is strongly recommended to enter on opening day. Entries will close on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. All entries must be submitted electronically with credit card payment. This year, AEC entry fees will be $670 for Advanced, $610 for Intermediate, $560 for Preliminary and Modified, and $525 for Training, Novice, Beginner Novice, and Starter.

Both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete at. Please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses to confirm eligibility prior to entering. For questions regarding AEC qualifications, contact Hannah Seagle at [email protected].

In addition to the individual championship divisions, the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will also return to the AEC. ATC divisions will be offered for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program at the Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified, and Preliminary levels. While the Starter Level is being introduced to the AEC this year, it is not yet being added to the ATC. Adult Riders interested in participating in the ATC must submit the letter of intent linked here no later than August 1, 2024. National and Area-specific requirements for competing in the ATC can be viewed here.

The 2024 USEA AEC omnibus page is now available, which includes the tentative schedule of events listed below. The general schedule will not be finalized until August 6, 2023. More information about parties hosted during the AEC and VIP Hospitality tickets will be available soon.

2024 AEC Tentative Schedule

Monday, August 26

3:00 p.m. - All cross-country courses open

Tuesday, August 27

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

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

Wednesday, August 28

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

8:00 a.m. – Dressage – Advanced, Training

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

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. – Welcome Reception at The KHP Big Barn

Thursday, August 29

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

8:00 a.m. – Dressage – Novice

8:00 a.m. – Cross-Country – Advanced, Training

8:00 a.m. – Show Jumping – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified

5:30 - 6:30 p.m. – Owner and Sponsor Reception at Stonelea Pavilion

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Adult and Young Rider Part in the VIP Hospitality Tent

7:00 p.m. – Officials Reception (Invitation Only)

Friday, August 30

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

7:30 a.m. – Cross-Country – Novice

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

8:00 a.m. – Show Jumping - Training

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

6:30 p.m. – Competitor Party in the VIP Hospitality Tent

7:30 p.m. – Show Jumping – Advanced Final

Saturday, August 31

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

7:30 a.m. – Show Jumping – Novice

8:00 a.m. – Cross-Country – Beginner Novice, Starter

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

Sunday, September 1

7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar)

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

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. – AEC Sponsor Vendor Village Open

Stabling

Stabling at the Kentucky Horse Park will be available for $300 per stall for use from Monday, August 26 at 12:00 P.M. to Monday, September 2 at 7:00 A.M. Tack stalls are also available for $300/stall on a first come, first paid basis due to the anticipated high entries. Tack stalls must be assigned to one entry for payment purposes, but the entire group that is sharing a single tack stall must be listed on entry.

Due to the overlap of the KHJA Fall Show on Saturday, August 24, and Sunday, August 25, early arrivals are not permitted. If you would like to stable at the KHP on August 23-25, please contact the KHJA Event at kentuckyhorseshows.com. Should you opt to enter stabling with KHJA, you will stay in the stall they assign you. As an alternative, the following layover facilities are available for early arrivals:

• Newtown Station - (859) 227-1453
• Walnut Hall - (859) 254-5660, walnuthallstockfarm.com
• Brett Cissell - (502) 639-0617
• Six Winters Farm - (859) 494-5334, sixwintersfarm.com
• Briar Hill Stables - (513) 518-7827

All stabling requests must be submitted using the stabling form linked here. For groups, please list one common name for the entire group on all forms to ensure correct placement. Any additions or changes to your stabling requests must be made by closing date on August 13. Changes after closing date will be accessed a $50 per change fee and will only be made if possible. Please direct all stabling questions and concerns to the AEC Stable Manager, Sophie Plowright, at [email protected].

If you would like to pre-order shavings, feed or hay, rent stall mats, reserve paddocks or secure a golf cart for use during the event, please order in advance through Dever, Inc. at deverrentals.com or call 1-859-233-9702.

Accommodations

Our partners at EEI have secured discounted room rates at several local hotels for AEC competitors to take advantage of. Please view the list below for options within a 10-mile radius of the Kentucky Horse Park that are offering special rates for our members!

Embassy Suites by Hilton

• 1801 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
• 5.7 miles from KHP
• $159 per night plus tax
• Amenities - complimentary breakfast, evening reception, pet friendly
• Book Here - Reservations must be received via the booking link prior to August 6, 2024

EverHome Suites (NEW)

• 757 Newtown Springs Dr, Lexington, KY 40511
• 6 miles from KHP
• $79 per night plus tax
• Amenities - all rooms include washer and dryer, fridge, and 2 burner stove, pet friendly
• Book Here

La Quinta Inn (Newly Remodeled)

• 1920 Stanton Way, Lexington, KY 40511
• 4.7 miles from KHP
• $75 per night plus tax
• Amenities - complimentary breakfast, pet friendly
• Reservations can be made by calling 888-312-2399 and referencing "2024 American Eventing Championships"
• Reservations must be received prior to August 5, 2024

Hilton Garden Inn

• 110 Grandstand Dr, Georgetown, KY 40324
• 7.6 miles from KHP
• $134 per night plus tax
• Amenities - pet friendly
• Reservations can be made by calling 502-863-0099 and referencing the "2024 USEA American Eventing Championships"
• Reservations must be received prior to August 5, 2024

Marriott Griffin Gate

• 1800 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511
• 5.7 miles from KHP
• $144 per night plus tax with a $10 Daily Resort Fee
• Amenities - golf course, spa, multiple restaurants on-site
• Reservations can be made by calling 859-231-5100 and referencing the "2024 American Eventing Championships"
• Reservations must be received prior to July 30, 2024

Fairfield Inn by Marriott

• 2100 Hackney Pl, Lexington, KY 40511
• 4.7 miles from KHP
• $119 per night plus tax
• Amenities - complimentary breakfast
• Book Here - Reservations must be received prior to July 27, 2024

If you plan to travel via RV or want to camp at the Kentucky Horse Park, please call the Campgrounds to secure your reservation at 859-259-4257 and select option 2. RV sites cannot be booked through the event secretary or organizers. For more local accommodation options, consider checking AirBnB or VRBO.

As a reminder, both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete in. For more information, please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses. For questions regarding AEC qualifications, contact Hannah Seagle

The USEA looks forward to seeing everyone in Kentucky! Stay tuned to the USEA website for more event updates and details, and don’t forget to respond “going” on the 2024 AEC Facebook event page. For general questions about the AEC, please contact Kate Lokey.

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, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Canter Culture Riding Apparel, Kerrits, The Jockey Club; and more!

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 USEA Adult Team Championships

The 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 Adult Team Championships.

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