Are you an Adult Rider interested in competing in the Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds, this Aug. 29–Sept. 3, 2023, at the Kentucky Horse Park? Start building team camaraderie and get valuable competition experience at your Area’s Adult Team Challenges!
For many years, the ATCs were held annually in different locations (Eastern, Central, and Western) around the United States, but in an effort to re-energize the program, the membership of the USEA voted to change the overall model of the program.
Starting in 2014, every Area was encouraged to hold ATCs to offer adult riders the opportunity to compete in team competitions leading up to the USEA Adult Team Championships, the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges. As a result, ATCs were no longer isolated to the three challenges around the country. Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Preliminary, and new as of 2023, a Modified division, will be offered at the Championships. For a full list of qualifications and procedures for the ATC, click here.
View the list of ATCs below to see what is being offered in your area in 2023! Keep in mind that the calendar is a preliminary, tentative list of events hosting ATCs, and it is subject to change. New challenges can be added regularly, so members are encouraged to reach out to their favorite local events to invite them to apply to host an ATC. Please continue to check here for any updates throughout the year.
2023 Adult Team Challenges Calendar
Area | Date | Event | Adult Rider Contact | Contact Phone Number |
I | June 3-4, 2023 | GMHA June H.T. | Amy Winnen | 617-733-9221 |
Aug. 19-20, 2023 | Genesee Valley Riding Club H.T. | Amy Winnen | 617-733-9221 | |
II | March 11-12, 2023 | Southern Pines H.T. | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 |
June 17-18, 2023 | Horse Park of New Jersey H.T. I | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 | |
July 14-16, 2023 | The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 | |
July 23, 2023 | Full Moon Farms H.T. | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 | |
Oct. 7-8, 2023 | WindRidge Farm Fall H.T. | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 | |
Nov. 12, 2023 | Full Moon Farms H.T. | Donna Bottner | 301-503-8549 | |
III | March 31-April 2, 2023 | Chattahoochee Hills H.T. | Cindy Phillips | 770-307-7240 |
April 15-16, 2023 | Poplar Place April H.T. | Cindy Phillips | 770-307-7240 | |
June 3-4, 2023 | Ocala Summer H.T. | Cindy Phillips | 770-307-7240 | |
IV | TBD | TBD | Julie Simmons | 804-754-5263 |
V | May 6-7, 2023 | Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. | Alissa McKinney | 817-271-5878 |
VI | April 13-16, 2023 | Twin Rivers Spring International | Sharl Talan | 805-551-4743 |
VII | June 30-July 2, 2023 | Inavale Farm H.T. | Maggie Rikard | 253-569-1287 |
VIII | Oct. 18-22, 2023 | Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event | Shannon Risner | 513-284-6522 |
IX | TBD | TBD | Becca Caufield | 719-313-1927 |
X | June 30-July 1, 2023 | Summer Coconino H.T. | Deirdre Orcelletto | 602-568-4660 |
Are you interested in hosting an Adult Team Challenge? Learn more about the program here and contact Kate Lokey at [email protected] to inquire.
For more information on the Adult Rider Program and Adult Team Challenges in your area, please contact your Adult Rider Coordinator.
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 The Chronicle of the Horse, FITS Riding, Nutrena Feeds, SmartPak, Achieve Equine/FLAIR, Kerrits, and Horse & Country TV for sponsoring the USEA Adult Team Championships.
About the USEA Adult Rider Program
The USEA Adult Rider Program is open to all adults, professional or amateur, ages 22 years and older. The program aims to unite adults across all skill and experience levels in a supportive program that promotes education, communication, recognition, and fun! The goal of the Adult Rider program is to continue to encourage participation in the sport of eventing beyond one’s junior years by providing educational programs, support to Area Adult Rider programs, funding opportunities, and the Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Click here to learn more about the Adult Rider Program.
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.
With a total of 382 volunteer hours in 2024, Catherine “Cathy” Hale not only topped the USEA Area III VIP Volunteer leaderboard, but she also ranked fourth out of all eventing volunteers across the country. Hale (The Villages, Florida) has worked as a travel agent for over 30 years, a career that suits her love of travel nicely. At the time of being interviewed for this article, Hale was passing the equator on a cruise to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia.
The USEA office will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, and will reopen again on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The USEA staff will return emails and phone calls when the office re-opens on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 or at their earliest convenience.