United States Eventing Association

USEA Adult Team Championships: Level Updates and Letter of Intent Reminders

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to offer the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) at the upcoming USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The AEC will take place at Galway Downs in Temecula, California, from Wednesday, Aug. 27, to Sunday, Aug. 31.

This year, the Adult Team Championships will introduce a Starter level, while the Preliminary level will no longer be offered to make room for this popular addition. Furthermore, the AEC will support both Rider and Amateur divisions across all levels from Starter to Modified. This marks a significant expansion at the Modified level, ensuring that more ATC riders are eligible for participation in the ATC.

“We're excited about the introduction of new Rider and Amateur divisions at the Modified and Starter levels,” said Amy Winnen, USEA Adult Rider Committee Chairman. “The addition of Starter Rider and Amateur divisions, along with Starter level for the Adult Team Championships, reflects the feedback we've received from our members around building opportunities at the Starter level. Participation in the Preliminary Adult Team Championships is declining, while interest in Modified and Starter is growing. The Adult Rider Program Coordinators Committee, acting on member feedback, unanimously agreed a shifted focus was warranted and would result in using limited resources to serve a broader range of members. Preliminary level competitors who are Adult Rider Program members will be recognized through Adult Rider Program high point awards at the AEC. We look forward to having more riders in the Adult Team Championships and celebrating all program members' achievements."

The ATC is offered to USEA members who are part of their Area’s Adult Rider program (before Aug. 1), and they must be 22 years of age or older. Riders must enter either the Amateur division or the Rider division at the AEC at their respective level: Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, Modified.

The USEA Adult Rider Coordinators are requiring that all ATC riders submit this letter of intent in order to be considered for an ATC team. The letter of intent was introduced in 2022 to streamline and organize the team-creation process. Filling out a form does not mean a rider is 100% committed to entering. The form’s intent is to show he/she is considering competing at the AEC and would like to be on an ATC team if they decide to compete. Please fill out the form as soon as possible and a copy will be automatically submitted to your Area Coordinator.

Fill out the ATC letter of intent here.

To compete at the USEA Adult Team Championships at Galway Downs, please see the national qualification requirements below. Additionally, each area will have its own qualification standards, which may be viewed here.

National Qualifications for Entry into the 2025 USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC)

1. The rider must be a current Adult Rider Program Member for their Area by August 1, 2025.
2. The qualifying period for each horse and rider pair is May 20, 2024 – Aug. 12, 2025
3. Horses and riders must be members/registered with the USEA at the time of achieving qualifications and during the Adult Team Championships.
4. All riders must be 22 years of age or older
5. Closing dates will be consistent with the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC).
6. Each horse and rider pair must meet AEC qualifications for the level and division they are competing in.
7. Letter of Intent must be submitted by August 1, 2025.
8. Each Area may have up to eight teams, with a maximum of 35 riders, at the USEA Adult Team Championships, in the BN, N, T, M. Additionally, with the new Starter level for ATC, Areas may have up to 8 additional riders (above the 35) if those riders are at the Starter Level only.
9. All teams should be coordinated through the Area Adult Rider Coordinator(s).
10. The Adult Team Championship teams will be composed only of riders competing in the Amateur divisions and/or the Rider specific divisions hosted at the USEA American Eventing Championships. Riders competing in the Junior, Horse, and/or Open divisions cannot be placed on ATC teams.
11. Mixed Area teams are allowed and encouraged. All horse and rider pairs without a full team of 3-4 members must be identified by the Area Adult Rider Coordinators as qualified and willing to compete and submitted to the USEA for inclusion on a mixed team.

*Special note: All team members must be present at the ATC awards ceremonies to claim their prizes and ribbons. Exceptions will only be given to those with proof of medical, veterinary, or emergency situations.

For questions regarding the ATC and your team, please reach out to your Area Adult Rider Coordinator.

The AEC divisions targeted at being offered this year are as follows:

AEC Divisions

$60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

USEA Open Intermediate

Bates USEA Open Preliminary

Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur

Bates USEA Preliminary Rider

USEA Open Modified

USEA Modified Amateur

USEA Modified Rider

ARMA USEA Training Horse

ARMA USEA Training Amateur

ARMA USEA Training Rider

ARMA USEA Training Jr.

USEA Novice Horse

USEA Novice Amateur

USEA Novice Rider

USEA Novice Jr.

USEA Beginner Novice Horse

USEA Beginner Novice Amateur

USEA Beginner Novice Rider

USEA Beginner Novice Jr.

USEA Starter Amateur

USEA Starter Rider

USEA Starter Jr.

Adult Team Championships:

Modified

Training

Novice

Beginner Novice

Starter

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 USEA 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, Santa Cruz Animal Health, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.

About the USEA Adult Rider Program

The USEA Adult Rider Program is open to all adults, professional or amateur, aged 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.

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 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, Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Smartpak, Standlee; and more!