United States Eventing Association

USEA Approves New Qualification Period for 2020 AEC

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) has approved additional modifications to the qualification period for the 2020 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The AEC is scheduled to take place August 25-30, 2020 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky, and the USEA is doing everything possible to ensure a safe and successful Championship, while also ensuring fair opportunities for all.

The qualification period for the 2020 AEC was May 27, 2019 – August 18, 2020. The USEA AEC Organizing Committee as well as the USEA Board of Governors met this week and approved the extension of the qualification period for the 2020 AEC to now be moved back to March 1, 2019 – August 18, 2020, to capture the season that was lost in 2020.

The AEC Organizing Committee and the USEA Board of Governors considered several options after reviewing data provided by the USEA’s I.T. department which analyzed how many horses and riders had qualified for the AEC in 2019 versus 2020. “The data showed that there are currently more riders and horses qualified for the AEC for 2020 than there were at this time last year for the 2019 AEC,” explained USEA CEO Rob Burk. Currently, over 2,200 riders and 2,500 horses are already qualified to compete. “However, the USEA still wanted to be sympathetic to the members who lost part of their 2020 competition season, and extend the qualification period back to March 1, 2019 to compensate for the time that was lost from 2020.”

“We are so excited to be moving forward with the 2020 AEC,” added USEA President Max Corcoran. “The USEA Board of Governors has decided to extend the qualification back to the date where we had to slow our world down due to COVID-19, which gives everyone 10 extra weeks of qualification period.”

Both groups agreed that easing placing standards would not be in line with upholding the strongest safety standards for a Championship competition, but that extending the qualification period would provide additional horses and riders the chance to have past results count.

“We look forward to seeing everybody in Lexington, Kentucky at the end of August,” concluded Corcoran.

The USEA staff continues to be available for our members. Please contact us with any questions. For questions about the USEA’s decisions please contact [email protected]. For specific questions regarding the AEC, please contact [email protected].

For more COVID-19 resources, click here.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, the best junior, adult amateur, and professional competitors gather to vie for national championship titles at every level from Beginner Novice to Advanced. This ultimate test of horse and rider draws hundreds of horses and riders 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. The 2020 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held August 25-August 30, 2020 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.