USEA Approves New Updates to the 2021 AEC Qualifications

By Claire Kelley - USEA Staff

Earlier this month, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) and organizing partners Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) and Mary Fike made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 edition of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. With the cancellation this year, the USEA Board of Governors voted to approve an update to the 2021 AEC qualifications. The 2021 AEC is scheduled to take place on August 31 – September 5, 2021 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

The qualifying period for the 2021 AEC is May 25, 2020 – August 23, 2021.

All riders and/or horses who qualified to compete at the 2020 AEC will be automatically qualified for the 2021 AEC, pending completion of one event meeting the Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) at the level (or one level higher) within the time period of April 23, 2021 - August 23, 2021. The USEA Board of Governors decided to add the additional completion as a safety measure – they do not want horses and riders coming to compete over a championship level course without competing for over a year.

The applicable MER shown below will need to be completed within the time period of April 23, 2021 - August 23, 2021. Keep in mind, this is only with regards to the riders and horses who were already qualified for the 2020 AEC. If a pair qualifies or requalifies within the 2021 qualifying period, the additional MER within four months does not apply.

National MER (applicable for all levels):

Dressage - no more than 50 penalty points
Cross-country - no jumping penalties, and no more than 36 time penalties
Show Jumping – no more than 16 jump penalties

FEI MER earned at CCIs (applicable for Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels):

Dressage – no more than 45 (55%) penalty points
Cross-country – no jumping penalties, and no more than 30 time penalties for two-, three-, and four-star level and no more than 40 time penalties for five-star level
Show Jumping – no more than 16 jump penalties

*Please note that this additional modification does not exclude any competitors. Competitors who did not qualify for the 2020 AEC but are aiming for the 2021 AEC should obtain the standard AEC qualifications within the qualifying period of May 25, 2020 – August 23, 2021. Click here for the 2021 AEC Qualifications.

For questions regarding qualifications, email [email protected].

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 2021 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held August 31-September 5, 2021 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click here to learn more about the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors! The USEA would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles Gold Level Sponsors: Parker Equine Insurance, Standlee Hay; Silver Level Sponsors: Park Equine, Mountain Horse, The Jockey Club; Bronze Level Sponsors: Athletux, Black Petticoat, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Farm House Tack, FITS Riding, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, LandSafe, Parks Tax & Consulting PLLC, Retired Racehorse Project SmartPak; Contributing Level Sponsors: Amazon, Big Ass Fans, GLC Direct, Cross Country App, FarmVet, Georgetown Tourism, GLC Direct, Haygain, John Deere, L.V. Harkness, Santa Cruz Animal Health, WeatherBeeta; Prize Level Sponsors: Active Interest Media, Astrid’s Oil, Dressage TestPro, EQ AM Magazine, FLAIR, Hound & Hare, I Love My Horse, Great British Equinery, Mare Modern Goods, Ride Heels Down, Tack of the Town, Weatherbeeta.

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