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):
FEI MER earned at CCIs (applicable for Modified, Preliminary, Intermediate, and Advanced levels):
*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].
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.
Did you know that there are over 53,000 wild mustangs in holding facilities across the United States? My mustang journey began in February 2018 after losing my heart horse whom I had just shy of 20 years. I wanted another horse of color, and my friend sent me the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) internet adoption link. I was amazed at all of the horses available on the internet auction, but I quickly fell in love with Woodrow. I learned that he was a popular band stallion in Wyoming and had been followed by photographers for close to three years.
The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce the addition of the Modified Rider division beginning at the 2023 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. The USEA AEC will move back to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky August 29–September 3, 2023.
Are you interested in competing in the sport of eventing but aren’t quite sure how to get started? Do you have a horse that is looking for a new career? Consider participating in a USEA New Event Horse (NEH) competition in 2023! The USEA NEH Program was created to be an introduction to the sport of eventing for both horse and rider, and the 2023 NEH Calendar is now available here.
Will Coleman had a huge 2022 with his string of horses, including a team silver medal at the FEI World Eventing Championship in Italy on Off The Record and top four-star placings with Chin Tonic HS, but it was Dondante whose consistency paid off to earn the Standlee Premium Western Forage USEA Horse of the Year title.