United States Eventing Association

USEA Executive Committee Approves Qualification Criteria Update for 2025 AEC at Galway Downs

The USEA Executive Committee has approved an important update to the qualification criteria for the 2025 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC), presented by Nutrena Feeds. This update expands the placing qualifications across the Starter through Preliminary levels.

Under the revised criteria, riders may now earn qualifying placings by finishing 1st through 5th place in all Starter - Preliminary divisions, including Rider and Amateur divisions. Intermediate and Advanced qualifications remain the same as in previous years.

“For the qualification period that began on May 20, 2024, and extends through August 12, 2025, we recognized that there have been limited qualification opportunities, especially in the western U.S., for a variety of reasons,” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “Our hope is that this expansion will provide more of our members and their qualified horses with the opportunity to compete at the spectacular Galway Downs facility in Temecula, California. The goal of the AEC is to offer a national championship experience at every level of our sport. We want to increase access while maintaining the highest safety standards, which is why only the placing criteria have been adjusted.”

Competitors are encouraged to double-check their individual qualifications to ensure compliance with the updated guidelines. To review the full qualification criteria for the 2025 AEC, visit the AEC qualifications webpage.

The updated qualified riders list for 2025 may be found here.

The updated qualified horse list for 2025 may be found here.

This temporary change applies only to the 2025 AEC. A dedicated Task Force is currently reviewing the broader qualification framework for the 2026 AEC, with updated standards anticipated before May 20, 2025.

The 2025 AEC divisions targeted at being offered at Galway Downs 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.

This year, the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will include the following levels: Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified. Changes to the 2025 ATC were announced here.

If you have any further questions regarding your qualifications, please check the AEC Qualification page or call the office at (703) 779-0440 ext. 3008 to reach Hannah Seagle, Director of Competitions.

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. 26-31 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, Horse & Country; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Standlee; and more!"