United States Eventing Association

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 27—The USEA Novice Championship competitors had their first opportunity to make their mark at the 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds on Thursday as six divisions headed down the centerline at the Kentucky Horse Park. With dressage complete for the USEA Novice, Amateur, Horse, Junior, Junior 15 & Under, Master Amateur, and Rider Championships, the early leaders have emerged, but with two jumping phases still ahead, there is plenty left to be decided before this year’s Novice champions are crowned.

Elliot Bizjak and Rachel Schindler’s N’Pressive, a 14-year-old Haflinger gelding (Next Level GHJ x Lamosi GGHF) danced their way to the top of the USEA Novice Junior division with a score of 28.7.

In the USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under division a score 27.6 was good enough to lead for Emmeline Tinsley and her own RL Horus (Grafenstolz x Ramiros Untouchable) an 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

With four entries this weekend Jane Musselman has her work cut out for her. Already leading a Training division, she also moved into the lead of the USEA Novice Master Amateur division on her own Cayr Della Caccia (Canturo x Babelle) with a stunning test that scored 22.9.

Chris Talley leads the USEA Novice Horse division after the first phase on Home Track Farm’s HTF All Eyes On Me (HHS Comet x Douglas Cruise Line) a 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse with a score of 25.6.

Following the first phase, Kirsten Wood leads the Novice Rider division with Helen Farley’s Sophia Tharseo (Sophie) a 15-year-old Oldenburg mare (Scimitar x Smooth Sedona) on a score of 25.3.

In the Novice Amateur division, Hannah Resser danced into the lead with Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (October Fox x Abby Darling), a 12-year-old Morgan mare owned by Virginia Reeser on a 24.3

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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 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds will be held on Aug. 25-30 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. 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 Sponsors: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Gallaghers Water, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee; Silver Level Sponsors: Auburn Labs, Kerrits, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program, Rood & Riddle; Bronze Level Sponsors: 70°, Antech Diagnostics, Athletux, The Chronicle of the Horse, Devoucoux, D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis, Dubarry of Ireland, Equestrian Team Apparel, Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, John Deere, Retired Racehorse Project, Ride EquiSafe, Santa Cruz Animal Health; Contributing Level Sponsors: AnimaSol, CrossCountry App, Foxhollow Farm, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism, Kentucky Equine Research, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Lexmark, LV Harkness, Only Fools and Horses, #WeRideTogether, YETI; and Prize Level Sponsors: ARRO Helmets, The Dad Den, Dandy Products, Equiluxe Tack, Equine IMED, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, I Love My Horse Boutique, The Infused Equestrian, Love Equestrian, Majyk Equipe, Mare Modern Goods, Natalie Hummel Coaching, Neighborly Tack, Outlaw Nutrition, Parkmore Supplements, Peak Performance Equine Spa, Poseidon Animal Health, Rachel Dory Fine Art, Right Path Equestrian, Saddle Bird Boutique, Sidelines Magazine, Strides For Equality Equestrians, STRIDER, Stylish in the Saddle, VTO Saddlery, and XLR8 Equine.