United States Eventing Association

USEA Offering Open Modified Division at 2020 AEC

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) Board of Governors previously authorized a full Modified level to be offered at the 2020 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds. The intent was to help create interest in the new level for competitors and AEC qualifying competitions. Since that decision, the organizing team has been working to install a full Modified course at the AEC in 2020. Initially the focus was to create a Modified Rider division, and then to expand the division offerings in future years as more qualifying competitions were made available across the country. However, the USEA has been receiving a substantial number of requests to open up the Modified level at the 2020 AEC.

The USEA Executive Committee met last week and voted to approve the requests, and the 2020 AEC will now offer an Open Modified Championship. This division will now offer opportunities to more horses and riders, and the USEA still plans to offer special awards in the Open Modified division to recognize the top Modified Rider, Junior, and Adult Amateur.

The new qualification criteria for the 2020 Open Modified Championship at the AEC is as follows:

Open to any horse and rider, not necessarily as a combination, who have qualified under the AEC Modified qualification criteria.

Qualifying Results (QR)

• 1st or 2nd in any USEA recognized Modified Horse Trials
• OR 3rd in two USEA recognized Modified Horse Trials
• OR 1st through 5th in any USEA Modified Area Championship
• OR 1st to 5th in any CCI1*-S/L

Further to the above QR, horse and rider must have completed a total of three USEA recognized horse trials (H.T.) during the qualifying period. The placing requirements as noted above are included in the total of three competitions. Once the placing QRs have been met, the additional H.T.s required may be at the Preliminary level or above.

The top Modified Junior award will be given to the highest placed rider in the Open Modified division at the 2020 AEC who is between the ages of 14-18 in accordance with the USEF Rules for Eventing EV104.2.

The top Modified Rider award will be given to the highest placed 2020 AEC Modified rider who has not completed competitions at the FEI two-star (2018 one-star), Intermediate, or higher levels in the five years preceding the start of competition.

The top Modified Adult Amateur award will be given to the highest placed 2020 AEC Modified rider who has declared amateur status per the USEF Rules for Eventing EV Appendix 3 1.3 and USEF GR1306.

To view the qualification criteria for all AEC levels, click here. If you missed the announcement regarding the new qualification period, read the article here.

Qualified Riders | Qualified Horses

For any questions, 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 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.