United States Eventing Association

Fast Facts: 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships

The 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover and Nutrena kicks off tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. sharp, beginning with the dressage phase for Training and Preliminary riders. Held annually, the AEC draws competitors from across the country to vie for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. The Advanced division at the AEC also serves as the 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Final. The AEC is again being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C.

• There will be over 760 starters competing at this year’s AEC, up from last year’s record 665 starters. Over 830 total entries were received.
• Preliminary Rider is the smallest division with 15 combinations.
• Junior Novice is the largest division and will see 60 horses and riders.
• Cross-country courses for all levels are designed by Captain Mark Phillips
• Chris Barnard is the show jumping course designer.
• The Master Amateur divisions are back this year for Beginner Novice and Novice, for competitors aged 40 and over.
• New this year are the Rider divisions for Beginner Novice through Preliminary Level. This division provides the opportunity for adult riders who cannot declare amateur status to compete in a division other than the Horse division at their respective level.
• More than 2,350 bags of shavings have been delivered to stalls before the start of competition.
• There are 35 generous sponsors supporting the 2017 USEA AEC. Of those sponsors, 21 are in attendance this weekend, plus all of the TIEC vendors, all who will be located on Vendor Row between the George Morris arena and Arenas 1-4. Please go support the sponsors who support your event!
• Five horses arrived early at the Tryon International Equestrian Center after being evacuated from Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
• Advanced cross-country will run on the White Oak property, which was previously a golf course. The 2018 World Equestrian Games will run over the same track next year.
• 300 volunteers are donating their time and energy to make this event happen. Be sure to thank a volunteer this weekend, because none of this would be possible without them!
• There are so many exciting events in store for all the attendees at the 2017 USEA AEC, from the welcome reception on Wednesday and Gladiator Polo and Competitor Party on Friday night! Click here to check out more information on all the events.
• General admission to the AEC is free for spectators, and tickets for the events taking place throughout the weekend can be purchased by clicking here.

Helpful Links

• USEA Website
• Tryon International Equestrian Center Website
• 2017 USEA AEC Schedule
• Ride Times
• Stabling Assignments
• Live Scores
• Live Streaming

Follow the USEA event coverage on social media!

#AEC17 | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat: @USeventing

Show Office Hours

Monday – 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday-Thursday – 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday-Sunday – 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

USEA Virtual Event College Schedule

The Virtual Event College is a special series designed to educate competitors as well as the general public about the sport of eventing. Get hands-on information about grooming, learn the best way to walk cross-country, and understand the some of the best options for caring for your horse’s health, all from the best professionals in the country! “Tuition” for the Event College is FREE and episodes can be accessed online at www.useventing.com. All are welcome to tune in throughout the weekend to learn more about eventing!

About the Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series

The 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series features 11 qualifying competitions throughout the United States at the Advanced horse trials and CIC3* levels. Qualifying began last fall and continues through August with the final taking place at the USEA American Eventing Championships, August 30 – September 3 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. Riders who complete a qualifier earn the chance to vie for $40,000 in prize money and thousands of dollars in prizes in the Adequan Advanced Division and to earn the Title of Adequan USEA Gold Cup Champion.

The 2017 Adequan USEA Gold Cup Series is made possible through the support of its many loyal sponsors: Adequan, Standlee Forage, Nutrena, Merck Animal Health, Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency and FITS.