United States Eventing Association

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 28—The six Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Championship divisions and three USEA Starter Championship divisions got their competition underway Friday, strutting their stuff between the white boards at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Ashley Anderson danced her way to the top of the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Amateur division on her own Global Jedi (Carlo Bank x Luke’s Fancy), an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse. They’ll lead after the first phase on a score of 25.9.

There wasn’t much breathing room between the top three scores in the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Junior 14 & Under Division, but ultimately Skylar Ragdale emerged victorious. Riding her own Finnegan’s Irish Dream (Pairadox Cassanova x Gaellant Quest), a 9-year-old Irish Draught Sport Horse, she’ll go into cross-country Saturday in the lead on 28.1.

Lauren Collett scored an impressive 26.6 to lead the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Junior Division on her own 12-year-old American Warmblood Cozywing (Charley Marquitas Mark x Jumped Defence).

Madeline Bletzacker and her own 18-year-old Hanoverian Drummer Boy (Don Principe x Winterzauber) are currently at the top of the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Rider Championship on a score of 27.7.

Kendra Moss leads the way after the first phase in the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Master Amateur division, scoring 27.3 on her own 10-year-old Hanoverian Presidential Nominee HU (Pikko Del Cerro HU x Noble Destiny HU).

In the Marshall+Sterling USEA Beginner Novice Horse Championship, Megan Correia-Bittner and Kimberly Ryan's 6-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Livello x Z-Carmel) Lamborghini took the top spot, scoring a 22.1.

The USEA Starter divisions also had their turn in the sandbox today, completing their first phase of the AEC.

In the USEA Starter Rider division Katrina Davis holds top spot on Paint Misbehavin'. Carla Lindsay’s 19-year-old American Paint scored a 23.9 to take forward to the cross country.

Kirsten Hiles and her own Beatrix SWF (Benidetto x Dorothee), an 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare, earned a 25.3 in the USEA Starter Amateur division to hold the lead heading into tomorrow's cross-country.

Shelton Repetto and Susan Repetto's 10-year-old Hanoverian gelding Accordingly (ES Florianus 2 x EM Conteah) scored a 25.8 to lead the USEA Starter Junior division.

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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.