United States Eventing Association

Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 25—The 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC) is officially underway! Seven divisions completed their dressage tests Tuesday under technicolor blue skies and bright sunshine.

Jordan Duffett has taken control of the Bates USEA Preliminary Amateur Championship at this early stage; riding her own 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding Charlie il Postino (Indoctro x Call My Kyrah) they were the only combination in this division to crack the 30 barrier, and with a score of 26.1 they’ll enjoy a comfortable lead going into the cross-country Wednesday.

The Bates USEA Preliminary Rider Championship has a French flavor Tuesday night: Shelby Bradley and her 14-year-old Selle Français gray gelding, Commando D’Osthuy (Ogano Sitte x Up Star D’Osthuy) have danced their way to the top of the leaderboard with a score of 28.5.

Local rider Allie Knowles has four horses competing this weekend and leads the Bates USEA Preliminary Open Championship after the first phase on Katherine O’Brien’s 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood Tip Top Quality (For Pleasure x Pistache Quality) on a score of 26.9.

A small but select group of just nine combinations will contest the Standlee USEA Modified Open Championship. A score of 28.5 sees Kimmy Cecere on top of the day 1 leaderboard with Jacqueline Mars’ Conquistador XC Z (Casallo Z x Fidelity VD), a 7-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding.

Pretty in pink, Charlotte Collier leads the way in the Standlee USEA Modified Amateur Championship. Partnered with her own Loughtown Cici ZA (CC Captain Clover x Castlelawn Diamond Clover) a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse, they scored 26.7 between the white boards.

Abigail Walker and her own 13-year-old Irish Sport horse gelding The Optimist (Natal x ARD Golden Girl) sailed to the first day lead in the Standlee USEA Modified Rider Championship with a score of 29.2.

No less than 50 horse/rider combinations in the USEA Intermediate Open Championships meant a long day in the sand box for judges Bea Di Grazia (C) and Julie Congleton (B). Once it was over, it was Meg Pellegrini and her own impressive 13-year-old Zangersheide gelding Falcon Crown Z (Farfelu De Muze x Lovely Lady) in the driver’s seat of a scoreboard that reads like a "Who’s who" of U.S. eventing. They scored a 24.2.

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• USEA AEC Website
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• Cross-Country Maps
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• AEC Digital Event Program
• AEC Fast Facts
• $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final Roster
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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.

About the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final

The $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will take place at the 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Aug. 26-28. Thanks to Adequan’s amazing support, the Adequan® USEA Advanced Final will bring together the country’s top riders to vie for $60,000 in prize money and the title of Adequan® Champion. To qualify for the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final at the AEC in 2026, competitors will need to complete a minimum of two events without cross-country jump penalties at any USEA recognized Advanced horse trials, CCI4*-S, CCI4*-L , CCI5*-L, World Championships, or Olympic Games. Click here to learn more about the $60,000 Adequan® USEA Advanced Final.

About the Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships

The Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championships, which debuted in 2014, is the capstone event for the USEA Area Adult Team Challenges, providing adults the chance to compete as a team and represent their Area of the country in a friendly and fun environment. Historically, adult riders had three regional Team Challenges in which to compete with fellow adults in a team environment, with the locations changing each year. In 2013, the USEA Adult Rider Coordinators voted to move to support Adult Team Challenges taking place in all 10 Areas across the country, with the finale being the ATC at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds. Each Area can send up to nine teams and 39 riders for the BN, N, T, and M levels, plus an additional eight members if they are at the Starter level only. Adult Riders know how to have a good time, and there is no doubt that they bring an increased level of excitement and camaraderie to the AEC! Click here to learn more about the USEA Adult Team Championships. The USEA would like to thank ATC Title Sponsor, Adams Horse Supply, and contributing sponsors ARMA, Bates Saddles, The Chronicle of the Horse, FarmVet, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, SmartPak, and Santa Cruz Animal Health for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.