Novice Riders Take on Cross-Country at the #AEC2026
Lexington, Ky.—Aug. 28—Six Novice divisions got the chance to gallop around Jay Hambly's cross-country track today at the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds (AEC). They'll get the chance to show jump tomorrow in the Rolex Stadium to wrap up their competition. Check out who's leading below!
The top three after the first phase in the USEA Novice Junior Championship all jumped clean and fast across country early Friday morning, to retain their podium positions. Accordingly Elliot Bizjack will be the last rider to enter the Rolex Stadium in her division Saturday to jump for the Championship title on Rachael Schindler’s N’Pressive (Next Level GHJ x Lamosi GGHF), a 14-year-old Haflinger gelding.
Likewise, in the USEA Novice Junior 15 & Under Championship, dressage leaders were all faultless and fast over Friday morning’s cross-country track and will keep their podium spots heading into the final phase. Emmeline Tinsley is the current leader on her own RL Horus (Grafenstolz x Ramiros Untouchable), an 8-year-old Belgian Warmblood.
The dressage leaders in the USEA Novice Rider Championship made light work of the cross country course, adding nothing to their overnight scores. Kristen Wood will retain her lead going into the show-jumping Saturday on her score of 25.3. Riding Helen Farley’s Sophia Tharseo (Sophie), a 15-year-old Oldenburg mare (Scimitar x Smooth Sedona), she will not have a rail in hand over her next five competitors.
In the Novice Amateur Championship, Hannah Reeser and Virginia Reeser's 12-year-old Morgan mare Ltl Ireland Summr Soldier (October Fox x Abby Darling) maintained their lead on a score of 24.3.
In the Novice Master Amateur Championship, Jane Musselman and Cayr Della Caccia, her own 18-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Canturo x Babelle) are still leading on an impressive score of 24.5.
In the Novice Horse Championship, Chris Talley and Home Track Farm's HTF 5-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (HHS Cornet x Douglas Cruise Line) had a strong round to stay on top of the leaderboard on a score of 25.6.
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- USEA AEC Website
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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
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