United States Eventing Association

The countdown to the 2026 United States Eventing Association (USEA) American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds is on, and the tentative schedule is officially set! After a fantastic event at Galway Downs in 2025, the AEC returns to the iconic Kentucky Horse Park for what is set to be another record-breaking event. From Aug. 25-30, the AEC will be co-organized by Equestrian Events, Inc. and Mary Fike and will offer 27 divisions, including all levels of recognized eventing from Starter through the $60,000 Adequan USEA Advanced Final.

Entries for the 2026 AEC will open on Tuesday, July 14. The USEA anticipates significant interest in this year’s event, so it is strongly recommended that members enter on opening day. Entries will close on Tuesday, Aug. 11. As a reminder, you do not need to have complete qualifications to submit your entry to the event. The qualification window is open through Aug. 11, so members are encouraged to enter as soon as possible, including anyone that still has pending qualifications, as competitors will be accepted based on date of entry.

Both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete at, but they do not need to achieve their qualifications as a combination. Please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses to confirm your current eligibility. Full refunds, minus an office fee, will be provided for any entries without complete qualifications after August 11.

All entries must be submitted electronically with credit card payment through XEntry or EventEntries. This year, AEC entry fees will be $720 for Advanced, $660 for Intermediate, $610 for Preliminary and Modified, and $575 for Training, Novice, Beginner Novice, and Starter.

In addition to the individual championship divisions, the USEA Adult Team Championships (ATC) will also return to the AEC. ATC divisions will be offered for members of the USEA Adult Rider Program at the Starter, Beginner Novice, Novice, Training, and Modified levels. Adult Riders interested in participating in the ATC must submit the letter of intent linked here no later than Aug. 1, 2026. National and Area-specific requirements for competing in the ATC can be viewed here.

The 2026 USEA AEC omnibus page is now available, which includes the tentative schedule of events listed below. The general schedule will not be finalized until after Aug. 1. More information about parties hosted during the AEC and VIP Hospitality tickets will be available soon.

2026 AEC Tentative Schedule

Monday, August 24

3:00 p.m. - All cross-country courses open

Tuesday, August 25

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Dressage – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified

Wednesday, August 26

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Dressage – Advanced, Training
• Cross-Country – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified
• Welcome Reception in the KHP Big Barn

Thursday, August 27

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Dressage – Novice
• Cross-Country – Advanced, Training
• Show Jumping – Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified in Rolex Stadium
• Adult and Young Rider Parties
• Owner and Sponsor Reception

Friday, August 28

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Dressage – Beginner Novice, Starter
• Cross-Country – Novice
• Show Jumping – Advanced, Training in Rolex Stadium
• Competitor Party in the VIP Hospitality Tent on Rolex Way

Saturday, August 29

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Cross-Country – Beginner Novice, Starter
• Show Jumping – Novice in Rolex Stadium

Sunday, August 30

• VIP Hospitality (Breakfast, lunch, cash bar) open on Rolex Way
• AEC Sponsor Vendor Village open at Jay Trump Drive
• Show Jumping – Beginner Novice, Starter in Rolex Stadium

Stabling

Stabling at the Kentucky Horse Park will be available for $350 per stall for use from Monday, Aug. 25 at 12:00 P.M. to Monday, Aug. 31 at 7:00 A.M. A $75 layover fee will be charged after 8:00 A.M. Tack stalls are also available for $350/stall on a first come, first paid basis due to the high anticipated entries. Tack stalls must be assigned to one entry for payment purposes, but the entire group that is sharing a single tack stall must be listed on entry.

All stabling requests must be submitted using the stabling form linked here. For groups, please list one common name for the entire group on all forms to ensure correct placement. Any additions or changes to your stabling requests must be made by closing date on Aug. 11. Changes after closing date will be accessed a $50 per change fee and will only be made if possible. Please direct all stabling questions and concerns to the AEC Stable Manager at [email protected].

If you would like to pre-order shavings, feed or hay, rent stall mats, reserve paddocks or secure a golf cart for use during the event, please order in advance through Dever, Inc. at deverrentals.com or call 1-859-233-9702.

Accommodations

If you plan to travel via RV or want to camp at the Kentucky Horse Park, please call the Campgrounds to secure your reservation at 859-259-4257 and select option 2 to book with Dawn Walker. RV sites cannot be booked through the event secretary or organizers. For more local accommodation options, consider checking AirBnB or VRBO.

As a reminder, both horse and rider must be qualified for the AEC at the level they wish to compete in. For more information, please visit the AEC qualification page, and view the lists of Qualified Riders and Qualified Horses.

The USEA looks forward to seeing everyone in Kentucky! Stay tuned to the USEA website for more event updates and details, and don’t forget to respond “going” on the 2026 AEC Facebook event page. For general questions about the AEC, please contact Kate Lokey.

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 through 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 August 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 Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, Gallagher’s Water, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, Standlee; and more!

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, The Chronicle of the Horse, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher’s Water, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Nutrena Feeds, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, and SmartPak for sponsoring the Adult Team Championships.