AEC Program

2026 USEA AMERICAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 6 WELCOME FROM THE USEA Welcome to the USEA American Eventing Championships presented by Nutrena Feeds! On behalf of the United States Eventing Association, we are delighted to welcome you to the Kentucky Horse Park for this year's AEC. There are few places in our country that are more closely associated with equestrian sport, and it is particularly fitting that eventers from across the nation have come together here to celebrate the very best of our sport. We are especially pleased to host the AEC in partnership with Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI) and Mary Fike. For decades, EEI and Mary Fike have played an important role in showcasing eventing at the highest level and in establishing the Kentucky Horse Park as one of the world's great venues for equestrian competition. We are grateful for their partnership, expertise, and shared commitment to creating an exceptional championship experience for our competitors, owners, families, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and spectators. The AEC is unlike any other event on the USEA calendar. Riders of different ages and backgrounds, competing at different levels and pursuing very different goals, all arrive here having earned the opportunity to represent themselves, their horses, and their eventing communities on a national stage. Whether this is your first AEC or one of many, qualifying and making the journey to Kentucky is an accomplishment in itself. Of course, none of this would be possible without the extraordinary people behind the scenes. Our volunteers give generously of their time and talents, our officials and organizers work tirelessly to provide fair and safe competition, and countless family members, friends, coaches, grooms, owners, and supporters help our competitors reach this moment. To each of you: thank you. This championship belongs to you as well. We are also tremendously grateful to Nutrena Feeds, our presenting sponsor, and to all the USEA partners and sponsors whose support makes the AEC possible. Their investment extends well beyond this week of competition. It supports the programs, education, safety initiatives, and opportunities that strengthen eventing throughout the year and across the country. Most importantly, this week is about our horses. They are the reason why we are here. The partnership between horse and rider is at the heart of eventing, and the horsemanship, perseverance, trust, and respect required to develop that partnership are among the qualities that make our sport so special.

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