AEC Program

2026 USEA AMERICAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 10 WELCOME FROM THE AEC CO-ORGANIZERS On behalf of EEI Board of Directors and Mary Fike, Co-organizer, we welcome you to the 22nd running of the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Nutrena Feeds! Congratulations to all the riders who were successful in qualifying for this prestigious event. We are delighted to have you with us in beautiful Lexington! EEI is honored to once again host the USEA American Eventing Championships at the Kentucky Horse Park. This incredible venue, combined with the dedication of our Area VIII eventing community, provides an outstanding setting for riders, owners, families, and supporters to celebrate the sport of eventing. None of this would be possible without our exceptional volunteers, officials, sponsors, and staff, whose commitment and enthusiasm help create a first-class championship experience for everyone. Since opening in 1978, the Kentucky Horse Park has celebrated the unique partnership between horses and people while welcoming more than one million visitors each year. The Park is home to countless equestrian competitions and events, including the Kentucky Three-Day Event, one of only seven CCI5*-L competitions in the world. Owned and operated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Kentucky Horse Park is truly one of the finest equestrian facilities anywhere. This year marks the fifth year of hosting the USEA AEC. Your host city of Lexington, Kentucky, known as the "Horse Capital of the World", offers countless opportunities to explore during your stay. From world-famous horse farms and bourbon distilleries to historic sites, outstanding restaurants, and a vibrant downtown, there is something for everyone. Just minutes from the Horse Park, Georgetown provides a charming Victorian-era downtown featuring unique shops, local restaurants, art galleries, and more than two hundred buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whether this is your first USEA AEC or you are returning once again, we hope you enjoy every moment of your week in Kentucky. Best of luck to all competitors and thank you for being part of this outstanding celebration of our sport. We wish you a successful championship and hope to welcome you back to the Kentucky Horse Park in 2027. Sincerely Vanessa Coleman CEO, Equestrian Events, Inc. AEC Co-Organizer Mary Fike Kentucky Classique AEC Co-Organizer

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