Posted May 29, 2006

2006 American Eventing Championships

Mark your calendars! Put in for vacation at the office! Get on mapquest and plot your route! It's less than four months and counting to the 2006 American Eventing Championships and you absolutely do not want to miss the third running of the USEA's national championships and "Festival of Eventing" to be held at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina, September 20-24.

With two years under their belts, the Carolina Horse Park and the USEA promise a spectacular event, including more than $50,000 in prize money and an expected $100,000 in prizes. Of the top prizes already secured, competitors can expect: Amerigo saddles, Bit of Britain gift certificates, Saratoga Horseworks coolers and gift certificates, Charles Owen helmets, Adequan, Likit Products gift packages, Maui Jim Sunglasses, APF from Auburn Laboratories, Fleeceworks saddle pads, Spalding Labs gift certificates, UlcerGard, and specially produced Mountain Horse jackets displaying the AEC logo. Our thanks to all the companies that are providing these quality products.

If all that loot doesn't convince you to make the trip, consider the course walks with top riders, as well as a list of seminars and hands-on demonstrations. In addition, the wildly popular AEC Dog Show will be back for a second year, with some typical (and not-so-typical) classes, including Best Vocal Performance, Terrific Pet Tricks, Best Costume, Most Mysterious Heritage, and Top Treat Catcher. Start putting your pooch through his paces now so you can dazzle the judges in September.

The AEC Raffle is another return favorite for 2006, with a Pessoa saddle from English Riding Supply as the grand prize. In addition, an on-line, silent auction is in the works, to benefit the AEC. Check the AEC page on the USEA website for updates on both these projects as the event draws closer.

allison_springer_pharo.jpgBack to the horses … last year rider support came from every level, with the competitor list boasting a half dozen past Olympians and former World and Pan American champions, as well as hundreds of juniors and adult amateurs. So plan to walk the courses, stable your horses, and dance the night away side-by-side with your idols, while at the same time forging friendships with competitors from around the country.

"The AEC is a great showcase competition for our sport," said Robert Costello, a former Olympian who finished second last year in the Open Intermediate division with Wild Delight. "It brings everyone together from the grass roots right on up to the top. This year I will have either horses or students in every level from beginner novice to advanced. I'm really looking forward to another exciting, first-class competition at the Carolina Horse Park."

Another former Olympian, Stephen Bradley of Leesburg, Virginia, didn't make it to North Carolina for the inaugural event, but made up for lost time at the 2005 event, finishing fourth in the Advanced division with his 2004 Olympic short listed partner Brandenburg's Joshua, and second in the Training Horse division with The English Patient. "I loved it," he said. "I thought it was amazing. Down to every detail it was extremely well run. To have that many horses and riders, and that many divisions in one place at one time, the Carolina Horse Park did a fantastic job."

Will he be making a return appearance? "Absolutely. With every horse that's qualified. I'm also encouraging all of my students who are qualified to go."

From start to finish, the AEC is like no other event in the country," according to D.C. McBroom of Floyd, Virginia, an Adult Amateur who finished fourth last year in the Open Novice division with Due South, and won the inaugural novice division in 2004 with Woodbine. "As soon as you step on grounds, you can feel the excitement. Knowing that every horse and rider there had to meet certain qualifications before they can participate adds so much to the experience. Then there are the parties, educational activities, and other festivities that aren't normally a part of the events we routinely attend each weekend. Bring all of this together and the result is an experience that should not be missed."

The AEC brings together some of the top horses and riders at every level, from every part of the country, to test their mettle and celebrate the sport. Prize money is distributed throughout the levels, with every attempt made to equally recognize the achievements of all the membership. "The amateur population is really excited about the AEC, especially at novice and training," said Maria Brazil of Pacific, Missouri, winner of last year's Open Training division with Gadget des Brumes. "It's their Olympics. That's how they see it. It's the biggest thing most amateurs will ever win."

For the first year the AEC will include a Beginner Novice division. This is a test run and will be a single division, limited in the following way: neither horse nor rider can have competed higher than novice during the qualifying period; and if they have competed at novice, it can be no more than five times during the qualifying period. Regarding qualifying performances, both horse and rider must have achieved two finishes in the top three, or finished in the top five at an Area championship, not necessarily as a combination. Qualifying results are only valid with no more than 20 jumping penalties in the cross-country phase. The horses must be registered and the riders USEA members (with competition privileges), at the time of qualifying and when competing at the AEC. $1,000 in prize money will be awarded, in addition to a tack trunk full of prizes, including a Stackhouse saddle, worth approximately $4,500. As this is a trial run, turnout is crucial in order to continue it beyond 2006.

Brazil hopes that the AEC will maintain a focus on the amateur rider, especially at the lower levels, mentioning the reaction she got from other amateur eventers when they saw the full page photo of her that appeared in

Eventing USA, taken after she crossed the show jumping finish line, whip raised in celebration. "I became a bit of a celebrity," she said with a laugh. "To make the drive and spend the money to go, they [amateur riders] want to feel they have a real chance to win. They want the same fame I had."

She'll be back this September, with an eye on preliminary. "I loved it! Of course I'm going back again this year."

Don't forget the ultimate reason for attending the AEC—testing your partnership with your horse against some of the finest in the nation, galloping on some of the best footing over decidedly championship courses, and hopefully getting the chance to take a proper victory gallop. When you look at it that way, the prizes, purse money, and parties are really just icing on the cake.

To see if you've qualified, visit the AEC page on the USEA website, for qualified riders & for qualified horses. If you haven't yet made the cut, don't worry. You've got until August 21 to achieve your qualifying score(s). All qualified competitors who enter the event by the closing date will be accepted.

Fuel prices are a constant concern for all Americans these days, especially for those looking to haul a horse across town, or even worse, across the country. If you have an open spot in your trailer, or are looking to hitch a ride with someone who does, visit the USEA website's Communities section (in the Members Only area, which can be reached by going to Member Services Login at the top of the home page and following the log-in directions from there). In addition, a page is being set up on the AEC section of the website to help link those who have a ride with those looking for one. If you are looking for a ride, or would like to offer one, please email your name, city/state, and email address to Amy@useventing.com. Your information (minus your last name) will be listed on the website to help in your search. If you do not want your first name and email address listed on the website, please do not participate in this project.

Bookmark the AEC page so you can check back often for updates on ride sharing, prizes, sponsors, and seminars.

And please remember to support our AEC Presenting Sponsors: Amerigo, Bit of Britain, Nutrena, and Saratoga Horseworks; and Contributing Sponsors: Adequan, Cover-All Building Systems, and UlcerGard.

For anyone who would like to attend the AEC as a spectator, various VIP packages are available on the AEC section of the USEA website. For those who cannot make it to the competition, but who would like to support the event, tax-deductible donations, made payable to USEA, Inc., can be sent to Amy Daum, 525 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176—please write AEC clearly in the memo section of the check.