Training Wrap-Up and Upper-Level Cross-Country at the AEC
By Amber
Heintzberger - September 17, 2005
Cross-country for Preliminary through Advanced took
place today at the American Eventing Championships
at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC. John
Williams’ course proved influential at all levels.
The AEC is the premier championship for riders at
all levels from across the United States, offering
$50,000 prize money and over $75,000 in prizes.
Missouri rider Maria Brazil’s nerves took over on
her Preliminary ride with Lottery Ticket and she
retired after a stop at the water jump, but she
overcame her anxiety to ride a flawless round and
win the Open Training Championship on her Selle
Francais gelding Gadget des Brume (33.50).
19-year-old Nicole Kemerling, a student at the
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, placed
second (33.9) riding Fiddlestix. Adrienne Classen on
Rafferty’s Rules moved up from fifth place to finish
third (3), and Amy Magee, riding Aspen’s Black
Diamond, finished fourth (36.3) riding sidesaddle
through the entire event.
Having overcome a series of difficulties in the past
several years, Magee was the recipient of the
Exquisite Equestrian Award, given to the rider who
overcame adversity in the journey to the AEC.
The Junior/Young Rider champion, Jessica Borchers,
finished on her dressage score (30.3) riding
WIndover, a horse that she has only been riding for
three months. A student of David and Karen O’Connor,
Borchers spent the summer riding and training in
Virginia, but tomorrow returns to her hometown of
Ft. Collins, Colorado, where she will go back to her
high school to attend classes.
“After we qualified for the AEC and everything was
going well, I decided this would be a good goal,”
said Borchers. “I’ll definitely come back, I just
don’t know when.”
Morgan Schank of Spokane, Washington,.riding Ryley,
moved up from fourth place to finish second in the
Junior/Young Rider division. Like Borchers, Ryley
has spent the summer training on the East Coast, but
she plans to stay for a few months more. She started
the event in tenth place on a score of 37.3 and
finished the entire competition on her dressage
score. “It took the pressure off,” said Schank.
“It’s always easier to chase than to lead.”
In the Training Horse division, Karen O’Connor and
Mandiba stayed in first place on their dressage
score of 27.3. Stephen Bradley on The English
Patient stayed in second place (29.3), but Nanci
Lindroth and Running Rebel, who were tied with
Bradley, were eliminated when they went off course.
Kristin Schmolze and Glen Emeril moved into third
place (30.5), followed by Mark Weissbecker on Tatham
(31.5). Weissbecker is also in the lead in the
Preliminary Horse Championship riding Top Gallant
(31.3), followed by Karen O’Connor on Mr. Ripley
(31.5) and Michael Pollard on Voltaire (31.8).
Show of Heart and Caroline Teich held on to their
lead in the Preliminary Junior Championship (33.5),
followed by Diana Brown on One 2 One (35.3) who
moved up when Lauren Sappenfield on Derrik moved to
fifth place when they added time penalties to their
score. Paige Hewlitt and Steely Dan are in third
(37.5).
Allison Kelly-Coates and Irish Cavalier lead on in
the Open Preliminary Championship (30.5) followed by
Doug Payne on Cornerhouse (31.2) and Nate Chambers
on Rolling Stone II (32.). Chambers won individual
and team gold medals at this year’s North American
Young Riders Championship at the preliminary level.
In the Intermediate Championship, overnight leader
Carol Kozlowski withdrew from the event and headed
home this morning after coming down with
mononucleosis. Jessica Kiener on My Boy Bobby moved
into the lead, adding 0.40 time penalties to finish
the day on 32.90. RobertCostello on Wild Delight
moved from fifth to second place (38.70), followed
by Stuart Black on Fleeceworks Pacific Storm
(39.90).
Corinne Ashton led the Advanced Championship after
dressage (24.8), but a run-out at the narrow
toothbrush in the second water jump on cross-country
dropped her to seventeenth place (60.80). Will
Faudree and Antigua took the opportunity to claim
the lead on their dressage score of 26.3, followed
Karen O’Connor and Upstage (39) and Jonathan Holling
and Lion King (39.4).
At this evening’s competitor’s party, a silent
auction will be held to benefit the US Equestrian
Federation Hurricane Equine Relief Fund.
The event wraps up tomorrow with show jumping at the
preliminary, intermediate and advanced levels. Tune
in at
www.useventing.com for live audio streaming
from the announcer here at the AEC.
Raeford, NC -
The big guns entered the ring today as preliminary,
intermediate and advanced dressage got underway at the
American Eventing Championships at the Carolina Horse Park in
Raeford, NC. Training level cross-country took place as the
three novice championships wrapped up with stadium jumping.
Susan
Moessner of Ann Arbor, MI earned the title of Open Novice
Champion riding her fourth-generation homebred, Satin Dust.
Moessner took the lead from the start and held on to it by
finishing on her dressage score of 23.0. “She’s a very good
dressage horse,” said Moessner. “She’s consistent and
obedient and she has a lot of presence.”
Andria Allen,
46, riding Confabulate, from Longmont, CO took second in the
Open Novice Championship on a final score of 24.0, followed by
Karen Mahaffey on Westmoreland (30).
In the Novice
Horse division, Allison Springer of Castleton, VA won on
Pharoah’s Tale (30.50) and placed fourth on Folk Lore (32.8).
Second and third places went to Robert Stevenson of Southern
Pines, NC riding Happy (31) and Icewine (31.8), respectively.
Junior novice
was won by Kathryn Bell, of Mobile, AL who had a stellar
performance on her Connemara cross Snowy. Paige Juliette
Garson and her Welsh cross Hillcrest’s McGyver placed second
(34.5) and Aryn Coon on Cricket placed third (35.).
Competition was tough right down to the last minute. Bryttany
Buenger on Uptown Girl led on their dressage score into show
jumping, but four rails down in the final phase dropped them
to eighth place.
Preliminary
through advanced competed in dressage today. In advanced,
Corrinne Ashton and Dobbin are in the lead (24.5) followed by
Will Faudree and Antigua (26.3). Mark Weissbecker and Swayne
are chasing them with 28.9.
In the
intermediate, Carol Kozlowski and Nordic Sparrow Hawk lead on
32.3 with Jessica Kiener and My Boy Bobby leaving them no
breathing room on a score of 32.5. Lucia Strini scored 33.3
on Addis Abba to stand in third going into tomorrow’s
cross-country.
Allison
Springer and Arthur are aiming at another win, taking the
early lead in the Preliminary Horse Championship (30). Michael
Pollard and Voltaire are in second (31) and Mark Weissbecker
on Top Gallant are in third (31.3).
Cassidy
Lundmark and What’s Shakin scored 28.5 to lead open
preliminary and Megan Correia Bittner on Anyway trail slightly
with 29.3 as Elizabeth Ricklefs and Snap Decision hover in
third (30), tied with Doug Payne on Cornerhouse.
Training
level started cross-country today and the top placings in the
Open Training Championships changed significantly when the top
two riders were eliminated on cross-country. This opened the
door for Maria Brazil on Gadget Des Blume to move up into the
lead, followed by Pat Winter on Crosswind, who moved up from
sixth after dressage, and Nicole Kemerling on Fiddlestix, who
stayed in third place with .04 time penalties added to her
score.
In junior
training, Jessica Borchers and Windover lead on their dressage
score of 30.3. Kelsey Briggs and Aladdin’s Treasure moved up
to second from fifth place (33.1) to stand in second, followed
by Hillary Irwin on Shanaki (33.7).
In training
horse, Karen O'Connor Mandiba are winning on their dressage
score of 27.3 while Nanci Lindroth on Running Rebel and
Stephen Bradley on The English Patient are tied for second
(29.3) and Kristin Schmolze on Glen Emeril are in fourth
(30.5).
Tomorrow the
action continues with upper-level riders taking on John
Williams’ cross-country course and the three divisions of
training level finishing up with stadium jumping.
The
American Eventing Championships at the Carolina Horse Park in
Raeford, North Carolina entered their second day today with
novice level cross-country and training level dressage.
The Open
Training Championships are led by Ohio rider Victoria Frey on
Along About Daybreak (31.5). Susan Reynolds and Dominick are in
second, and third place is a three-way tie between Nicole
Kemerling on Fiddlestix, Maria Brazil on Gadget des Blume, and
Jennifer Strauss on Another Fable (33.5).
In the Training Horse division,
veteran rider Karen O’Connor of The Plains, Virginia is in the
lead on Mandiba (27.3), followed by Nanci Lindroth of Vass, NC
on Running Rebel in second (28.5) and Stephen Bradley in third
with The English Patient (29.3). An impressive lineup of young
horses competed in this division.
In the Junior/Young Rider Training
section, Krissy Smith leads with 27.3 on April Sonnett followed
by Jessica Borchers on Windover and Danielle Quinn on Charmant
Magister in a tie for second with 30.3. Hillary Irwin and
Shanaki are in third (31.3).
In the second day of Novice
competition, horses and riders tackled Olympic rider John
Williams’ cross-country course. There were a few falls and
eliminations but no major mishaps, and the leaders in all three
divisions of novice managed to hang on to the lead with clean
rounds.
The AEC is
being held at the 250-acre Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North
Carolina near the golfing and equestrian communities of Southern
Pines and Pinehurst. With $50,000 in prize money and more than
$75,000 in prizes offered, the championships have attracted more
than 400 riders from all corners of the USA.
The AEC
also offers various opportunities for both competitors and
non-competitors. Seminars were held today in cross-country
course building with Dan Starck, horse friendly barn design with
Holly Matt, sport horse injuries with Dr. Jim Hassinger, and
show jumping course design with Richard Jeffery.
Listeners can tune in to live audio
streaming of the AEC announcer’s commentary via a link at
www.useventingnews.com, courtesy of Emily Curtis and Great
Equine Ventures of Upperville, Virginia.
All signs of Hurricane Ophelia have
disappeared and the day was hot and sunny with not a cloud in
the sky. The competition continues tomorrow with novice show
jumping, training cross-country and preliminary dressage.
The second
annual American Eventing Championships and Festival of Eventing
are underway at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North
Carolina, and will run through Sunday, September 18. The
Championships are presented by Amerigo, Bit of Britain, Dry Nest
Bedding, and Nutrena Feeds, who with a long list of additional
sponsors helped to make possible the combined purse of $50,000
prize money and over $75,000 in prizes.
The five
championship divisions from the novice through advanced levels
have attracted competitors from all around the United States.
Seminars, lectures, trade fair, and a fun dog show Saturday
afternoon at 1 p.m. are a few other attractions that competitors
and spectators alike can enjoy--with
no admission or parking fees. Additionally, spectators
today were treated to a U.S. Eventing Team training session with
six-time Olympic dressage rider Robert Dover.
While
Hurricane Ophelia caused some concern as it swept up the North
Carolina coast today, weather remained calm with just a few short
showers at the event, which is well inland.
In the lead
in the Open Novice Championship is 42-year-old Susan Moessner of
Ann Arbor, Michigan riding Satin Dust, a six-year-old
Thoroughbred/Clydesdale mare that Moessner bred, raised and
trained herself.
“Her dam,
Epic Satin, was a fabulous horse,” she said. “She spent two years
on the USEA Top Ten Mare’s list and on the USEA developing list.
Dusty has her dam’s wonderful kind attitude, trainability and
athleticism.”
Moessner has
endured a long series of setbacks in the past few years, including
a broken leg, lame horses, and her barn nearly burning down. “I
was hoping to participate at the training or preliminary level
this year, but it wasn’t meant to be. I debated participating at
the novice level again, but I love the event and think it will be
a great, challenging course for Dusty before moving her to
training level again.”
Close behind
is 46-year-old Andria Allen of Longmont, Colorado riding
Confabulate, on a score of 24, giving her a 4.8 point lead over
Amanda Teague on Wildwyche Huckleberry, in third with 28.8. With
55 entries in the division, competition is stiff for the $5,000
prize money that will go to the overall winner.
In the
Novice Horse Championship Allison Springer on Pharaoh’s Tale leads
with 30.5, followed by Robert Stevenson on Happy (31) in second.
Stevenson is also tied for third place riding Icewine on a score
of 31.8, with Katie Wherley and My Beau Forever.
In the
Novice Rider Championship Bryttany Buenger on Uptown Girl are in
the lead on 27.0, followed by Kara Santmeyer on At Liberty (29) in
second and Katherine Bell on Snowy (31.5) in third.
The Carolina
Horse Park is located near the communities of Southern Pines and
Pinehurst, North Carolina, favorites among the equestrian and golf
communities. Pinehurst is home to the Golf Hall of Fame, and
Southern Pines is a popular training destination for equestrians
in many disciplines. The Horse Park is located on 250 acres
approximately 12 miles south of Southern Pines, and includes vast
flat fields with sandy footing, ponds and forest, and
cross-country courses from beginner novice to advanced level.
Novice
dressage is completed, and tomorrow training level dressage and
novice cross-country will take place concurrently.
For more
information on the American Eventing Championships, visit
www.useventing.com and
click on the AEC logo on the homepage.
If you are
not attending the AEC, but plan to order AEC raffle tickets in
advance, the deadline for orders is Thursday, September 15 at 5 p.m.
Everyone at the AEC is free to order right up until the drawing at
noon on Sunday, September 18.
Considering the
recent devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina, the USEA has
opted to contribute half of the proceeds from the AEC Raffle to the
Red Cross to be used for the hurricane disaster relief efforts.
There will be
two names picked for the raffle. The first will win a gorgeous
5A/Baker and Company duffel bag full of loot worth more than $2,500
(see below for the list). The second person goes home with a Pessoa
Legacy Blyth Tait saddle worth almost $2,000 from English Riding
Supply (ERS), the sponsor for the first annual AEC raffle.
The Pessoa
Legacy Blyth Tait saddle is one of the fantastic trio of saddles
that ERS offers to eventers. The Blyth Tait saddle comes in Chamont
French leather with the forward flap for cross-country and a wider,
more supportive seat. The other saddles in the eventing trio are the
Pessoa XL and the Anky XL. All three saddles can be seen and tried
out at the Equestrian Collections Booth at the AEC. A professional
saddle fitter from ERS will be available to provide assistance. All
of these fine saddles are available for purchase at
www.equestriancollections.com.
The items in the 5/A Baker bag include:
pair of SCS3
High Caliber Field Boots from Mountain Horse
Masta turnout
blanket from World Equestrian Brands, a division of Equibrand
lovely 5/A
Baker and Company duffel from Equestrian Collections
pair of
Tredsteps paddock boots and half chaps
six-month
supply of fly predators from Spalding Labs
handmade
copper mailbox with USEA logo from Still River Designs
pair of Maui
Jim Sunglasses
25% off an
Integrity Linens order (maximum value of $500.00) from Exquisite
Equestrian -- NEW
pair of
Blundstone paddock boots
Tipperary
vest
products from
Cowboy Magic courtesy of Southern Pines Feed
products from
3M, Mackinnon Ice Horse, Finish Line, Likit, Auburn Labs, and many
others, with more being added daily.
50% of the
proceeds will benefit the Red Cross for the Hurricane Katrina
disaster relief effort. The remainder will benefit the U.S.
Eventing Association.
Ticket prices
are $3/ticket, or book of five for $10.
To order
advance tickets through the USEA office, complete the form on the
website
Raffle Form
and mail it to the USEA with payment, or fax it with a credit card
number (Visa, MC, AmEx). Make sure to do this by the deadline of
Thursday, September 15 by 5 p.m. Your tickets will be added to the
raffle at the event, and you'll be contacted afterward if you're a
winner!
Everyone at
the AEC is free to order right up until the drawing at noon on
Sunday, September 18 at the USEA tent in the trade fair.
430 competitors from 33 states will travel to the
Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina for the 2005
American Eventing Championships (AEC) September 14-18.
$50,000 in prize money and more than $75,000 in
prizes are on the line, with riders coming from as far as
California, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Florida,
and New Hampshire. Competition will take place at novice through
advanced, with 11 total divisions. The entry list includes an
impressive list of past Olympians, who have represented the U.S.
and Canada: Kim Severson, Karen O’Connor, Julie Richards, Stephen
Bradley, Robert Costello, Mike Winter, and Stuart Black.
Competitors and spectators are welcome to take in
the educational seminars scheduled from Wednesday through
Saturday, as well as the extensive trade fair that will be open
each day.
In addition, the inaugural AEC Dog Show will be
held Saturday at 1 p.m. in the trade fair. And anyone looking to
add to their canine family, bring an extra leash! Animal
Advocates of Moore County will be at the trade fair on Saturday
looking to find homes for an adorable array of pooches.
Don’t forget the AEC Raffle. Fifty percent of the
proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross to provide aid to
victims of Hurricane Katrina. Tickets can be purchased in advance
from the USEA office until Thursday, September 15 at 5 p.m., or at
the USEA tent in the AEC trade fair until noon Sunday, September
18. This is a great way to win some serious loot, while
supporting the Red Cross and the USEA.
Silent auctions and other fundraisers are also
expected to help support the organizations that are working around
the clock to take care of the hurricane victims.
Gates open each day at 8:00 a.m. with competition
ending around 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. The
Carolina Horse Park is located at 2814 Montrose Road, Raeford,
North Carolina. Directions and maps can be found on the Carolina
Horse Park website at
www.carolinahorsepark.com/aec/aec05/aec05_directions_maps.html
Those who can’t make it to the event can still be
part of the action. The USEA will be testing new technology and
streaming live audio from the cross-country portions of the
competition, and possibly video of the show jumping. Look for the
links on the AEC pages of the USEA and Carolina Horse Park
websites.
The AEC is made possible through the support of its
many sponsors, including Presenting Sponsors: Amerigo, Bit of
Britain, Dry Nest Bedding, and Nutrena; and Contributing
Sponsors: Adequan, Cover-All Building Systems, Finish Line
Products, and Saratoga Horseworks.
For more information on the AEC, the seminars,
raffle, and other details, click on the AEC logo on the homepage
of the USEA website,
www.useventing.com.
$50,000 at Stake at CHP Next Month
BY SUE SMITHSON: Equestrian Correspondent From
The Pilot Aug 28,
2005
Over 350 riders have
entered from all over the U.S. and it's not yet closing date for the
upcoming American Eventing Championships at the Carolina Horse Park next
month. With $50,000 in prize money and over $75,000 in prizes at stake,
riders have been qualifying all year to ride in this national
championship, set for Sept. 14-18 in Raeford.
Entries have already
been received from California, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, Colorado,
Texas, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Florida.
Over a dozen Olympic
and World champions are expected, including Kim Severson, who won
individual silver and team bronze medals last year at the Athens Olympic
Games, and her bronze medal winning teammates, Julie Richards and Darren
Chiacchia.
Many of the top
riders entered are local professionals, including 2000 Olympian Robert
Costello, 2004 Olympic alternate Will Faudree, as well as Mark
Weissbecker. All of the AEC cross-country courses are designed by 2004
Olympic bronze medalist John Williams, who also lives in Southern Pines.
Eventing is known as
equestrian triathlon, because the horse and rider must excel in
dressage, cross country and stadium jumping. The combined score of all
three phases determines the winner.
There is no
admission or parking charge to attend the event. The public is invited
to participate in educational seminars planned for Wednesday through
Saturday. Two large classroom tents will offer seminars all week long,
covering topics such as common horse injuries and their prevention,
cross-country fence building, barn design, nutrition, grooming for
competition, and proper cross-country riding techniques.
For a complete list
of seminars and descriptions, visit the U.S. Eventing Association's Web
site of www.useventing.com and
click on the AEC logo.
Bring your kids, and
your dog (on a leash). "Make no mistake," said Carolina Horse Park
Executive Director Gwen Parkins, "this will be a true Festival of
Eventing and fun for the whole family."
Gates open each day
at 8 a.m. with competition ending around 5 p.m. Admission and parking
are free.
Competitors gearing up for the second running of the American Eventing
Championships (AEC) and Festival of Eventing to be held September 14-18
at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina certainly have
incentive to perform well. It’s not just bragging rights on the line.
There’s also the matter of $50,000 in prize money, as well as over
$75,000 in prizes including the following:
five Amerigo saddles (one to the winner of each level’s Open division)
$10,000 in gift certificates and coolers from new Contributing
Sponsor, Saratoga Horseworks
$5,000 in Bit of Britain gift certificates
a
Stackhouse saddle, plus bridles, girths and stirrup leathers provided by
Stackhouse
Charles Owen helmets
Maui Jim Sunglasses
$3,000 in Devon Aire gift certificates
Mountain Horse SCS3 High Caliber Field Boots with the new Stirrup
Control System from Equestrian Collections
Mountain Horse jackets
Tredsteps half chaps and paddock boots
Tipperary vests
Likit gift packages
Mackinnon Ice Horse products
Blundstone paddock boots from Sugar River Outfitters
ULCERGARD gift packs
Spalding Labs fly predator gift certificates
25-pound buckets of Platinum Performance Equine
APF from Auburn Labs
Work Horse gloves
Saddle pads and gift subscriptions from Practical Horseman
Copper mailboxes with the USEA logo from Still River Designs
ThinLine saddle pads
products from Leather Therapy, Grand Meadows, Healing Tree, Tally Ho,
and Equissentials
This year the $50,000 in prize money will be distributed between all 11
levels, which are: Open Novice, Novice Horse, Novice Junior/Young
Rider; Open Training, Training Horse, and Training Junior/Young Rider;
Open Preliminary, Preliminary Horse, and Preliminary Junior/Young Rider;
Open Intermediate; and Open Advanced.
The
USEA has obtained keeper trophies for each winner. The trophies are
redwood boxes, with a high gloss finish, that display a gold-leaf seal
of the USEA on the lid and a plate inside commemorating the event,
division, and year.
There will be three special awards:
Arete Trophy
The
Arete Trophy is dedicated in memory of R.G’s Renegade, a Selle
Francais/Thoroughbred gelding who represented the U.S. in many
international competitions, including the 2002 World Equestrian Games.
The
most articulated value in Greek culture is Arete. Translated as
“virtue,” the word actually means something closer to “excellence,
honesty, commitment.” R.G’s Renegade was a horse full of spark and
character; he was known for his antics as well as his superb athletic
abilities. He overcame many obstacles on his way to reaching the
pinnacle of eventing, most notably enduring two colic surgeries just
five months before finishing the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in a torrential
downpour with no jumping penalties. He continued to compete at the
international level despite a recurring and chronic immune system
condition. He gave his all whenever and wherever asked.
The
Arete Trophy will be presented to the Advanced division horse and rider
who finish closest to the optimum time on cross-country. In the event
of a tie, it will be awarded to the highest placing competitors.
Exquisite
Equestrian Award
“The journey is much more important than the destination”
best describes the philosophy behind this award, which will be presented
to the AEC competitor, regardless of their placing at the competition,
who has displayed courage and heart in the face of adversity.
Competitor bios will be used to determine the recipient, who will be
awarded an Integrity Linen wool dress sheet courtesy of Exquisite
Equestrian—--a completely custom personal shopping service that travels
across the country to meet with clients at shows or at their barns.
They specialize in outfitting barns, horses, and riders with custom
products that reflect the highest possible quality, including Integrity
Linens, Oakcroft Tack Trunks and barn equipment, Vogel custom boots,
commissioned artwork by Tricia Scheele, and much more.
Best Turned-Out
Award Fiebing will sponsor the “Best Turned-Out” awards given to one
competitor at each level after the completion of show jumping, so make
sure to have you and your horse in tip top shape for your show jumping
round—perfect button braids, polished hooves and boots, shining brass,
and snow white saddle pads.
Ribbons will be given to finishers in first through tenth places.
Completion prizes from Contributing Sponsor Adequan, as well as ribbons,
will also be given to every competitor who finishes the competition.
Competitors can expect welcome bags full of an assortment of coupons and
sample products including 3M Vet Wrap, Brush Therapy from Joz, Inc.,
Little Likit samples from Likit, sponges from Equilite, and Microtek
Wrap and Blanket Wash from Eqyss.
AEC
Raffle Sponsored by
English Riding Supply
You
don't have to be a competitor at the AEC to win, you just need to be
lucky! The USEA is raffling off not only a gorgeous 5A/Baker and Company
duffel bag full of loot worth more than $2,500, but a saddle worth
almost $2,000 as well, from English Riding Supply (ERS), the sponsor for
the first annual AEC raffle.
ERS is donating a Pessoa Legacy Blyth Tait saddle, one of their
fantastic trio of saddles offered to eventers. The Blyth Tait saddle
comes in Chamont French leather with the forward flap for cross-country
and a wider, more supportive seat. The other saddles in the eventing
trio are the Pessoa XL and the Anky XL. All three saddles can be seen
and tried out at the Equestrian Collections Booth at the AEC. A
professional saddle fitter from ERS will be available to provide
assistance. All of these fine saddles are available for purchase at
www.equestriancollections.com.
One lucky person will win the saddle.
A
second lucky person will win the duffel bag full of $2,500 in prizes,
including:
pair of SCS3 High Caliber Field Boots from Mountain Horse
Masta turnout
blanket from World Equestrian Brands, a division of Equibrand
lovely 5/A Baker
and Company duffel from Equestrian Collections
pair of Tredsteps paddock boots and half chaps
six-month supply
of fly predators from Spalding Labs
handmade copper
mailbox with USEA logo from Still River Designs
pair of Maui Jim
Sunglasses
pair of
Blundstone paddock boots
Tipperary vest
products from
Cowboy Magic courtesy of Southern Pines Feed
products from
3M, Mackinnon Ice Horse, Finish Line, Likit, Auburn Labs, and many
others, with more being added daily.
All proceeds benefit the U.S. Eventing Association.
Ticket prices are $3/ticket, or book of five for $10.
You don't have to
attend the AEC to purchase tickets. They can be ordered through the USEA
office by completing the form on the website (www.useventing.com,
click on the AEC logo). Print out the
Raffle Form and mail it to the USEA with payment, or fax it with a
credit card number (Visa, MC, AmEx). Your tickets will be added to the
raffle at the event, and you'll be contacted afterward if you're a
winner! The
winning tickets will be picked at the USEA tent in the trade fair at
noon on Sunday, September 19.
For
more information on the AEC, visit the USEA website at
www.useventing.com and click on the AEC logo on the homepage. There’s still time
to enter. All qualified entries will be accepted through August 30
closing date. Good luck to everyone. We can’t wait to see you there!
The most reliable way to gauge the success of an event, especially
an inaugural event, is to find out if anyone is coming back the next
year. After checking in with more than a dozen competitors from last
year’s American Eventing Championships, the organizers at the
Carolina Horse Park better be prepared to expand their stabling,
because it looks like everyone is coming back, and then some.
Opening Date is just a few days away – July 19! While the event
organizers hope everyone will enter early, and on-line (at
www.evententries.com), remember that all qualified entries will
be accepted through the Close Date of August 30. Please note that
the lists of qualified horses and riders on the USEA website is
updated weekly, but only reflects competition results received by
the USEA headquarters. There can sometimes be a several week lag
between the completion of the event, and receipt and input of the
results.
According to course designer, bronze medallist John Williams, those
who attended the event last year can expect a similar track and
layout, with about 20 percent changed at each level. They can also
expect the maximum number of jumps allowed on each course, and
perhaps an extra combination or two. “Since it’s a championship,
everybody should expect the courses within the level to be more
challenging than the average horse trials.”
Williams designed last year’s novice through preliminary courses,
while Captain Mark Phillips put together the two highest level
tracks. “I’m new to the intermediate and advanced courses, but so
much work was done at the site last year to establish the tracks and
courses, even though I’m in as the new designer they still have a
bit of a feel left over from Captain Mark Phillips, but where I can
I will certainly move some portables around and make as many changes
as I can to give the course my own feel.”
Williams, who with Carrick won team bronze at last year’s Olympic
Games, won’t have the opportunity to ride at this year’s event.
Generally, course designers can compete over their own courses, but
are prohibited to do so at championships.
About this year’s sophomore AEC he said: “Hopefully everybody that
came last year will be just as delighted for this year’s event.”
And for those who have not yet enjoyed the AEC experience, he
offered this: “Come and partake. See what it’s all about and keep
the fun, festive atmosphere that we had last year.”
If you’re still on the fence after hearing that, and reading the
article, here are some other incentives to sway you…
• Cash!
$50,000 in prize money, divided equally between the five levels (see
Omnibus page for breakdown)
• And Prizes!
More than $50,000 in prizes, including:
* five Amerigo saddles (one to the winner of each level’s Open
division)
* $5,000 in Bit of Britain gift certificates
* a Stackhouse saddle, plus bridles, girths and stirrup leathers
provided by Stackhouse
* Charles Owen helmets
* Maui Jim Sunglasses
* Tredsteps half chaps and paddock boots
* Tipperary vests
* Likit gift packages
* Mackinnon Ice Horse products
* Blundstone paddock boots
* ULCERGARD gift packs
* Spalding Labs fly predator gift certificates
* Platinum Performance products
* APF from Auburn Labs
* Work Horse gloves
* Saddle pads and gift subscriptions from Practical Horseman
* Copper mailboxes with the USEA logo from Still River Designs
* products from Leather Therapy, Grand Meadows, Healing Tree, Tally
Ho, and Equissentials
• Festivities
The Carolina Horse Park will welcome everyone to the park Wednesday
evening with a wine and cheese party. The USEA will host the
Thursday evening festivities, with heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and
a DJ. Friday night is the Horse Park’s big BBQ, beer, and band
party. If you’re not from the South, prepare yourself for this
festive and fun regional culinary experience. And as things quiet
down, Saturday evening will feature light, relaxing hors d’oeurves
and drinks. A door prize will be given every evening, including a
pair of Blundstone paddock boots, Tipperary vest, and Maui Jim
Sunglasses.
• Seminars
If you’ve got the time, we’ve got the seminar. A variety of
seminars, clinics, and hands-on demonstrations will be held
throughout the event. Unless otherwise noted, dates and times will
be announced closer to the event, to accommodate presenters’
schedules. Get to as many as you can!
In-The-Field
Cross-Country Jumping Seminar
Karen O’Connor, Darren Chiacchia, and Robin Walker invite all who
are interested in cross-country riding and jumping to attend the
Instructors’ Certification Program’s “In-the-field Cross-Country
Jumping Seminar.” The Carolina Horse Park is notable for the way it
sets different competition level fences near each other, making the
site’s courses particularly well suited for comparing sizes, shapes,
and technicality of fences. These aspects of each fence determine
the kind of riding that each requires. Karen, Darren, and Robin will
be making these comparisons, while focusing on the preparation
period before and the maintenance to various fences, key elements of
competent cross-country riding—and also taking questions and
comments from those attending the seminar.
Show Jumping
Course Design
Whether you’re an up-and-coming designer, official, organizer, or a
rider looking to improve their performance over the colored poles,
this silent auditing seminar offers a chance to better understand
the philosophies used by top FEI and Rolex Kentucky CCI**** show
jumping designer Richard Jeffrey, who will discuss the theories and
techniques behind effective show jumping course design, using the
AEC courses throughout his presentations. This is a paid clinic for
professional and potential course designers, but a limited number of
silent auditors will be permitted at no charge, but by application
only, to attend the two classroom sessions, Thursday afternoon
(covering general theory and overview of course design) and Friday
morning (overview of distances, and discussion of course designs
submitted by paid clinic attendees). The application can be found on
the USEA website—click Education, then Forms.
Cross-Country Fence Building
Join 20-year course building veteran Dan Starck, and FEI course
designer Ritch Temple, for a hands-on portable cross-country fence
building experience. Due to increasing land loss, and expense,
portable cross-country obstacles have become vital to effective
cross-country course design. Dan, who has built at venues including
Rolex Kentucky, North Georgia, Foxhall, and Maui Jim Wayne, will
walk you through the process—and the end result will be left for the
Carolina Horse Park to use on future AEC courses. This will be
followed by a course tour, where Dan will walk the course and
discuss the fences from a builder’s perspective, including the whys
and what fors of construction of the different types of fences and
complexes.
Horse Friendly Barn Design
Architectural designer/consultant and intermediate level eventer,
Holly Matt, will discuss the historical, cultural, and technological
influences on barn design, and outline ways that you can design or
re-design your facilities to balance the needs of the horses and the
humans who care for them—creating a safe, healthy, and happy
environment for both species.
Grooming for Competition
Advanced level competitor Jennifer Holling will provide a hands-on
demonstration covering how to make sure you and your horse look your
absolute best on competition day, from head to toe (or tail),
including techniques and tricks covering braiding, boot polishing,
and the all-important finishing touches. All seminar attendees will
receive a stash of products from Fiebing, Jennifer’s longtime
sponsor, including Satin Sheen, Flyspray 44, and Cadet Shine. In
addition Fiebing will sponsor the “Best Turned-Out” awards given to
one competitor at each level after the completion of show jumping.
Nutrition for the Event Horse
An expert from Nutrena will discuss the appropriate types and ratios
of feeds needed to meet the nutritional needs of active event
horses, ensuring that they’re ready for the rigors of competition.
Preventing Colic Through Nutrition
Colic is the number one cause of death for horses in any discipline.
Learn about advanced research that has been done to formulate
different types of feeds that can help prevent 90 percent of cases.
Volunteer Certification Seminar
This seminar is part of a USEA pilot program designed to recognize
and certify our dedicated volunteers. The sport exists only because
of their efforts, and the association would like to not only say
thank you, but give those devoted to the sport a chance to further
develop their skills, meet other volunteers, raise questions and
concerns and to work with top eventing officials. Look to the USEA
website for details on this exciting new program, to be launched at
the AEC.
• AEC Raffle
If you’re coming to the AEC, you don’t have to be a competitor to
win, you just need to be lucky! The USEA will be raffling off a
trunk full of loot—including several prizes that will also be
awarded during the competition—Maui Jim Sunglasses, Blundstone
paddock boots, a Tipperary vest, and products from Mackinnon Ice
Horse, Finish Line, Lickit, Auburn Labs, and many others, with more
being added daily. One winner will take home the entire trunk, and
its contents worth more than $1,500. Stop by the USEA booth in the
trade fair for tickets!
• Best
Turned-Out Award
Fiebing will sponsor the “Best Turned-Out” awards given to one
competitor at each level after the completion of show jumping, so
make sure to have you and your horse in tip top shape for your show
jumping round—perfect button braids, polished hooves and boots,
shining brass, and snow white saddle pads.
• Trade Fair
Our sponsors and vendors from all over the country will be on hand
selling their wares. Make sure to check out the USEA booth for
exclusive AEC logo wear: T-shirts, ball caps, pins, decals, and
posters. Bring your credit card!
• Going to the
Dogs
While we can’t guarantee a championship atmosphere, we can guarantee
lots of laughs
and a few prizes--competitors, grooms, family, and spectators are
welcome to enter their pooches into the first annual AEC Dog Show.
Expect informal classes on everything from obedience and obstacle
courses, to cutest face and waggiest tail (for the kids).
• A Word About
our Sponsors
We’re thrilled to have all of last year’s AEC sponsors returning,
including Presenting Sponsors: Bit of Britain, Amerigo, and DryNest
Bedding; and Contributing Sponsors: Cover-All Building Systems and
Finish Line Products. In addition Nutrena and Adequan signed on for
this year as well.
We’ve added a long list of new AEC sponsors, including Gold Level:
Practical Horseman, Maui Jim, and Platinum Performance; Silver
Level: Charles Owen, Stackhouse Saddles, John Deere, Pegasus Design,
Phoenix Performance Products, Tredstep, Likit, Equine Products, LLC
and Rodney Powell Body Armour; Bronze: Auburn Laboratories, Spalding
Labs, Mackinnon Ice Horse, Gore Trailers, and Equine Quality
Alliance.
Put in for vacation at the office! Get on MapQuest and plot your route!
You absolutely do not want to miss the second running of the USEA’s
American Eventing Championships at the CarolinaHorsePark in Raeford, North
Carolina, September
14-18.
Corrine Ashton and Dobbin (photo by Shannon
Brinkman)
$50,000 in
prize money, to be distributed throughout every level and division,
plus more than $50,000 in prizes top the reasons to attend this
year’s AEC and Festival of Eventing. Of the top prizes already
secured, competitors can expect: Amerigo saddles, a Stackhouse
saddle, Bit of Britain gift certificates, Charles Owen helmets,
Likit Products gift packages, Mackinnon Ice Horse products, Maui Jim
Sunglasses, Tipperary protective vests, and
Tredsteps half chaps and paddock boots. 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 covering everything from show jumping course design,
grooming, building a portable cross-country fence, barn design, and
prevention and treatment of common injuries, as well as an
“In-the-Field Cross-Country Jumping Seminar” with several past
Olympians.
Check back to
the
USEA
website for details on these seminars, which will begin taking
place the first day of the event, September 14.
Last year rider
support at the AEC 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.
And 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 and purse money are really just icing on the cake.
Visit the
AEC
page on the USEA website to see if you and your horses are
qualified—the list has just been updated. If you haven’t quite made the
cut, don’t worry. Though opening day is July 19, you’ve got until August
30 to achieve a qualifying score. All qualified competitors who enter the
event by the closing date of August 30 will be accepted.
Read on for more
details…
AEC
Background
It was a
concept decades in the making, pondered by some of the most
influential pundits in the history of the USEA—a national
championship that would bring together the country’s top horses and
riders, at all levels, to one location where they could test their
mettle on the field of competition, and celebrate the sport as part
of a true festival of eventing. Other disciplines had tried it, with
little success. But as everyone knows, eventers relish a challenge,
and in 2004 the USEA launched the American Eventing Championships
and Festival of Eventing.
Inaugural
Event
The unqualified
success of the inaugural event surprised even the most enthusiastic
supporters. The Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, North Carolina, the
host site for at least the first three years of the championships,
received almost 500 entries from 35 states and the District of
Columbia, including California, Washington, Idaho, Alabama, New
Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida, New Hampshire and New
York. The entry list read like a who’s who of the sport—with past
Olympians, and World and Pan American champions competing alongside
hundreds of juniors and adult amateurs.
Will Faudree and Wild Frontier
(photo by Shannon
Brinkman)
The third weekend in
September they all made the trek to North Carolina from just about every
corner of the country, despite Hurricane Ivan heading up the East
Coast.
Eventers love the
sport with a passion that inspires, and they arrived at the Carolina Horse Park exhausted from hours and days
on the road, but with huge smiles on their faces. For many of our novice
and training level riders, this competition was their Rolex, their
Olympics. They had the chance to compete against some of the best in the
nation for significant purse money and prizes while at the same time
forging friendships with eventers from around the
country.
It truly was a
smashing success. Here are some thoughts directly from
competitors:
Mark Weissbecker
(winner of the Intermediate Championships): “My training level horses are
four-year-olds, so they’re proper babies, and it was like going to the
Olympics with them this weekend. The horses leave so much smarter than
they come, and I like that it educated them. I saw an awful lot of excited
amateurs and Young Riders and that made it so much fun and it was well
deserved.”
Amanda Glueck (winner
of the Training Junior/Young Rider division): “I had a great time. I’m
definitely going to back next year. It was just so much fun, especially to
see all the levels. You never get to see novice through advanced at one
place.”
Susan Goodman (a
novice rider who traveled from Utah): “Karen O’Connor let us walk the
course with them and Jim Wofford helped me out. Everyone has been so
gracious. We’ve made a whole barn full of new friends. It doesn’t matter
where you’re from, everyone here has been really
friendly.”
Bookmark the
AEC page so you can check back often for updates
on prizes, sponsors, and seminars.
This AEC is a
chance for every active horse and rider in the sport to qualify to
compete in a championship caliber event at their level. No matter
what your background, your level of experience, or where you live,
this is the chance
toexperience the thrill
of championship competition, win some cash and prizes, and take advantage
of a multitude of seminars and course walks with some of the top names in
the sport. See you there!
