The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce that the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) in Mill Spring, N.C., will be the host site for the 2017 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) on August 30 – September 3, 2017, and the Colorado Horse Park (CHP) in Parker, Colo. will be the host site for the 2018 AEC.
Historically, the AEC stays at the same location for three years, but in an effort to facilitate participation and accessibility on both sides of the country, the USEA and the Tryon Equestrian Partners agreed that the Colorado Horse Park would host the championship one of the three years. While the 2017 location of the AEC has been available to all of the USEA Areas and Organizers through the regular calendaring process the USEA is seeking to dispel any confusion with this release.
This announcement follows the conclusion of the AEC’s inaugural event at TIEC. The 2016 AEC boasted one of the largest number of starters in U.S. eventing history and the level of competition, comradery and celebration will certainly be difficult to match. Eventers enjoyed a variety of world-class amenities this year including facility-wide horse paths around the property, 10 arenas with all-weather footing, climate-controlled pavilions for horses and riders, a spectator friendly cross-country track built upon 6” of ESI footing and specialized TifTuf grass, roomy stalls each with a built in fan and much more!
“Since the beginning, the dream of the USEA Board of Governors was for the AEC to become a true national championship caliber event for every level of the sport, and the Tryon International Equestrian Center helped make that possible," said USEA CEO Rob Burk on the 2016 AEC. "I'm exceedingly excited about the future of this facility. I know that we have an even greater potential, beyond what we put forth this year, that includes the expansion of the cross-country course. If it was this good on year one, I can't imagine how good it's going to be in the next year and beyond that," he concluded.
TIEC has gone to great lengths to support eventing at their premier facility, and as they continue to grow in the coming year, the USEA is excited to watch the AEC develop with it.
“This organization is committed to a transition of developing an atmosphere that exposes new people to this discipline. I really enjoy and value our involvement with this eventing community," said Mark Bellissimo, Managing Partner of the Tryon Equestrian Partners. "We want to demonstrate that these athletes are put to an incredible test and in many ways, this discipline is the least profiled in how difficult it is, along with the risk these riders take to be at the top of their game. We want to make sure that it gets the respect it deserves and the athletes get appropriate prize money. We're very honored to be a part of this event and that the USEA placed their bet on us. We're already looking forward to and preparing for the 2017 AEC."
The qualifying period for the 2017 AEC has already begun, so let the countdown begin and we will see you again next year at TIEC!
About the AEC: The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) is the pinnacle of the sport for the national levels. Held annually, this event draws together the best competitors from across the country vying for national titles from the Beginner Novice through the Advanced level. Next year's AEC is being held at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. August 30-September 3, 2017. To learn more, visit useventing.com/AEC.
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