Recently the United States Eventing Association (USEA) announced that a Beginner Novice division would be offered at the 2006 American Eventing Championships (AEC), on a trial basis. At that time qualifications were published for those hoping to compete in this division.

After careful consideration, the qualifications have been modified to a degree. They are now as follows:

Horses and riders, not necessarily as a combination, during the period from August 2, 2005, to August 21, 2006, will qualify to compete in the AEC Beginner Novice division when they have acquired:

-Two first through third placings in any USEA-recognized Beginner Novice Horse Trials; or
-First through fifth placing in any USEA Beginner Novice Area Championship

Neither horse nor rider can have competed at higher than the Novice level during the qualifying period; and if they have competed at Novice, it can be no more than five times during the qualifying period. In this instance, "competed" is defined as starting the dressage phase, regardless of whether or not the horse and rider finish the competition.

The horse and rider must be registered with the USEA. For the Beginner Novice division only, if rider membership and horse registration are in place by April 30, 2006, points and placing(s) from August 2, 2005, through April 30, 2006, will be retroactive, providing proof of qualifying rides is submitted to the USEA. The USEA will not automatically assign points or placings--you must contact the Member Services Department to submit this information. After April 30, 2006, NO qualifications will be honored.

All other aspects of the Beginner Novice remain the same. Only one division will be offered, with $1,000 in prize money.

The list of AEC sponsors is long, with more signing on each week. Top sponsors currently include: Presenting Sponsors, Amerigo, Bit of Britain, and Nutrena; Contributing Sponsors, Adequan, Cover-All, and UlcerGard; Gold Sponsors, Maui Jim Sunglasses, Mountain Horse, and Stackhouse Saddles.

Prizes include five Amerigo saddles, Maui Jim sunglasses, UlcerGard treatments and Mountain Horse jackets. Stackhouse Saddles recently agreed to present one of their saddles as the grand prize for the winner of the Beginner Novice division.

For more information on the AEC, which runs September 20-24, 2006, at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, NC, visit www.useventing.com/competitions.php?section=aec.


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