Over 550 entries have been received for this year’s Wellpride American Eventing Championships (AEC), a new record for this national championships for the Olympic equestrian sport of eventing, which will be held September 13-16 at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, IL. Not only has this year’s Wellpride AEC set a record for entries, it has also set a record for national and international representation, with riders coming from 42 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, five countries and three continents are represented: the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The entry list includes nearly a dozen Olympic, World Equestrian Games, and Pan American Games veterans, including reigning Olympic Gold medallist Leslie Law of Great Britain, three-time Olympian (Team Silver and Team Bronze) and reigning Pan Am Individual and Team Gold medalist Karen O’Connor (U.S.); World Equestrian Games (WEG) Team Gold and Olympic Team Bronze medalist John Williams (U.S.); Pan Am Gold and Olympian Darren Chiacchia (U.S.); and 2000 Olympics alternate, Becky Holder (U.S.). Canadian Olympians Mike Winter and Hawley Bennett will be on hand, with Bennett coming all the way from the West Coast. Additional top names include Olympian and three-time WEG U.S. team member and Pan Am Gold medallist Mike Huber, WEG Silver medalist Dorothy Trapp (U.S.), New Zealand WEG team member Donna Smith, and famed Australian Boyd Martin.

In addition to those top international names, expect to see many former AEC champions and newbies vying for top honors and nearly $60,000 in prize money and over $100,000 in prizes, as well as bragging rights.

This year’s Wellpride AEC benefits the local Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross, a connection now even more relevant after the severe flooding in the area less than two weeks ago. The Fox River Chapter will be active at the event, offering a Pet First-Aid seminar at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, right after the SmartPak Canine Dog Show. Anyone is welcome to enter this purely-for-fun dog show, with a class list that includes Best Costume, Show Jumping (a type of agility course), Best Trick, Best Vocal Performance, and even a Dog/Owner Lookalike contest. The show starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, with ribbons through fifth and prizes through third place from SmartPak Canine, Saratoga Horseworks, and Merial. Dogs can be pre-registered. Call or e-mail Nancy at (703) 779-0440, ext. 3007, or [email protected] or register on site at the USEA tent.

This event is fun for the whole family with an extensive trade fair, scrumptious food, and some of the most talented horses and riders, not just in the country, but in the world. Gates open at 9 a.m. each day, rain or shine, and admission is free. Parking donations to the Fox River Chapter of the American Red Cross are welcome.

For more information on the event site, visit www.LamplightEquestrian.com, and for more details on the event, visit www.useventing.com or www.aecatlamplight.org.