first published in the October 2024 Equiery
photo by Erin Glimore Photography
The American Eventing Championships took place at the Kentucky Horse Park August 27 through September 1 with many Maryland riders and a few Maryland-bred horses making the trip to Lexington, KY, to compete for top honors.
Alyana Newsome (pictured) of MHC Industry Professional member Covered Bridge Farm in Woodbine earned the Preliminary Rider Championship with her own Irish Sport Horse, Quality Dynamite. The pair earned a 37.6 in dressage to lead the division before jumping clean with a few time faults on cross-country. They added just one rail to finish on a score of 46.8 for the win.
Kendal Fansler of Clarksville earned the Reserve Championship in the Junior Novice Under 15 division, riding Delilah’s Boy. The pair jumped clean in both show jumping and cross-country to finish on a dressage score of 28.3, less than a point from winning the division. Fansler also finished third in the division with Curioso on a final score of 30.6.
Kerri Long of Woodbine rode Blue Suede Shoes to a dressage score of 25.7 in the Novice Rider Championship division. The pair jumped clean to win the division out of 59 entries!
Tessa Geven of Georgia rode Maryland-bred Thoroughbred Ameristan to win the Junior Training Rider Championship. The pair bested a field of 27 to win on their dressage score of 26.6.
