Rookie here trying to see if I can find a loophole. My horse has qualified for AECs and I was his rider when we got the placement needed. Unfortunately I have only gone clear at two horse trials with him while he has gone clear with my trainer one time so he has the 3 completions and score whereas I have the 2 completions and score. Is there any way to work around this or is there nothing to be done?
Reach out to Hannah in the Usea office (703) 779-0440 ext 3008. She’s super helpful!
Do you have a third clear XC completion at the same level or higher on a different horse within the qualifying period? If so, I believe you would be qualified. See the following description from the USEA: “ Both rider and horse at ALL levels must achieve the required qualifications for the division, although not necessarily as a horse/rider combination. The placing requirement (where applicable) must be achieved by the rider and the horse at the level intended for the AEC, although not necessarily as a horse/rider combination.”
If not, then I think your horse is qualified but you are not. Your trainer could ride him at the AECs if she has a top 2 finish at the level for which he is qualified and two other clear XC completions at that level or higher, all within the time window (unless your qualifying placing was through the amateur upgrade provision, in which case he would only be qualified for an amateur division).
See https://useventing.com/events-competitions/competitor-information/aec-qualifications for fairly clear descriptions of the qualifications for each division. And there is a list of qualified riders and the divisions for which they are qualified here: https://useventing.com/events-competitions/competitor-information/aec-qualified-riders
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In addition to what @Mounted posted, you will receive emails from USEA informing you that you and/or your horse has qualified when the requirements are met. So you don’t have to do the guesswork - they will confirm it. Have you received either of those?
I received the email for him but not me, and I’ve only done the two training completions on him. So I suppose I’m not qualified. Oh well, thanks though.
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