Unlimited access >

AEC's 2019 - NO LL live streaming!

USEA posted the live streaming schedule today and they’re not streaming any divisions below Prelim! Their FB comments refer “feedback” on the decision to Lee Carter of Equestrian Events, Inc. I messaged Lee and got an almost immediate reply - that the USEA said that streaming the lower levels was “optional” and the finances didn’t allow them to do so.

I understand finances, but the decision is extremely disappointing. I’m lucky enough to live in Area 2 and can go watch UL riders in person every weekend if I want; the AECs were the only opportunity to see my peer riders in the big arena.

If you feel the same, go to (both of!) their FB pages and comment! The USEA says EEI made the decision, but the USEA apparently needs to be reminded that most of their members are at the LLs and therefore, not “optional”.

[URL=“https://useventing.com/news-media/news/how-to-watch-the-aec-live?fbclid=IwAR17L8MjxDErr-8dKZ_7f8HpWXgt3_YmiqwfLaO-XVoBrWO4XwK2kszXxnI”]https://useventing.com/news-media/news/how-to-watch-the-aec-live?fbclid=IwAR17L8MjxDErr-8dKZ_7f8HpWXgt3_YmiqwfLaO-XVoBrWO4XwK2kszXxnI

https://useventing.com/news-media/news/how-to-watch-the-aec-live?fbclid=IwAR17L8MjxDErr-8dKZ_7f8HpWXgt3_YmiqwfLaO-XVoBrWO4XwK2kszXxnI

https://www.facebook.com/events/255004492043352/355330715344062/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&notif_id=1566774851403208

Yeesh. How disappointing…

I like watching the livestreams of the “lower levels” better – usually because I know the people participating better than I know the big players…

6 Likes

While it would be awesome to watch everyone compete in the AECs, arent there 600 ish entries? Im thinking that would be a logistical nightmare to live stream all rides at all levels. How many different feeds would you need? Have they done that in the past?

1 Like

Ugh :frowning: I’ve got riders from my barn competing at the LL and wanted to watch and cheer them on from afar. I like getting to see riders from all over competing against each other at ALL levels… and since I’m lower level I feel like I can learn more from the lower levels. This is very disappointing.

3 Likes

I do think it might worthwhile for the PTB to consider especially for the lower levels at the AECs. For those who qualify at the lower levels, maybe it would add to the reasons to actually attend - and for those who have maybe never thought about attending, it might make the AECs seem more accessible.

3 Likes

YES! They have live streamed the entire event in the past. Ride On Video did the entirety of last years livestream. Looks like they are only doing individual videos this year and USEA gave the livestream rights to Equestrian Events, Inc. who has chosen to only do upper level streams.

Last years videos (they had three channels):
https://www.rideonvideo.net/browse-aec-videos-1-date.html

2 Likes

Yeah… I’ve been able to cheer on friends from afar in the past with livestreaming.

2 Likes

Well, I just checked and it looked like nothing is getting on at the moment. Is that because it is only LL right now?

Edit because I now see dressage starts today, not tomorrow. So I have no idea why nothing is showing up.

Here is a link to the schedule.

https://useventing.com/news-media/ne…mmodations-now

There was a post on the USEA FB page that they are aware of the issues and are looking into it. I’d even be willing to pay a small fee ($5-10) for RideOn Video to stream the whole competition if money was the issue for why they didn’t do it this year… they did a great job before.

1 Like

There are 950 horses competing, with Dressage, XC and SJ overlapping between the levels starting tomorrow. It’s likely a logistical nightmare and not one they were prepared to take on this year.

4 Likes

Does anyone know who the announcers are for the live stream?

Is there live stream for the cross country Wednesday?

yes! It is up and running! Just saw Boyd riding Barry in OI. The announcer said something about prelim later in the day. Would he say that if they weren’t covering? Any way, it is up and running!

They’re only streaming P and up. No BN/N/T/M.

Lee from EEI got right back to me when I messaged and told me that USEA told them that streaming P and up was mandatory and any level below that was “optional” and that financially they couldn’t make it work with all the rides. While I certainly understand financial and logistic challenges, the fact that they would sacrifice the majority of the competitors who also make up the bulk of the USEAs membership and who rarely get to be seen on a such a big stage was… a disappointing choice IMO. They had years to prepare, plenty of experience running large events and several models for other AECs who managed to do it with nearly this number of entries. Also, since (I assume) everyone pays the same entry fees that would mean that this event was mostly financed by H/R combos at the lower 4 divisions. Which makes sacrificing the “little guys” to show just the UL riders we can see every weekend an even larger affront.

6 Likes

Sorry, what’s PTB? And they’ve done it for several years in the past. And it had exactly that effect on me. Watching the live stream of the Master’s BN division (from jog through victory gallop) a few years ago made it a competitive goal of mine ever since. It’s what keeps me motivated to keep competing, continue to improve, and buy my own horse in order to keep on that path. Heck, I’ve changed barns because I didn’t think the trainers at the barn I was at at the time took me and my goals seriously enough. So yeah, this is another case when representation matters.

1 Like

Sorry, I couldn’t find that on their page. I know there have been several conversations on various personal pages, but I haven’t seen anything “official”. If you can find it and post I’d appreciate it. Lee told me there was “nothing that could be done for this year” but if that’s changed I will figure out a way to live stream while I’m at work! LOL

The LLs support the ULs. They are the base. Everything else is geared towards the ULs and the AECs are a bit of a joke as far as UL competition - why not “give back” to the base that foots the majority of the bills by live streaming it. OI at the AECs is not like Rolex, and the AECs May be Rolex to the LL competitors.

8 Likes

https://www.facebook.com/events/255004492043352/permalink/355204072023393/?notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&notif_id=1566921268965548