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By Abbie Stevens, StevensA6@Findlay.edu
At the end of August, two equestrian students from the University of Findlay traveled to Lexington, Kentucky for the American Eventing Championships (AECs). Kendall Westgate and Marissa Mitchell represented the University of Findlay at this show.
During the American Eventing Championships, equestrians compete in a trifecta of challenges – dressage, cross country, and show jumping – which are together termed eventing. These three phases are designed to test both the horse and the rider’s skill.
“The more and more I got involved in the eventing world, the more and more I fell in love with it. I have ridden many different disciplines, but no other discipline gives me the same happiness as eventing,” Westgate said. “Cross country is definitely my favorite phase because it is just your horse and you out on course. You get to really connect with your horse and obviously jump over some pretty solid obstacles.”
Qualifying for the AECs is a feat in and of itself.
“To qualify for AECs, a rider and horse both must place first or second at their designated level, while also having a clear cross country,” Westgate said. “They must also have two other clear cross country rounds at other shows.”
Competing in the AECs was “a dream come true” for Westgate, as she didn’t think she would qualify this year, having just been partnered with the University of Findlay’s Bright Prince in May.
Westgate placed 10th out of 60 other riders in the Novice Amateur Division riding UF’s Bright Prince. Mitchell placed 27th out of 35 in the AECs open starter, riding her own horse Master Distiller.
This was Kendall Westgate and Marissa Mitchell’s first time competing at the AECs, but it wasn’t the first time UF students had shown there. UF alumni Grace Ransom and student Eva Reynolds both competed in the American Eventing Championships in 2023. Bright Prince also made a return to the AECs this year, having been ridden by Ransom in 2023.
“I had no goals going into this show because my only goal was to qualify,” Westgate said. “Finishing in the ribbons out of a huge field of horse and rider combinations was the cherry on top. I am so grateful I was able to experience this with Bright.”
