It’s Super Bowl AEC week! I hope you all have your tack trunks packed and your game face on, because it’s going to be a great week of eventing down in the great state of Texas. I will be on site bringing you all of the latest news this weekend, and I wish everyone the best of luck in their divisions. Here are just a few reasons why you should be (even more) pumped up for AECs.
1. Prizes, prizes and more prizes.
The USEA never fails to put on a great event, and the prize list this year is second to none. There is $90,000 in prize money up for grabs this weekend — definitely not a small chunk of change! Aside from that, there are some great prizes, such as custom portraits from Julie Lawther and gift certificates galore.
2. Plenty of big names will be on hand strutting their stuff.
The divisions are positively stacked with riders who I for one will have a hard time not stalking all weekend for autographs and photo ops with their various horses. Check out the entry list here for the latest entries.
3. Texas Rose Horse Park is a gorgeous facility that promises to host a great event this year.
I’ve been chowing down on as much information as I can get about the facilities, and it seems like the perfect place to hold a large scale event such as the AECs. The space is huge, there is plenty of stabling and the weather looks like it will be perfect.
4. EN will be running a Twitter contest for all of you who are in attendance this weekend.
More details are coming, but for those of you who have joined the dark side Twitterverse, this contest should be right up your alley. Get ready to practice those Instagram skills and look for more information coming soon.
5. The USEA is also running a great photo contest right now.
Send in a photo of the state signs that you pass as you make your trek to Texas and you will be entered to win some fantastic prizes plus get your photo on the USEA website.
6. Competitor party, anyone?
I for one will never pass up an opportunity for a good party, and the competitor party at the AECs is no exception. The party will take place immediately following the Advanced awards ceremony on Saturday. One ticket is included with each entry, and additional tickets are available on site.
7. Are you competing your OTTB this weekend?
The Thoroughbred Incentive Program is supporting the AECs with more prizes for all Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbreds competing. Make sure that your horse has his or her TIP number and then go for the gold.
8. One of our much loved sponsors, FLAIR Nasal Strips, is also a sponsor of the AECs.
You know what that means? Yep, you guessed it — a free FLAIR strip in your competitor welcome bag. Don’t mind me if you see me sporting one this weekend; I feel the need the fit in, so since I will be horseless I can at least represent FLAIR in my own way.
9. What else is there to do in Tyler, Texas anyway?
Well, good thing you checked EN first. Not that you will want to tear yourself away from the eventing action, but in case you do, here is a handy list of some area attractions that Tyler has to offer.
10. Last but certainly not least — have FUN!
This may be one of the biggest events in the country, but let’s face it, at the end of the day the AECs are a chance for everyone to show what they’ve worked so hard for this year. For all of you competing, be very proud of yourselves. And for those of you who will be following along with the action at home, help us cheer on our eventing family as they show off their best moves all weekend.
Go eventing, and Go AECs.
