AK Dragoo Photography Chosen as Official Photographer of the…

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) acquired a number of extremely certified bids for the position of Official Photographer on the 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) offered by Nutrena Feeds. Careful consideration for the general competitor expertise was taken into consideration when reviewing these bids, and we’re thrilled to share that AK Dragoo Photography was chosen for the position. The 2026 AEC will happen Aug. 25-30, 2026 on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

“As lifelong equestrians, my team understands the dedication, perseverance, and countless hours it takes to qualify for the national eventing championships,” stated Amy Dragoo. “Our goal is to honor each rider’s achievement by capturing not only the competition itself, but the emotion, excitement, and meaning of the experience—creating a lasting record of a moment they have worked so hard to reach.”

“The sport of eventing is incredibly lucky to have a number of talented professionals working to capture the magic of the sport for all of us that have the privilege of competing in it,” stated USEA CEO Rob Burk.

“While we wish we could select all bidders ultimately, we cannot,” he continued. “The AEC is an enormous undertaking for any team planning to cover it, and we are lucky to have worked with some incredible professionals capable of providing beautiful pictures that capture the joy that is the AEC. I am extremely happy that Amy Dragoo’s team has been selected to serve in this capacity. Amy is an exceptional photographer with a strong reputation. She is committed to providing the AEC competitors with the best affordability, the most comprehensive packages, and she brings with her a large professional on-site team. I genuinely enjoy working with Amy as her positivity and love for the horses and riders are her calling card.”

AK Dragoo Photography will deliver forth a extremely revered crew of photographers who’ve shot at among the world’s largest competitions together with five-stars, different worldwide occasions, and on the AEC. The crew strives to seize a big curation of photographs that enables riders to pick imagery that really tells the story of their particular person experiences at a contest.

All kinds of packages will likely be obtainable for rivals to select from together with digital and print choices. There may even be a 20% off presale low cost that rivals can make the most of to get the most effective worth on their funding in these recollections from the AEC.

The position of Official Photographer comes open for a bid every year to make sure that competitor suggestions from previous years is taken into consideration when deciding on the suitable group to fill this position. This USEA doesn’t obtain compensation from the Official Photographer or pay the Official Photographer, so the analysis of bids is fully based mostly on what high quality of the product, price to the competitor, and the general competitor expertise.

Due to the robust variety of bids acquired this yr, the USEA opted to bear an preliminary blind evaluation of bids to eradicate any exterior bias from the choice making course of. Candidates have been reviewed for his or her means to deal with an occasion the scale of the AEC, demonstrated product high quality, pricing for rivals, and total professionalism. Following the blind evaluation, firm names have been revealed to the members of the USEA Staff and the USEA AEC Task Force that served because the reviewing committee and all votes remained the identical.

Private Photographer Clause

In an effort to higher regulate and preserve horse and rider security throughout competitors, and out of respect for the partnership with the 2026 AEC official photographer, the USEA will likely be implementing the next freelance pictures protocols in the course of the 2026 AEC.

• No non-public photographers will likely be allowed onsite in the course of the 2026 AEC. Any non-public photographers discovered to be selling non-public pictures companies or soliciting purchasers previous to or in the course of the occasion will likely be requested to go away the competitors instantly.

• Only credentialed media personnel will likely be granted pictures passes for the 2026 AEC.

• With the understanding that relations will wish to seize recollections of their family members in the course of the AEC, private digital camera utilization is allowed. For security functions, these taking images for private use will not be allowed inside any of the arenas, together with throughout prize-giving ceremonies. We ask that these with personal-use cameras please respect credentialed media and photographers by being conscious of their positioning and to please keep away from areas which may be in the best way of the realm that the photographer is capturing. If at any time personal-use pictures turns into a security hazard or comes into battle with that of a credentialed media particular person, private photographers could also be requested to relocate.

About the USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC)

The USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) offered by Nutrena Feeds is the head of the game on the nationwide ranges. Held yearly, the most effective junior, grownup newbie, {and professional} rivals collect to vie for nationwide championship titles at each stage from Starter to Advanced. This final check of horse and rider attracts a whole bunch of mixtures from across the nation to compete for fabulous prizes, a bit of the substantial prize cash, and the prospect to be named the National Champion at their respective ranges. In reality, the 2021 AEC garnered over 1,000 entries and now stands as the most important eventing competitors in North American historical past. The 2026 USEA American Eventing Championships offered by Nutrena Feeds will likely be held on Aug. 25-30 on the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. Click right here to be taught extra in regards to the USEA American Eventing Championships.

The USEA want to thank Presenting Sponsor: Nutrena Feeds; Advanced Final Title Sponsor: Adequan; Platinum Level Sponsor: Bates Saddles, Marshall+Sterling Equine Insurance; Gold Level Sponsors: ARMA, PulseVet, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartEquine, Standlee; and extra!