young riders

YOUNG RIDERS

The purpose of the program is to encourage younger members to become involved in the sport of eventing and continue this involvement into their adult lives. The program seeks to promote a love of the sport as well as an appreciation and understanding of the horse while fostering the wonderful relationship that can develop between horse and rider. Further, involvement in this program helps to instill important moral values, such as responsibility and work ethic, as young riders grow into mature adults.

Mission of the USEA Young Rider Program:

• To encourage and support the sport of eventing in competitors 25 years of age and younger
• To offer support in achieving whatever goals a member aspires to in the sport of eventing
• To develop safe skills to maintain a healthy horse for competitive sport
• To offer support in the training and development of the horse and rider
• To make young riders aware of educational opportunities – coaching, course walks, clinics, camps, etc.– which will grow their horse management and riding skills
• To promote good sportsmanship and facilitation of working as a team member
• To field teams to compete at the USEF Young Rider Championships
• To develop potential member of the U.S. teams
• To develop camaraderie among young riders, thus, hopefully, developing life-long friendships and a commitment to the sport, which will be carried on as volunteers at local events, coaches, trainers, competitors, officials, land owners and consumers of equine products

USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships 2025

The Maryland International Horse Trials on June 27-29
Helpful Links for Championships  USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship | US Equestrian

Athletes interested in participating in the Championships must complete a USEF Area Declaration by May 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET.  The Area Declaration is located in an Athlete’s USEF Athlete Dasboard under Online Applications.

The qualifying period is January 1, 2024, through May 25, 2025. In addition to the USEF and FEI requirements to participate at each level, for the CCI3*, athletes will have to have an MER at a prior CCI3*-S within the qualifying period. For the CCI2*, athletes will have to have an MER at a prior CCI2*-S within the qualifying period.  Athletes participating in the CCI1* do not have any additional qualifications.

USEA Area VI Selectors & Selection Trials for the 2025 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships
The 2024 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships Selectors for Area VI are as follows:
1. Andrea Baxter     2. Amber Birtcil     3. Auburn Excell-Brady     4. Bec Braitling     5. Olivia Putrino

Selection Trials/Tryout Events
Area 6 will not have a mandatory outing. Riders are expected to compete at one or more of the observation trials listed below with at least one-horse trial and one FEI at the level they intend to compete at Championships. (For example, if the competitor is intending to compete at the CCI-1* level, that rider would need to complete a Modified Horse Trial with an MER and a CCI-1* S.)
February 14-16, 2025 Ram Tap Horse Trials
March 27-30, 2025 – Galway Downs International Horse Trials
April 10-13, 2025 – Twin Rivers Spring International
May 23-25, 2025 – Woodside Spring Horse Trials

The USEA Area VI Eventing Youth Championship Selection Committee shall name the 2025 Area VI USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship Teams based on the procedures and criteria set forth by the United States Eventing Federation (USEF).

The USEA Area VI Selectors’ evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
• The overall performance and soundness of the athlete/horse combination in various Eventing Competitions and/or CCI-S’s held within the qualifying period, with emphasis on dressage scores; current fitness; cross country and show jumping performance; jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, ride ability and speed.
• The demonstrated ability of the athlete/horse combination to success in Eventing Competitions, having considered all the factors mentioned above.
• Willingness of the athlete to work within the confines of the accreditation allocation.

Additional Requirements
– Each candidate will be required to complete 10 (a minimum of 7) Volunteer Hours in the twelve months prior to the Championships.
– These hours must be completed at a USEA Recognized Event.
– Hours must be recorded via the VIP (Volunteer Incentive Program) Dashboard (eventingvolunteers.com)

More Resources Available on: useventing.com