United States Eventing Association

Since 2015, the Holekamp/Turner Grant has awarded significant funds each year that enable a USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) graduate the opportunity to represent the United States in the FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships 7-year-old CCIYH3*-L at Mondial du Lion in France. This year, the Championships will be held on October 15-18, 2020 in Le Lion d ’Angers, France.

In 1993, Stephen Bradley had something to prove. It was the year after the Barcelona Olympic Games where Bradley had two unexpected refusals at the water complex. “It was very disappointing and a huge learning curve for me,” said Bradley. Little did he know, his path to redemption would result in winning the Burghley Horse Trials CCI4* (now CCI5*-L) – a victory so great that only two Americans have achieved: Bruce Davidson Sr. in 1974 and Bradley in 1993.

“This horse lacks the refinement you’d generally see in the upper level event horse,” Chris Ryan first observed of this 5-year-old Morgan mare. “This is more of what I’d consider a pleasure type. Remember, conformation does not rely on breed type but is a straight study of physique.”

“We are continuing to monitor the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic and are committed to hosting a safe and healthy competition for all AEC competitors,” said EEI Executive Director, Lee Carter. “Along with Mary Fike and the team at the USEA, we will be implementing the appropriate safety measures as recommended by the USEF, CDC, state, and local authorities. At the same time, we are focused on making the 2020 AEC a memorable experience for all our human and equine athletes.”

Today would have been the final day of the 2020 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships but, due to COVID-19, the Championships, much like many other sporting events around the world, were canceled. Although the Championships didn’t occur this year, memories from last year’s Championships still hold strong with the winning teams. Out of the four years of having a USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship, Auburn University has taken home the national title twice (in 2018 and 2019).

In honor of what would have been the fifth annual USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, let’s celebrate the past and learn how the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Program has evolved into what it is today. Over the past five years, the program has grown into a national program with unparalleled enthusiasm and it first started in 2014.

In 2006, the third year of the USEA Young Event Horse Program (YEH), there were 18 qualifiers on the YEH calendar and 20 horses that competed in the championships held at Morven Park in Leesburg, Virginia.

“This horse is a smart blood type with lots of quality and refinement,” Chris Ryan began his assessment of this 2-year-old Arabian Sport Horse stallion. “I love the ‘forward look’ of this individual. A horse who looks forward, with his eye and ear, thinks forward and generally goes forward!"

“Correct movement is not the same as scopey or extravagant movement,” said Susan Graham White, who has years of experience judging international event horses as well as future event horses. White, a USEF ‘S’ Eventing Judge, a Level 3 FEI Eventing Judge, and the Co-Chair of the USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) Committee, explains correct and flashy movement in event horses.

When training a young event horse, you should put a lot of emphasis on building strength and muscle so your horse can properly do their job. Using your time wisely and efficiently while on your horse is important and it helps you as the rider have a plan and a goal to stick to during your ride.