USEA Young Event Horse Program

Program Mission

The USEA Young Event Horse Program (YEH) is best described as an eventing talent search. YEH's first season as an official program of the USEA was in 2005. The program's goal is to identify young horses that possesses the talent and disposition that, with proper training, can excel in the uppermost levels of eventing. While the ultimate aim is to identify the future five-star horses, many fine event horses who will excel at the lower levels will also be showcased.

The Program gives owners and breeders the opportunity to showcase the potential of their four- and five-year-old horses while encouraging the breeding and development of top-level event horses for the future. Classes focus on education and preparation of the event horse in a correct and progressive manner. YEH Rules and Guidelines may be found here.

At qualifying events, horses are asked to complete two sections:

Dressage
Jumping Test/Gallop/General Impression

At Championships, horses are asked to complete three sections:

Dressage
Conformation/Type
Jumping Test/Gallop/General Impression

The USEA is now recognizing the nation's top 6-year-olds on a Preliminary leaderboard, and top 7-year-olds on an Intermediate leaderboard.

Requirements

Age: Horses are considered to be one year older on January 1 each year regardless of birth month. (Exception: Horses born in the Southern Hemisphere are considered to be one year older on August 1 regardless of their birth month. This new policy is being applied beginning in 2024)

4-year-old classes are for horses attaining four years of age in the current calendar year. 5-year-old classes are for horses attaining five years of age in the current calendar year.

At YEH Championships, horses born in the Southern Hemisphere will compete in the age category in which they qualified.

Membership: Membership in the USEA is required for both horse and rider.
Horse Registration: The USEA requires that all horses be registered with the USEA to participate in YEH classes. Registration will ensure that the horses' full pedigree and competition results will be maintained. Please provide a completed Horse Life Registration form to the USEA. If you have breed registry papers on your horse, send a photocopy along with the USEA HLR form. Thank you for your cooperation!

The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse Championships

East Coast Championships: Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, MD on October 17-18, 2024

West Coast Championships: Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA on October 25-26, 2024

Qualifications: In 2024, on the East Coast, horses must earn one score of a 75% or higher at any YEH qualifier event to be eligible for the East Coast Championships. To be eligible for the West Coast Championships, horses must earn one score of a 70% or higher at any YEH qualifier event.

For age verification at the USEA YEH Championships, entries must supply the following paperwork to the secretary: Registration Papers, Certificate of Pedigree, passport issued by a breed or sport horse registry approved by the Federation, or horse identification documents issued by a breed or sport registry approved by the Federation that states the registered name of the horse, the registry number of the horse and age.

Any entrant in the Championship without registration papers must be microchipped and may be asked to provide a signed veterinary statement identifying the horse by distinguishing markings and microchip number, and a written statement as to age at the time of the competition (no sooner than 30 days prior to the competition).

*For more information regarding the YEH Championships, please visit the YEH Championships webpage.