Young Event Horse Program

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 USEA Young Event Horse Championships

East Coast Championships: Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill in Elkton, MD on October 16-17, 2025

West Coast Championships: Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA on October 24-25, 2025

Qualifications: In 2025, 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. The YEH Committee voted to allow a last chance qualifier on the West Coast to be hosted the day before that championship. On the East Coast, qualifiers and qualifying scores are permitted up until the closing date of the competition.

Age Verification Requirements for Both Championships:

Age verification must be submitted with entries. The following are suitable forms of age verification that must be received: Registration Papers, (or) Certificate of Pedigree, (or) 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. There will be no exceptions.

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

The 2025 USEF/USEA Eventing Developing Horse National Championships for 6- and 7-year-olds

The USEF/USEA Eventing Developing Horse National Championships for 6- and 7-Year-Olds will be hosted at the Moren Park International & Fall Horse Trials on October 9-12, 2025. Classes will be offered at the CCI2-SYH level for the 6-year-olds and the CCI3-SYH for 7-year-olds. To learn more, click here.