Feb 16, 2023

2023 Young Event Horse Calendar Now Available

By Kaleigh Collett - USEA Staff
USEA/ Meagan DeLisle photo

Start your young horse’s competition season off on the right foot by participating in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program! The USEA established the YEH program in 2004 to identify young horses that possess the talent and disposition to, with proper training, excel at the uppermost levels of the sport. While the goal of the YEH program is to identify horses that will be successful at the four- and five-star levels, horses with the potential for lower-level success are also showcased by the program.

Throughout the competition year, YEH classes are offered at competitions around the country, giving 4- and 5-year-old horses the chance to gain experience in eventing and show off their skills under saddle in dressage and over fences in a jumping and galloping test. Whether you're looking to qualify for the 2023 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse Championships or simply give your young horse some competitive experience without the stress and pressure of a full horse trials, YEH classes are a great way to introduce your young horse to the sport of eventing.

To qualify for the 2023 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 75 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. To qualify for the 2023 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 70 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. More information on the 2023 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH Championships will be available soon.

View the calendar of 2023 USEA YEH events below, and keep in mind that this is a tentative list of competitions that is subject to change. New competitions can be added regularly, so members are encouraged to reach out to their favorite local events to encourage them to participate in the YEH program. Please continue to check here for updates throughout the year.

2023 USEA Young Event Horse Calendar:

EVENT:DATE:
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Area V) March 24-26, 2023
Poplar Place April H.T. (Area III) April 14, 2023
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Area V) May 6-7, 2023
Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (Area VII) May 11-14, 2023
The Vista Spring YEH/FEH/NEH Qualifier (Area III) May 17, 2023
Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Area II) May 19-21, 2023
Virginia Horse Center Eventing (Area II) May 25-28, 2023
USEA MDHT FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier (Area II) May 28, 2023
Poplar Place June H.T. (Area III) June 2, 2023
The Spring Event at Archer H.T. (Area IX) June 2-4, 2023
Shepherd Ranch H.T. (Area VI) June 16-18, 2023
Woodloch Stable YEH/FEH/NEH Qualifier (Area IV) June 24, 2023
Larkin Hill H.T. (Area I) June 24-25, 2023
Twin Rivers Summer H.T. (Area VI) June 29 - July 2,2023
Chattahoochee Hills (Area III) July 7-9, 2023
Masterson Equestrian Trust (MET) YEH/NEH Qualifier (Area VIII) July 8, 2023
The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm II (Area II) July 14-16, 2023
Applewood Farm YEH/FEH & Mini Event (Area II) July 19, 2023
Hunt Club Farms H.T. (Area II) July 28-30, 2023
Waredaca Farm H.T. (Area II) August 19-20, 2023
Shepherd Ranch H.T. (Area VI) August 25-27, 2023
Five Points H.T. (Area II) September 9-10, 2023
Flora Lea Farm H.T. (Area II) September 9-10, 2023
Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Area VIII) September 14-17, 2023
USEA MDHT YEH/NEH Qualifier September 17, 2023
Twin Rivers Fall International (Area VI) September 21-24, 2023
Spokane Sport Horse 9th Annual Fall H.T. (Area VII) September 28 - October 1, 2023
The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships at Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill TBD
The Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers Ranch TBD

Don’t see a YEH event near you? Please contact your local USEA Horse Trial organizers to express interest in YEH classes and ask if they are willing to add them to their event.

For more information regarding the YEH Program, contact Kate Lokey at [email protected] or (703) 779-9897.

Helpful Links:

YEH Calendar

YEH Homepage

YEH Rules and Guidelines

YEH Organizers Guidelines

2023 YEH Championship Information

Holekamp/Turner Grant Information

Entry Form for YEH Qualifiers

About the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Program

The Young Event Horse (YEH) Program was first established in 2004 as an eventing talent search. Much like similar programs in Europe, the YEH program was designed to identify young horses aged 4- and 5 years old, that possess the talent and disposition to, with proper training, excel at the uppermost levels of the sport. The ultimate goal of the program is to distinguish horses with the potential to compete at the four- and five-star levels, but many fine horses that excel at the lower levels are also showcased by the program.

The YEH program provides an opportunity for breeders and owners to exhibit the potential of their young horses while encouraging the breeding and development of top event horses for the future. The program rewards horses who are educated and prepared in a correct and progressive manner. At qualifying events, youngsters complete a dressage test and a jumping/galloping/general impression phase. At Championships, young horses are also evaluated on their conformation in addition to the dressage test and jumping/galloping/general impression phase. Click here to learn more about the Young Event Horse Program.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, SmartPak, Standlee, Parker Equine Insurance, Capital Square, Kerrits, and The Jockey Club for sponsoring the Young Event Horse Program. Additionally, the USEA would like to thank The Dutta Corp., Title Sponsor of the Young Event Horse Championships.

About The Holekamp/Turner Grant

Founded in 2015 by Timothy and Cheryl Holekamp of New Spring Farm and Christine and T.J. Turner of Indian Creek Farm, the Holekamp/Turner Grant provides a USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championship competitor with the opportunity to represent the United States at the FEI Eventing World Breeding Championships in the 7-year-old CCIYH3*-L Championship at Mondial du Lion in Le Lion d’Angers, France. With the sole purpose of paving a clear pathway for U.S. team horses to progress in the sport of eventing, recipients who are North American bred will be awarded the full cash grant of $17,500, while imported horses are awarded $8,000. Additionally, The Dutta Corp. offers a prize to the Holekamp/Turner Grant recipient, consisting of a round trip flight from the eastern United States to Europe.

Sep 29, 2023 Education

The Eventing Coaches Program Focuses on Area and Regional Needs

The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) has initiated a renewed focus on the diverse challenges coaches in various regions of the country may be facing. To this end, the program is in the process of enlisting representatives in each of the 10 USEA areas to help guide the program as warranted for the unique needs of each specific area.

Sep 28, 2023 Awards

Nominations for 2023 USEA Appreciation Awards Now Open through October 29

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) has opened nominations for the annual appreciation awards through Oct. 29. This is an opportunity for the sport to recognize those horses and riders who excelled in eventing throughout the year. It is also an opportunity to recognize and honor the very important people who have served the sport tirelessly both in a non-riding capacity and riding capacity during their golden years.

Sep 28, 2023 Interscholastic

Stable View is Ramping Up for the 2024 Intercollegiate & IEL Championships

Anticipation for the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship is growing, and the host venue, Stable View, is up for the task of making both events an unforgettable experience for all involved. For the first time, the Intercollegiate and IEL program championships will be hosted on the same weekend at the Stable View H.T. in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 4-5, 2024, creating greater unity between the programs and demonstrating a clear pipeline of participation in the sport from grade school through college and beyond.

Sep 27, 2023 Rules

New Eventing Rule Changes Going into Effect October 1, 2023

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made five rule changes which will go into effect October 1, 2023. Familiarize yourself with these rule changes below to make sure you are in compliance before heading out for your next event.

Official Corporate Sponsors of the USEA

Official Joint Therapy Treatment of the USEA

Official Feed of the USEA

Official Saddle of the USEA

Official Real Estate Partner of the USEA

Official Equine Insurance of the USEA

Official Forage of the USEA

Official Supplement Feeding System of the USEA

Official Competition & Training Apparel of the USEA