Feb 05, 2024

2024 USEA EA21 Applications Are Open!

By Kate Lokey - USEA Staff
The 2024 USEA EA21 National Camp Athletes. USEA/Atalya Boytner photo

Applications for the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program are now available. The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent. The intention is to provide young athletes with access to an added level of horsemanship and riding skills in order to further their training and skill development with greater consistency.

Applications are open here, and are due no later than March 15, 2024, at midnight EST (9:00 p.m. PST). Late applications will not be accepted, please do not wait until the last day to apply. New in 2024, a $25 application fee will be required at the time of submission.

Athletes who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply to a regional clinic. Athletes may also be talent spotted; however, there is no guarantee that an athlete will be talent spotted.

  • Applicants should be 21 years or younger per FEI standards;
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a member in good standing of the USEA;
  • Applicants must be current and active members of their USEA Area Young Riders Program, and;
  • Applicants must be established at the Training level or higher (minimum of 4 MER’s at the Training level or higher)

The same eastern and western venues that hosted the regional clinics in 2023 have been selected to host the EA21 Regional Clinics again in 2024, but a new Central location has been selected to provide geographical ease. The Central clinic will now move to Longview Horse Park in Kansas City, Missouri. The five clinic dates and locations are as follows:

  • Central Clinic – Longview Horse Park (Kansas City, Missouri), June 18-19
  • East I Clinic - Morven Park International Equestrian Center (Leesburg, Virginia) on June 25-26
  • East II Clinic - Stable View Farm (Aiken, South Carolina), July 23-24
  • West I Clinic - Twin Rivers Ranch (Paso Robles, California), June 25-26
  • West II Clinic - Aspen Farms (Yelm, Washington), Aug. 13-14

The USEA will cover the regional clinic cost and stabling fees for all accepted applicants. Applicants will be responsible for travel and lodging costs. Athletes will be selected by the designated selectors within their Area of membership and invited to attend one clinic.

Each regional EA21 clinic will have a maximum capacity of 12 riders, and a wait list will be put together for each clinic. After the regional clinics have concluded, a select group of talented riders will be chosen from the regional clinics to participate in the national camp with EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor in Ocala, Florida, Dec. 31, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025.

Selection Criteria:

  • Competitiveness and desire to continue in the sport;
  • Ability and effectiveness in dressage, cross-country, show jumping;
  • Demonstration of horse welfare, stable management, general veterinary knowledge;
  • Willingness to learn from coaches, trainers, and peers;
  • Good sportsmanship and an ability to be a team player;
  • Ability to progress through the Performance Pathway;
  • Evidence of an effective work ethic;
  • Personal: loves horses and dedicated to the sport for the future;
  • Physical: athletic and coordinated;
  • Mental: positive attitude, willingness to learn/improve, inquisitive, competitive, educated to a level, and ability to concentrate

Selection Process:

  • Each Regional Clinic will host 12 invited participants;
  • Athletes will be chosen by the designated selectors in their Area of membership;
  • An applicant residing out of their Area can apply for any clinic and will be chosen by selectors from their Area of membership;
  • In the event of an overflow for a clinic, qualified candidates may be invited to attend one of the other regional clinics;
  • Applications are due by March 15, 2024, at midnight EST (9:00 p.m. PST);
  • Notification of invitation will be announced around April 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Click here for a guide on how to best fill out an application to campaign for yourself.

Jul 02, 2024 Educational Activities

USEA Educational Activity Highlight: Sherwood Forest Hunter Pace | Sherwood Oregon | July 13, 2024

What’s a Hunter Pace? The Sherwood Forest Equestrian Center's Hunter Pace is a cross-country-style course around Sherwood Forest over various natural obstacles/terrain. The course ends with a final treat for riders to take in stunning views of Mt. Hood with a loop through the old Far Hill Farms field. The beginning of the course will first start with a warm-up loop around show jumping obstacles in the outdoor ring at Sherwood Forest and then riders will continue directly onto the course. Sign up as a solo rider, pair, or team.

Jul 02, 2024 Profile

No Longer Dreaming: Claire Allen's Goal of Qualifying for USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship is Now Reality

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Jul 01, 2024 Competitions

Alliston’s Busy Weekend, Braitling’s Reuniting with Five-Star Mount, & Kalkman’s Advanced Victory Highlight Twin Rivers Summer H.T.

As he was finishing tacking up his horse in preparation to navigate the cross-country course at the 2024 Twin Rivers Summer Horse Trials, James Alliston expressed concern about navigating the 101 Freeway. That’s because as soon as he crossed the finish line aboard Intermediate level winner Addyson (Ampere x Nickerbocker) at 10:38 a.m. on Saturday—his fifth cross-country round of the morning with three at Preliminary and two at Intermediate—the West Coast-based five-star rider had to drive 185 miles on the 101 Freeway from Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California, to San Francisco International Airport to catch a 4:35 p.m. flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

Jul 01, 2024 Education

USEA Podcast #364: All Your Grooming Questions Answered

There is so much more to proper grooming than keeping your horse picture-perfect for the horse inspection. Good grooming practices are critical to proper horse management, no matter if you are planning for your next FEI appearance or your Starter level debut. To help you maximize your knowledge of grooming practices, we opened up the opportunity for USEA members to submit any questions they might have on our Instagram and Facebook stories. In this week's episode, Host Nicole Brown sits down with three of the highest-regarded grooms in this industry, Max Corcoran, Emma Ford, and Stephanie Simpson, and asks them all of your questions and more to help you perfect the art of grooming.

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