United States Eventing Association

2025 USEA EA21 Applications Are Open!

Applications for the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program in 2025 are now available for those who meet the requirements to apply. 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, providing them with training and development.

Applications are open here, and are due no later than Saturday, March 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (8:59 p.m. Pacific Time). Late applications will not be accepted. Please do not wait until the last day to apply. 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 and list a second choice as a backup in the case that they are not selected for their primary choice. Athletes may also be talent spotted; however, there is no guarantee that an athlete will be talent spotted. The requirements to apply are as follows:

• 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 MERs at the Training level or higher)

The same eastern and western venues that hosted the regional clinics in 2024 have been selected to host the EA21 Regional Clinics again in 2025, but a new Central location has been selected and will now move to Chaps Equestrian Center in Bucyrus, Kansas. The five clinic locations are as follows:

• Central Clinic | Chaps Equestrian Center (Bucyrus, Kansas), coached by Shannon Lilley
• East I Clinic | Morven Park International Equestrian Center (Leesburg, Virginia), coached by Bec Braitling
• West I Clinic | Twin Rivers Ranch (Paso Robles, California), coached by Emily Mastervich
• East II Clinic | Stable View Farm (Aiken, South Carolina), coached by Rebecca Brown
• West II Clinic | Aspen Farms (Yelm, Washington), coached by Jan Byyny

*Regional clinics will all take place June-August, and exact dates will be posted later this month.

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. 30, 2025 – Jan. 3, 2026.

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 no later than March 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (8:59 p.m. Pacific Time). Late applications will not be accepted;
• Notification of invitation will be announced around mid-April, 2025.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

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

To learn more about the EA21 program visit here. For questions about the EA21 program and application process, please contact [email protected]