Jan 16, 2022

Bring on the Babies: 2022 USEA FEH Calendar and Format Updates

By Kate Lokey - USEA Staff
Tina Fitch photo.

The USEA Future Event Horse Program (FEH) was introduced in 2007 to evaluate yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds for their suitability for the sport of eventing based on conformation and type. The FEH program also created a pipeline for horses to gain experience competing before attending USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) competitions.

Yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds have traditionally been evaluated in-hand while 4-year-olds are presented under saddle at qualifiers. Then at the USEA FEH Championships, the 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds have also been asked to canter and free-jump fences in a jump chute.

New this year, the FEH Committee proposed a format change to the 3-year-old division for the championships only. The USEA Board of Governors approved the format change for 2022, where 3-year-olds will not be presented in-hand around the triangle, but will instead be judged in-hand and at liberty in the jump chute. This means that the 3-year-olds will be stood in-hand for conformation and walking movements in the jump chute, and then will be let loose at liberty for trot and canter evaluation in a figure-eight pattern before jumping. This format change is for the Championships only, and 3-year-olds will continue to be judged in-hand in the triangle format for all qualifiers. Further explanations and documents outlining the changes will be available on the USEA website soon.

To qualify for the USEA FEH Championships, FEH horses must earn a minimum qualifying score of 72 percent at any qualifier to be eligible. Horses may qualify in any part of the country but may only compete in one Championship. The 4-year-old horses may also qualify for both the FEH and USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships but may only choose one program Championship to compete in, as they may not compete in both the FEH and YEH Championships in the same year.

Ready to get your baby horses out? Mark your calendar with the below FEH qualifiers, and please note that this FEH calendar is subject to additions, as various organizers may add FEH classes throughout the competition year.

2022 USEA Future Event Horse Calendar

Event

Dates

YEH/FEH at Florida Horse Park (Area III)February 22, 2022
YEH/FEH at Florida Horse Park (Area III)March 22, 2022

Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Area V)

March 25-27, 2022

YEH/FEH at Florida Horse Park (Area III)April 5, 2022

Pine Hill H.T. (Area V)

April 9, 2022

MDHT FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier (Area II)

April 10, 2022

Spokane Sport Horse Spring H.T. (Area VII)

May 12-15, 2022

Galway Downs Spring H.T. (Area VI)

May 13-15, 2022

Winona H.T. (Area VIII)

May 13-15, 2022

MDHT FEH/YEH/NEH Qualifier (Area II)

May 15, 2022

Twin Rivers Summer H.T. (Area VI)

June 30-July 3, 2022

The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm II (Area II)

July 15-17, 2022

Applewood Farm YEH/FEH Qualifier (Area II)July 16, 2022

Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. (Area VII)

August 5-7, 2022

Applewood Farm YEH/FEH Qualifier (Area III)August 17, 2022

Genesee Valley Riding & Driving Club H.T. (Area I)

August 20-21, 2022

Five Points H.T. (Area II)

September 10-11, 2022

Flying Cross Farm H.T. (Area VIII)

September 16-18, 2022

Stone Gate Farm H.T. (Area VIII)

September 16-18, 2022

Twin Rivers Fall International (Area VI)

September 22-25, 2022

Spokane Sport Horse Fall H.T. (Area VII)

September 29-October 2, 2022

East Coast Championships at Loch Moy Farm

September 17-18, 2022

Central Championships at Haras Hacienda

October 9, 2022

West Coast Championships at Twin Rivers Ranch

October 28-29, 2022

All three USEA FEH Championship venues also plan to host a last chance qualifier the day before their respective championships. These will be added to the calendar once they are fully registered by the organizers.

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

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

About the USEA Future Event Horse Program
The USEA introduced the Future Event Horse Program in 2007 in response to the popularity of the already established USEA Young Event Horse Program. Where the YEH program assesses 4- and 5-year-old prospective event horses based on their performance, the FEH program evaluates yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds for their potential for the sport based on conformation and type. Yearlings, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds are presented in-hand while 4-year-olds are presented under saddle at the walk, trot, and canter before being stripped of their tack and evaluated on their conformation. Divisions are separated by year and gender. At the Championships, 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds are also required to demonstrate their potential over fences in an additional free-jump division. Click here to learn more about the Future Event Horse Program.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Parker Equine Insurance, SmartPak, Standlee Premium Western Forage, Saratoga Horseworks, and The Jockey Club for sponsoring the Future Event Horse Program.

Mar 18, 2024 Interscholastic

Double the Fun for the Spirit Award Contests at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships

The coveted Spirit Award, which originated from the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship and quickly became as important as the competition itself, will be returning this year with double the excitement at the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships! With the two program championships merging for the first time, the organizing team at Stable View is committed to making the weekend an unforgettable experience for these middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Separate Spirit Contests will be offered for each program , and Stable View has generously donated perpetual trophies for the two contest champions. The 2024 USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Championships will be held at the Stable View Local Charities H.T. on May 4-5, 2024 in Aiken, SC. Click here to learn more and prepare to enter on opening day tomorrow, Tuesday, March 19!

Mar 17, 2024 Membership

Membership Minute: How Lucky I Am to Have My Horse

Sometimes all it takes is a little luck on your side to make your dreams come true. We recently asked our USEA membership to share why they feel so lucky to be partnered with the horses they compete with, and we received over 100 heartwarming stories! We compiled some of our favorites below in celebration of today’s luck-themed holiday.

Mar 16, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Passes the Test at SRF Carolina International CCI4*-S

With Paris Olympic team selection this summer as a big goal, Liz Halliday headed out onto Ian Stark’s CCI4*-S cross-country course today at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International hoping to make the time with Miks Master C and show off a smooth round. After leading the division from day 1’s dressage on a 22.5, Halliday was able to accomplish both things and win aboard Ocala Horse Properties’ and Deborah Palmer’s 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Mighty Magic x Qui Luma CBF).

Mar 15, 2024 Eventing News

Miks Master C Makes Easy Work of Show Jumping at SRF Carolina International

The standings after today’s CCI4*-S show jumping at the Setters’ Run Farm Carolina International shuffled with 14 double-clear rounds out of 35 to start, but Liz Halliday stayed right where she was at the top of the leaderboard aboard Miks Master C.

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