United States Eventing Association

Paso Robles, Ca.—Oct. 23— The 2026 USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) West Coast Championships kicked off with the dressage and conformation phases today at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, CA. James Alliston leads the 5-year-old championship with a 24.95 on Petey Alliston's Viodor (Vidar x Haupstutbuch Sibrensil), a German-bred Hanoverian gelding, and Ashley Loucks leads the 4-year-olds with Katie Ann Blanchard's Domina WSS (Dubarry x Funky Diva), bred by Keila Golden, from the historic Woodland Stallion Station in Sacramento.

Both divisions will crown their champion tomorrow with jumping starting at 9:30 a.m. PST.

Want to learn more about this year's USEA YEH West Coast Championships? Check out our Fast Facts article here.

Helpful Links:

• YEH Rules & Guidelines
• YEH Homepage
• USEA Prize List
• Schedule of Events
• Live Scoring
• USEA Event Coverage
• Ride Times

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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 Platinum Sponsor, The Dutta Corp., as well as Contributing Sponsors ARMA, Bates Saddles, CrossCountry App, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, Gallagher's Water, Gorsebridge Go For Gold, The Jockey Club, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, WeRideTogether and Standlee, and Prize Sponsor 100xEquine for sponsoring the USEA Young Event Horse Program.

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 $10,000 flight credit from the Eastern United States to Europe.