The Maryland International + Horse Trials in Adamstown, Maryland, is going to be crawling with talented young riders ages 25 and under for the 2024 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (YRC). This year’s Championships has been transitioned from a fall long-format event to a summer short-format event to encourage participation and will offer CCI1*-S, CCI2*-S, and CCI3*-S Championship divisions.
The Field:
There are six teams of four riders, two teams of three riders, and seven individuals competing across the three levels in the Young Rider Championships this weekend. In total, 37 horse and rider pairs will compete in the YRC.
To be eligible to compete, horse and riders have to meet the following qualifications within the qualifying period of January 1, 2023 through May 26, 2024:
Athletes wishing to compete in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships CCI1* must have been born on or between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2010.
Athletes wishing to compete in USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships CCI2*-S must have been born on or between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2010.
Athletes wishing to compete in the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships CCI3*-S must have been born on or between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2008.
Athlete/horse combinations wishing to compete in the event must have met the minimum eligibility requirements as stated in the USEF Eventing Rules and FEI Eventing Rules for the relevant division.
There are riders representing six USEA areas and Canada across the various teams.
Three of the teams are “Scramble Teams” which feature riders from different USEA Areas, while the other three teams are comprised of athletes all from one Area.
One rider, Avery Tallman, has two horses entered in the CCI1*-S division. She will be competing Alison Tallman’s 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Rehy Investor (Orestus x Graigueahesia Jewel) for Team Canada and her own BDE Olympic Royale (Orestus x Shannondale Silver), a 8-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare, as an individual.
Eleven of this year’s 37 entries are past or present participants in the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 program (EA21).
In addition to the YRC, The Maryland International + H.T. will also be offering separate CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, CCI1*-S, Intermediate, Preliminary, Modified divisions, and Training divisions.
There are just over 180 entries across the board that will be competing at The Maryland International + H.T.
The USEA Young Rider Mentorship Program is back for 2024 and Izzy Lenk and Nicola Villarino were selected to participate at the YRC. Stay tuned for a write-up on their experience this weekend at www.useventing.com.
The Facts
Andrew Temkin (USA) is the Technical Delegate for the four-star with Martyn Johnson (GBR) assisting. Johnson will also serve as the Technical Delegate for both the three-star and two-star. Rumsey Keefe is the CCI1* Technical Delegate and the National Technical Delegate.
Peter Gray (CAN) is serving as President of the Ground Jury for the four-star. Marilyn Payne (USA) is the President of the Ground Jury for the two-star. Debbie Adams (USA) is the President of the Ground Jury for the three-star and one-star. Marilyn Payne (USA) is the President of the Ground Jury for the two-star.
Ian Stark (GBR) is the cross-country designer with Andrew Heffernan (GBR) assisting.
Chris Barnard (USA) is this year's show jumping course designer.
The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is excited to announce a request for expressions of interest to host the first standalone USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships in 2026 and 2027. With the success of the inaugural joint championships in 2024, the USEA is confident that the progression of these programs lends to a standalone event for these hardworking students in 5th through 12th grade and undergraduate college programs.
The USEA Annual Meeting & Convention is easily one of the most influential weeks in the sport of eventing in the U.S. and this year it is headed to Seattle, Washington, Dec. 12-15. USEA Podcast Host Nicole Brown talks about all the details surrounding this year's Convention with USEA CEO Rob Burk and USEA President Lou Leslie. From important discussions around safety and horsemanship to a charity poker tournament and more, there is so much going on in Seattle this year that you won't want to miss!
The following is an excerpt from 33 Strength and Fitness Workouts for Horses by equine training and conditioning expert Jec Aristotle Ballou. Strength routines and this workout are for horses and riders with a good existing level of fitness who are working toward increased strength and endurance.
Being the last rider in the final competition of the day can be an unenviable position. Molly Duda felt the pressure all day while gearing up for her ride on her own 15-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Disco Traveler (Donatelli x Cadence).
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