Next week, 19 young riders who previously participated in one of the five regional USEA Emerging Athlete 21 Program (EA21) clinics will gather together in Ocala, Florida for the inaugural USEA EA21 National Camp. Each of these riders were handpicked by the USEA's EA21 Task Force Selection Team to participate in this continuing education opportunity led by EA21 Director of Coaching, David O'Connor. The camp officially kicks off on Monday, January 2, 2023 and will conclude on January 6, 2023. The official schedule is outlined below:
The Facts:
The five EA21 regional clinics were as follows:
The EA21 coaches worked with the selection team to select 19 riders for the 2022/2023 USEA EA21 national camp. They are listed below in alphabetical order:
For questions regarding the Emerging Athlete 21 Program, please email Kate Lokey at [email protected].
About the USEA Emerging Athletes 21 Program
The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes 21 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, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.
The USEA Emerging Athletes 21 Program was launched in 2022 with a model of five summertime regional clinics taught by selected USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) instructors, leading to a winter national camp consisting of selected Young Riders from the regional clinics. Athletes who are 21 years or younger, are current members of their USEA Young Rider Area program, and are established at the Training Level or higher, are eligible to apply for the EA21 program. Applications for the 2023 regional clinics will open in January/February, 2023.
The USEA would like to thank Kerrits, WeRideTogether, and Ride iQ for their support and sponsorship of the EA21 national camp.
United States Eventing Association (USEA) members from all over the country gathered on Friday afternoon for the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention Year End Awards Ceremony. The afternoon’s ceremony was led by Master of Ceremonies Jim Wolf and recognized riders, horses, and game-changers in the sport of eventing with multiple awards and grants.
The U.S. Equestrian Federation has announced the host location of the 2025-27 USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championship. They will take place at the Morven Park International & Fall Horse Trials in Leesburg, Virginia, from Oct, 9-12, 2025. The USEF/USEA Developing Horse National Championship will continue to feature two divisions—the first for 6-year-old horses competing at the CCI2*-S level, and the second for 7-year-old horses competing at the CCI3*-S level.
As riders, we spend a lot of time focusing on the strengthening and fitness programs of our horses, but as Amy Gibbs, MPT, pointed out on Thursday afternoon at the 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention, setting aside time to focus on our own balance and strength is imperative, not only in helping us meet our goals as riders but also in ensuring we are riding in a safe and secure manner.
Say hello to Seattle, USEA members! The 2024 USEA Annual Meeting & Convention gets underway tomorrow and features four full days of educational seminars, committee meetings, and social gatherings all surrounding the sport of eventing! This year’s Convention takes place in Seattle, Washington, at The Westin Seattle from Dec. 12-15. Check out all of the items on this year's agenda that you won't want to miss!