United States Eventing Association

Get a Taste of Eventing with the New Event Horse Program

Are you interested in competing in the sport of eventing but aren’t quite sure how to get started? Do you have a horse that is looking for a new career? Consider participating in a USEA New Event Horse (NEH) competition in 2023! The USEA NEH Program was created to be an introduction to the sport of eventing for both horse and rider, and the 2023 NEH Calendar is now available here.

Adapted from the USEA Young Event Horse Program, NEH classes are intended to assess a horse’s capability for eventing and provide a steppingstone to recognized eventing by focusing on education and preparation to begin competing in a correct and progressive manner. In NEH classes, horses are asked to compete in two sections: the dressage phase and the jumping test/gallop/general impression phase. The ultimate goal of the New Event Horse Program is to choose the horse that possesses the talent and mind set and who, with proper training, would be the horse most likely to become a competent, safe, and fun adult amateur, junior, or young rider horse at the Preliminary levels and below. USEA members with a Supporting Membership or higher and horses with a Limited Registration or higher are welcome to participate. Anyone who is not already registered with the USEA can do so the day of the competition as well.

View the list of 2023 USEA NEH competitions below, and keep in mind that the calendar is a preliminary, tentative list of competitions that is subject to change. New competitions can be added regularly, so members are encouraged to reach out to their favorite local events to encourage them to participate in the NEH program. Please continue to check here for any updates throughout the year.

2023 New Event Horse Calendar:

*There is no championship for the NEH program

Are you interested in hosting a USEA New Event Horse competition? Learn more about NEH program requirements here and contact staff liaison Kate Lokey at [email protected] to register.

Don’t see a USEA New Event Horse competition near you? Please contact your local USEA Horse Trial organizers to express interest and ask if they are willing to host the New Event Horse Program at their venue.

About the USEA New Event Horse (NEH) Program

The USEA New Event Horse (NEH) Program is designed to be an introduction to the sport of eventing for horse and rider. Adapted from the Young Event Horse Program, the NEH classes are intended to assess a horse’s capability for eventing and to provide a steppingstone to recognized eventing. New Event Horse classes focus on education and preparation to begin eventing in a correct and progressive manner. Horses are asked to complete two sections: dressage and jumping test/gallop/general impression.

While many outstanding upper-level prospects may find the New Event Horse classes helpful, these classes are intended to be more introductory in nature and to place a greater emphasis on temperament and suitability. The ultimate goal of the New Event Horse Program is to choose the horse that possesses the talent and mind set and who, with proper training, would be the horse most likely to become a competent, safe, and fun adult amateur, junior, or young rider horse at the Preliminary levels and below. Click here to learn more about the New Event Horse program.