United States Eventing Association

For the first time since the program’s inception, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to announce that prize money will be awarded at the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Championships on both the East and West Coasts this year. This milestone achievement is made possible through a new partnership with Goresbridge, one of the world’s premier sport horse auction houses.

As part of their commitment to supporting the future of eventing, Goresbridge will provide $1,000 in prize money to both the 4-year-old and 5-year-old YEH Champions at each coast’s championship. In addition, each winner will receive a certificate redeemable as a credit toward the purchase of a horse at the prestigious Goresbridge Go For Gold Sale, taking place in November of this year.

The 2025 USEA YEH East Coast Championships will be held Oct. 16–17 at the Maryland 5 Star in Elkton, Maryland, followed by the West Coast Championships on Oct. 24–25 at Twin Rivers Ranch in Paso Robles, California.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering such an important occasion in the world of eventing," said Ed Donohoe of Goresbridge. "It's great for us to have this opportunity to promote both Goresbridge and the Go For Gold sale to one of our most important markets. Customers in the USA have been great supporters of the sale, and our presence here allows us to showcase this year's Go For Gold sale, which offers the best young Irish event horses in the country."

“We’re incredibly grateful and excited to welcome Goresbridge as our first prize money sponsor for the YEH Championships—a milestone that reflects growing support for the future of the sport and the talent of young horses,” said Molly Pellegrini, YEH Committee Chair. “This partnership not only rewards excellence but also inspires the next generation of champions.”

The USEA Young Event Horse Championships are designed to identify and encourage the development of exceptional young event horses at the 4- and 5-year-old age group, showcasing their talent and potential for the upper levels of the sport. The addition of prize money and incentives from Goresbridge marks an exciting new chapter in the program’s continued growth and impact.

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 four- and five-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 The Dutta Corp., Goresbridge, ARMA, Bates Saddles, HorseWeek, The Jockey Club, Kerrits, Marshall+Sterling, Schneiders Saddlery, SmartPak, and Standlee for sponsoring the Young Event Horse Program and Championships.

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.