United States Eventing Association

Mark Your Calendars for the 2024 Young Event Horse Series

Get your young horse’s career started on the right foot by participating in the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program! The USEA established the Young Event Horse (YEH) program in 2004 to identify young horses that possess the talent and disposition to, with proper training, excel at the uppermost levels of the sport. While the goal of the YEH program is to identify horses that will be successful at the four- and five-star levels, horses with the potential for lower-level success are also showcased by the program every year.

Throughout the competition year, YEH classes are offered at venues around the country, giving 4- and 5-year-old horses the chance to gain invaluable experience in eventing. Each YEH event has dressage, jumping, galloping, and general impression components that offer an introductory format to the three phases of the sport. Whether you are looking to qualify for the 2024 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse Championships or simply give your young horse some competitive experience without the stress and pressure of a full horse trial, YEH classes are a great way to gain mileage with your equine partner.

To qualify for the 2024 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH East Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 75 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. To qualify for the 2024 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH West Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 70 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. More information on the 2024 Dutta Corp. USEA YEH Championships will be forthcoming.

If you are interested in learning more about the YEH format and training tips for young horses, consider attending the 2024 YEH Symposium in Ocala, FL on Tuesday, February 20. This two-part educational event is the perfect opportunity for interested riders, trainers, coaches and judges to learn more about the successful production of Young Event Horses. To learn more about the YEH Symposium, click here. The event is $50 per session or $100 for the full day of activities. To register, click here.

The 2024 USEA YEH Calendar is listed below, but please keep in mind that this is a 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 venues to ask them to participate in the YEH program. Please continue to check here for updates throughout the year.

2024 USEA Young Event Horse Calendar:

Don’t see a YEH event near you? Please contact your local USEA Horse Trial organizers to express interest in YEH classes and ask if they are willing to add them to their event.

For more information regarding the YEH Program, contact Kate Lokey at [email protected] or (703) 779-9897.

Helpful Links:

• YEH Calendar
• YEH Homepage
• 2024 YEH Symposium
• YEH Rules and Guidelines
• YEH Organizers Guidelines
• YEH Championship Information
• Holekamp/Turner Grant Information
• Entry Form for YEH Qualifiers
• Registration for Eventing Test: YEH, NEH

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 Bates Saddles, SmartPak, Standlee, Parker Equine Insurance, Capital Square, Kerrits, and The Jockey Club for sponsoring the Young Event Horse Program. Additionally, the USEA would like to thank The Dutta Corp., Title Sponsor of the Young Event Horse 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 round trip flight from the Eastern United States to Europe.