United States Eventing Association

Qualification Reminders for the 2024 Classic Three-Day Series

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) is gearing up for another exciting year of Classic Series competition, which means it is the perfect time to review the qualification requirements for participation in these nostalgic events. In 2023, the Classic Three-Day Event Task Force successfully updated the qualification requirements for competing in all levels of the Classic Series to allow more members to experience the thrill of the chase. Keep reading if you are interested in entering one of seven Classic Three-Days offered across the country this year!

The USEA Board of Governors instituted an update to the Beginner Novice and Novice Classic Three-Day Event requirements as of May 1, 2023, which states that any competitor and horse that has achieved one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) as a combination at the Beginner Novice or Novice level, respectively, within 18 months of the start of a given Classic event will be qualified to compete at said level. Therefore, competitors and their horses will only need one MER as a combination at a Beginner Novice level or higher horse trials or event to compete in a Beginner Novice Classic Three-Day, or one MER as a combination at a Novice level or higher horse trials or event to compete in a Novice Classic Three-Day.

As of December 1, 2023, the USEF Rules for Eventing were also updated to mirror the USEA’s MER requirements for the Beginner Novice and Novice levels. Now, to compete in a Training, Modified, or Preliminary Classic Three-Day Event, any competitor and horse that has achieved one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) as a combination at the Training, Modified, or Preliminary level, respectively, within 24 months of the start of a given Classic event will also be qualified to compete at said level. The Classic Three-Day Task Force feels strongly that these events are a fantastic educational opportunity that can be utilized as a tool before a potential move up to the next level of competition, and these updated requirements are intended to let more competitors take advantage of the experience.

The official language for the updated qualification requirements for each level are as follows:

Beginner Novice Classic Three-Day Event (BN3D): Open to competitors of any age, on horses 4 years of age or older. The competitor and horse together must achieve one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at a recognized Beginner Novice level or higher horse trials or event. A competitor established at the Training Level may compete on a horse which has obtained a MER at the Beginner Novice Level or higher with a different rider. All qualifying competitions must be completed within 18 months of the start of the competition.

Novice Classic Three-Day Event (N3D): Open to Competitors of any age, on horses 4 years of age or older. The Competitor and horse together must achieve one or more Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at a recognized Novice level or higher horse trial or event. A Competitor established at the Training Level may compete on a horse which has obtained a MER at the Novice Level or higher with a different rider. All qualifying competitions must be completed within 18 months of the start of the competition.

Training Three-Day Event (T3D): Open to Athletes of any age, on Horses four years of age or older. Both the Athlete and the Horse as a combination must achieve one or more MERs at Horse Trials at the Training level or higher. An Athlete established at the Preliminary level may compete on a Horse which has obtained two MER’s at the Training level or higher. Qualifying Events must be completed within a 24-month period prior to the start of the Classic Three-Day Event.

Modified Three-Day Event: Open to Athletes of any age, on Horses five years of age or older. Both the Athlete and the Horse as a combination must achieve one or more MERs at Horse Trials at the Training level or higher or one at the Modified level or higher. An Athlete established at the Preliminary level may compete on a Horse which has obtained two MERs at the Training level or higher. Qualifying Events must be completed within a 24-month period prior to the start of the Classic Three-Day Event.

Preliminary Three-Day Event (P3D): Open to Athletes beginning the calendar year of their 14th birthday, on Horses five years of age or older. Both the Athlete and the Horse as a combination, must achieve one or more MERs at the Preliminary level or higher. Qualifying Events must be completed within a 24-month period prior to the start of the Classic Three-Day Event.

Are you interested in competing in a Classic Three-Day Event this year? View the 2024 calendar of events below and start planning your conditioning schedule to make it to your closest host venue:

2024 USEA Classic Series Schedule

Indiana Eventing Association (IEA) H.T. | May 31 – June 2, 2024 | Edinburgh, Indiana (Area VIII) | BN, N, T

Summer Coconino H.T. and Western Underground Inc. T, N, BN 3 Day Event | July 4-6, 2024 | Flagstaff, Arizona (Area X) | BN, N, T

The Event at Rebecca Farm | July 17-21, 2024 | Kalispell, Montana (Area VII) | N, T

Spokane Sport Horse 10th Annual Fall H.T. | September 26-29, 2024 | Spokane, Washington (Area VII) | BN, N, T

Hagyard Midsouth Three-Day Event | October 16-20, 2024 | Lexington, Kentucky (Area VIII) | N, T

Waredaca Classic Three-Day Event & H.T. | October 25-27, 2024 | Laytonsville, Maryland (Area II) | BN, N, T, M, P

Ram Tap H.T. & Classic 3-Day | November 15-17, 2024 | Fresno, California (Area VI) | BN, N, T

For more information about the USEA Classic Series, please contact Kaleigh Collett at [email protected]. For questions about qualifications, please contact Hannah Seagle at [email protected].

Helpful Links:

• Classic Series Qualifications
• Classic Series Guidelines
• The Classic Three-Day Event - Notes for Officials
• Veterinary Guidelines For Classic Series Events
• Entry Form for Classic Series
• Dressage Tests
  • Beginner Novice Three-Day
  • Novice Three-Day
  • Training Three-Day
  • Modified Three-Day
  • Preliminary Three-Day

About the USEA Classic Series

The USEA Classic Series keeps the spirit of the classic long ­format three­-day events alive for Beginner Novice through the Preliminary levels, including the Modified level as well. Competitors can experience the rush of endurance day, including roads and tracks, steeplechase, the vet box, and cross­-country, as well as participate in formal veterinary inspections and educational activities with experts on the ins and outs of competing in a long ­format three-­day event. Riders who compete in a USEA Classic Series event during the year will have the chance to win a variety of prizes at the events from USEA sponsors. Click here to learn more about the USEA Classic Series.

The USEA would like to thank bronze sponsors SmartPak Equine and D.G. Stackhouse & Ellis Saddles, as well as contributing sponsors Bates Saddles and Parker Equine Insurance for supporting the USEA Classic Series.