United States Eventing Association

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is thrilled to announce the Young Event Horse (YEH) Series Calendar. A program of the USEA since 2005, YEH strives to identify talented young horses with the potential to excel at the highest levels of eventing in the years to come. The primary goal of the program is to spotlight future 4- and 5-star contenders and set them on a pathway toward long-term success in the sport. Start your young horse’s career on the right path by joining the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) program!

YEH classes are held at venues across the country throughout the competition season, offering 4- and 5-year-old horses valuable experience in eventing. Each event includes dressage, jumping, galloping, and general impression components, providing an introductory format to all three phases of the sport. Whether you are aiming to qualify for the 2026 USEA Young Horse Championships or simply looking to give your young horse positive competitive exposure without the demands of a full Horse Trial, YEH classes offer an excellent opportunity to build experience and confidence with your equine partner.

To qualify for the 2026 USEA Young Event Horse East Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 75 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. To qualify for the 2026 USEA Young Event Horse West Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 70 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event. Additional information on the 2026 USEA YEH Championships will be forthcoming.

YEH Championship hopefuls can also look forward to the Holekamp/Turner YEH Lion d’Angers Grant. This grant is awarded to the highest-scoring USEA Young Event Horse 5-year-old Championship competitor, combining results from both the East and West Coast Championships, who qualifies for Le Lion. The recipient will receive a cash grant to support travel to the FEI World Young Horse Championships at Mondial du Lion d’Angers in France, for the 7-year-old CCI3*-L championships. The intention of this grant is to further develop an upward pathway for future U.S. Eventing Team horses. Click here to learn more about the Holekamp/Turner YEH Grant and qualification requirements.

The 2026 USEA Young Event Horse Calendar is listed below. Please note that this is a tentative schedule and is subject to change. New competitions may be added throughout the season, and members are encouraged to reach out to their favorite local venues to express interest in hosting YEH classes. Please continue to check here for updates throughout the year.

2026 USEA Young Event Horse Calendar:

EVENT | DATE

Southern Pines HT and YEH Qualifier (Area II) | March 7-8

Middle Tennessee Pony Club YEH (Area VIII) | April 4

The Vista Spring YEH/NEH (Area III) | May 6

Spokane Sport Horse HT and YEH (Area VII) | May 14

Ocala Horse Trials YEH (Area III) | May 30

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club HT and YEH/OEH (Area VI) | June 12

Bucks County Horse Park YEH Qualifier (Area II) | June 20

Twin River Horse Trials and YEH/OEH (Area VI) | June 25

Full Moon Farm HT and YEH (Area II) | June 30

The Maryland Horse Trials and YEH (Area II) | July 10

Masterson Equestrian Trust YEH (Area II) | Aug. 8

Ocala Horse Trials YEH (Area III) | Aug. 15-16

Waredaca Horse Trials and YEH (Area II) | Aug. 15

Shepherd Ranch Pony Club HT and YEH/OEH (Area VI) | Aug. 21

Bucks County Horse Park YEH Qualifier (Area II) | Aug. 29

Middle Tennessee Pony Club YEH (Area VIII) | Sept. 13

Twin Rivers Horse Trials and YEH (Area VI) | Sept. 17

Spokane Sport Horse HT and YEH (Area VII) | Sept. 24

Don’t see a YEH event near you? Contact your local USEA horse trial organizers to express interest in YEH classes and ask if they would consider adding them to their event.

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

The Opportunity Event Horse (OEH) Program also exists as a stepping stone to the YEH program, or for horses not yet ready for YEH competition at their respective ages. Learn more about the OEH program here.

Helpful Links:

• YEH Calendar
• YEH Homepage
• 2026 YEH Symposium
• YEH Rules and Guidelines
• YEH Organizers Guidelines
• YEH Championship Information
• Holekamp/Turner Grant Information
• Entry Form for YEH/OEH Qualifiers
• Registration for Eventing Test: YEH/OEH

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, SmartEquine, 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.