United States Eventing Association

Show Off Your Young Event Horse at a 2021 USEA YEH Event

Established in 2004 as an eventing talent search like similar events in Europe, the United States Eventing Association (USEA) Young Event Horse (YEH) Program was designed 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.

Throughout the year, USEA Young Event Horse classes are offered at competitions around the country, giving 4- and 5-year-old horses the chance to gain experience in eventing and show off their skills under saddle in dressage and over fences in a hybrid jumping and galloping test. Whether you are looking to qualify for the 2021 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 trials, YEH classes are a great way to introduce your young horse to the sport of eventing.

In order to qualify for the 2021 Dutta Corp. 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 2021 Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse West Coast Championships, horses must earn a score of 70 percent or higher at any YEH qualifying event.

Ready to get out there and compete? Check out the 2021 calendar of YEH events:

2021 USEA Young Event Horse Calendar

The calendar of YEH events is updated periodically throughout the year. Please click here for the most up-to-date calendar information.

Don’t see a YEH event near you? Please contact your local USEA Horse Trial organizers to express interest in attending 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.

About the USEA Young Event Horse 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, 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 Hay Company, Parker Equine Insurance, and Etalon Diagnostics 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.