United States Eventing Association

Flatwork is the foundation for jumping, as most eventers know. And today, on the first day of the USEA Emerging Athlete (EA21) East I Regional Clinic at Morven Park, coach Shannon Lilley got down to the nitty-gritty of the German Training Scale to help 12 riders with their own horses and on their briefly borrowed mounts at the end of each session when they swapped horses with their lesson partner.

Upon completion of the flatwork session during the first day of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) Central Clinic, EA21 coach Bec Braitling allowed the 12 participants to play a heavy hand in designing the show jumping course for day two.

Each of the twelve riders selected to participate in the 2024 USEA Emerging Athlete U21 (EA21) Central Regional Clinic comes from different backgrounds. Some have begun their FEI careers, while others are gearing up for a Modified move up, some are on experienced schoolmasters, while others are on catch rides or greener horses. EA21 Coach Bec Braitling took that into account when brainstorming what the lesson plan for flatwork day at the Central Clinic might look like.

A good canter with a consistent rhythm was the key to success during day two at the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) West II regional clinic at Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington. During the morning lecture that kicked off the day's educational activities, Brown recounted a lesson that she was taught by U.S. show jumper and Olympic gold medalist, Joe Fargis, that "there is no smoke and mirrors in riding. If you sit on the horse well, the horse will go well. Simpler is better." Brown built on this theory throughout the rest of the day, consistently returning to the German training scale and reliance on the flatwork to find success over the fences.

This week, USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) and ECP Level IV coach, Rebecca Brown of Dallas, Texas, is back on the West coast at Aspen Farms in Yelm, Washington to teach twelve talented Young Riders at the EA21 West II Regional Clinic. Day one started with a dressage lecture from Brown, which focused on the German training scale and the varied uses of each part of the rider's body in communicating with their horse. These themes were then translated into the dressage lessons that followed throughout the morning.

A chilly morning dawned on the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 (EA21) Regional Clinic at Twin Rivers Ranch, headed by West Coast EA21 coach Rebecca Brown of Dallas, Texas. A woman who wears many hats and is supremely committed to the sport, Brown is an ECP Level 3 coach, FEI 4* rider, U.S. Dressage Federation bronze and silver medalist, co-chair of the USEA Young Rider Committee, member of the EA21 Task Force, and founding member of the EA21 program.

For riders at the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 (EA21) East I Regional Clinic, today’s dressage lessons with Advanced rider and Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) coach Shannon Lilley focused on the training scale as it relates to jumping.

After a lecture on Monday, 12 young riders rode in pairs in front of Lilley in the indoor arena at Morven Park International Equestrian Center in Leesburg, Virginia, on Tuesday.

The USEA Emerging Athlete (EA21) Central Region Clinic resumed at Holly Hill Farm in Benton, Louisiana, on Sunday, June 11. Rebecca “Bec” Braitling, USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) instructor, streamlined instruction with 12 pre-selected participants who may be vying for a spot at attending the national camp with EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor in January 2024.

Tomorrow, the first of five regional clinics for the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 (EA21) Program kicks off in the central region of the country in Benton, Louisiana, at Holly Hill Farm. Throughout the summer, the remaining clinics on the East and West Coast will follow. At each clinic, 12 hand-selected riders will participate in a two-day clinic led by USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) coaches. The purpose of the EA21 program is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency. The intention is to provide young athletes with access to an added level of horsemanship and riding skills to further their training and skill development with greater consistency.

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is pleased to announce the athletes selected for the 2022 USEA Emerging Athlete 21 (EA21) Program. USEA Young Rider program members aged 21 and under are eligible for the program, which aims to creates a pipeline for potential U.S. team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.