United States Eventing Association

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is proud to host the 2026 Young Event Horse (YEH) Symposium in Ocala, Florida. The event will be an in-depth day of education, demonstrations, and discussion focused on developing the next generation of top event horses. Taking place on Monday, February 16, the symposium will feature two immersive sessions hosted at Majestic Oaks and Longwood Farm, offering participants valuable insight into the process of identifying, producing, and preparing young event horse prospects for long-term success in the sport.

The morning educational session will take place at Majestic Oaks from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be guided by a panel of four top industry professionals, each representing a distinct perspective on the development of young event horses. The goal of this session is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of what makes a successful young event horse, from early education to future potential.

Drawing from their varied backgrounds as a trainer, judge, rider, and veterinarian, the panelists will offer well-rounded insight into the many factors that influence a young event horse’s progression.

Morning Session Panelists

• Karen O’Connor – Trainer

Karen O’Connor brings decades of experience producing horses to the highest levels of eventing, with a career that includes Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American Games success. As a longtime trainer and mentor, she is widely respected for her systematic approach to developing young horses into confident and successful upper-level partners.

• Debbie Adams – YEH Judge

Debbie Adams is a USEF “S” Eventing Judge and experienced Young Event Horse judge with extensive hands-on experience evaluating and producing young prospects. As a trainer, organizer, and judge, she is known for her clear eye for quality, rideability, and long-term potential in young event horses.

• Caroline Pamukcu – Rider

Caroline Pamukcu is an accomplished international competitor and one of the leading producers of young event horses in the United States. Through her active competition and sales program, she regularly develops and markets young prospects, combining competitive insight with a strong understanding of what buyers and programs seek in future upper-level horses.

• Nathan Mitts, DVM – Veterinarian

Dr. Nathan Mitts is an equine sports medicine veterinarian whose work focuses on optimizing performance and longevity in equine athletes. His experience with developing sport horses offers valuable perspective on soundness, management, and decision-making throughout a young horse’s training and competitive career.

Rider Demonstrations

During the morning session, attendees will observe riders navigating a USEA Young Event Horse jumping course. The jumping phase consists of five show jumps, followed immediately by 10 cross-country obstacles and concluding with a gallop section. Each rider brings a unique mounted perspective to the discussion, helping illustrate how different approaches can support the development of young event horse prospects.

• Lauren Nicholson

Nicholson is an Olympic veteran and upper-level rider known for producing horses through the levels with consistency and care. She will ride an experienced upper-level event horse to demonstrate gallop quality and discuss how she develops this essential skill in her young prospects.

• Buck Davidson Jr.

Davidson is a longtime professional rider and trainer with extensive experience developing young horses into top-level competitors. His systematic, horse-first approach has helped shape numerous successful event horses and riders across the country.

• Alex O’Neal

O’Neal is a professional rider and trainer with a strong focus on developing young horses through the USEA Young Event Horse program. Known for producing confident, well-rounded prospects, he brings practical experience evaluating and preparing horses for future upper-level success.

• Mia Farley

Farley is an international-level competitor recognized for her thoughtful horsemanship and ability to develop young horses into competitive partners. Her success in bringing prospects through the levels highlights her skill in producing confident horses for long-term careers in eventing.

To register for the 2026 USEA Young Event Horse Symposium on Monday, February 16, visit the registration form, located here. The morning session takes place at Majestic Oaks (9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.) and the evening session at Longwood Farm (3:30–7:00 p.m.). Each session is available to register for $50, or participants may register for the full symposium experience for $90. Join us for an immersive day of education that offers practical insight into identifying, producing, and developing quality young event horses.

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.