Feb 10, 2023

USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program Applications Are Open

By Kate Lokey - USEA Staff
Mipsy Media photo

Applications for the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program are now available. The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent. The intention is to provide young athletes with access to an added level of horsemanship and riding skills in order to further their training and skill development with greater consistency.

Applications are open here, and are due no later than March 15, 2023.

Athletes who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply to a regional clinic. Athletes may also be talent spotted; however, there is no guarantee that an athlete will be talent spotted.

  • Applicants should be 21 years or younger per FEI standards;
  • Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and a member of the USEA;
  • Applicants must be current and active members of their USEA Area Young Riders Program, and;
  • Applicants must be established at the Training level or higher (minimum of 4 MER’s at the Training level or higher)

The same five venues that hosted the regional clinics in 2022 have been selected to host the EA21 Regional Clinics again in 2023, but some venues have switched to earlier dates to avoid the late summer heat. There will once again be two East Coast clinics, two West Coast clinics, and one central clinic:

  • Central Clinic - Holly Hill Farm (Benton, La.) on Saturday-Sunday, June 10-11
  • East I Clinic - Morven Park International Equestrian Center (Leesburg, Va.) on Tuesday-Wednesday, June 27-28
  • East II Clinic - Stable View Farm (Aiken, S.C.) on Tuesday-Wednesday, July 25-26
  • West I Clinic - Twin Rivers Ranch (Paso Robles, Calif.) on Tuesday-Wednesday, June 27-28, and
  • West II Clinic - Aspen Farms (Yelm, Wash.) Tuesday-Wednesday, July 11-12

The USEA will cover the regional clinic cost and stabling fees for all accepted applicants. Applicants will be responsible for travel and lodging costs. Athletes will be selected by the designated selectors within their Area of membership and invited to attend one clinic.

Each regional EA21 clinic will have a maximum capacity of 12 riders, and a wait list will be put together for each clinic. After the regional clinics have concluded, a select group of talented riders will be chosen from the regional clinics to participate in the national camp with EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor in January 2024.

Selection Criteria:

  • Competitiveness and desire to continue in the sport;
  • Ability and effectiveness in dressage, cross-country, show jumping;
  • Demonstration of horse welfare, stable management, general veterinary knowledge;
  • Willingness to learn from coaches, trainers, and peers;
  • Good sportsmanship and an ability to be a “team player;”
  • Ability to progress through the Performance Pathway;
  • Evidence of an effective work ethic;
  • Personal: loves horses and dedicated to the sport for the future;
  • Physical: athletic and coordinated;
  • Mental: positive attitude, willingness to learn/improve, inquisitive, competitive, educated to a level, and ability to concentrate

Selection Process:

  • Each Regional Clinic will host 12 invited participants;
  • Athletes will be chosen by the designated selectors in their Area of membership;
  • An applicant residing out of their Area can apply for any clinic and will be chosen by selectors from their Area of membership;
  • In the event of an overflow for a clinic, qualified candidates may be invited to attend one of the other regional clinics;
  • Applications are due by March 15, 2023;
  • Notification of invitation will be announced around April 15, 2023;

CLICK HERE TO APPLY!

Click here for a guide on how to best fill out an application to campaign for yourself.

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Weekend Quick Links: March 30-April 2

Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.

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Many riders across all levels have found that working with young horses has provided them with the most valuable experiences in eventing. The opportunities for young event horses have never been more exciting. The Dutta Corp. USEA Young Event Horse East Coast and West Coast Championships continue to grow in profile as the culmination of a calendar of qualifying events is expanding to more areas of the country. More American riders and their young horses are aiming for the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships at Mondial du Lion in Le Lion D’Angers, France, particularly thanks to programs like the Holekamp/Turner YEH Lion d’Angers Grant. That’s become one of the most attended sporting events in the entire country. It’s given young event horses from the United States a chance to represent the growth of the American eventing community’s dedication to properly developing talent in the sport.

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Fast Facts: 2023 Galway Downs International

Galway Downs International Horse Trials, held in picturesque Temecula, California, will host the West Coast’s top riders this weekend as they prepare for their spring three-days, along with horse trials divisions from Advanced through Beginner Novice. This year features record turnout, with 320 entries across all divisions.

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