United States Eventing Association

YEH Symposium Returns to Ocala on Feb. 20, 2024

The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and the USEA Young Event Horse (YEH) Committee are excited to invite you to the 2024 USEA YEH Symposium! This jam-packed day of education will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024 in Ocala, Florida, and will showcase the proper training and evaluation of young eventing prospects. The day will be split into a morning and evening session, each of which will be hosted by a panel of industry professionals and top international competitors guiding participants on the progression of Young Event Horses.

The YEH Symposium will begin with a morning session entitled “Evaluating Jumping, Galloping and Conformation” at Majestic Oaks Ocala. From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to evaluate young prospects’ jumping technique and ability with the help of a world class panel. The panel of experts, which will be announced later, will be composed of a rider with young horse experience, a YEH Judge and a veterinarian. With each demonstration, the panel will assess the horse’s jumping and galloping technique, discuss their potential improvement in performance through appropriate training, and the effects of their conformation on their performance and future soundness. There will be ample time for questions and discussions throughout the session, so participants can interact with the experts and gain valuable experience in training their eyes to assess the horses’ ability.

After a mid-day break to allow participants to take care of chores or ride if they are local to Ocala, the evening session will be a “YEH Masterclass” hosted by O’Neal Equestrian at Redtail Ridge Farm South. Participants will regroup at 5:00 p.m. to begin an educational and entertaining evening focused on the successful production of Young Event Horses. Three top international competitors will ride YEH prospects to demonstrate and discuss how to strengthen and improve a horse’s jump, how to build confidence, how to introduce narrow cross-country obstacles, and more! Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided for participants to enjoy as they watch the talented riders outline their process for paving the way to future success for their young horses.

For those interested in attending, the 2024 YEH Symposium will be $50 per session or $100 for the full day of learning. Participants will need to coordinate their own transportation to, from and between venues, as well as any materials they would like to bring to take notes. Seating options will be provided at both venues, while drinks and hors d’oeuvres will only be served during the evening session. Click here to register.

More information about the panelists and additional optional activities surrounding the Symposium will be forthcoming. If you have any questions about the 2024 YEH Symposium, please contact Kaleigh Collett at [email protected].

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 Bates Saddles, SmartPak, Standlee, Parker Equine Insurance, Capital Square, Kerrits, and The Jockey Club 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.