United States Eventing Association

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 Facts

• EA21 riders consist of members of the USEA Young Rider program who are aged 21 and under per FEI standards. The riders must be established at the Training level or higher (minimum 4 MER’s at the Training level or higher).
• The USEA received nearly 200 applications for the 2023 EA21 program, making this year’s class even more competitive than the inaugural year in 2022. A team of selectors carefully reviewed applications to determine the 60 riders that will participate in the five regional clinics.
• Each applicant was evaluated based on the following 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
• The USEA will cover the regional clinic cost, stabling fees and provide lunch each day for all accepted applicants. Applicants will be responsible for their own travel and lodging costs. Athletes will be contacted by the USEA and on-site Young Rider Coordinators with more information and scheduling.
• Thanks to the USEA EA21 sponsors, Kerrits, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine and WeRideTogether, all regional clinic participants will receive custom merchandise.
• 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.
• David O’Connor will also mentor the ECP coaches selected for the regional clinics and will help to develop a curriculum that leads to the national camp.

The Clinics

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

The Coaches & Coordinators

• Central – Bec Braitling & Stephanie Reimers Tassos
• East I – Shannon Lilley & Chris Donovan
• West I – Rebecca Brown & Teresa Harcourt
• West II – Rebecca Brown & Kaleigh Collett
• East II – Emily Beshear & Shelley Ryan

The Participants

Central

East I

West I

West II

East II

The Schedules

Central | Holly Hill Farm | June 10-11

Friday, June 9

6:00 p.m. - Welcome meeting and dressage lecture

Saturday, June 10

7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Dressage lessons (two riders per group, one hour lesson per lesson)

1:00 p.m. - Lunch (provided by the USEA)

5:00 p.m. - Show jumping lecture and course set-up

6:00 p.m. - Group dinner and daily recap (riders only, parents and coaches are welcome to join after 7:00 p.m.)

Sunday, June 11

6:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Show jumping lessons (four riders per group, one and a half hours per lesson)

11:30 a.m. - Lunch (provided by the USEA) and cross-country lecture

East 1 | Morven Park | June 27-28

Monday, June 26

5:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Welcome meeting and dressage lecture

Tuesday, June 27

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Dressage lessons (two riders per group, one hour per lesson)

2:00 - Lunch (provided by the USEA)

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. - Set show jumping course

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Show jumping and cross-country lectures

Wednesday, June 28

8:00 - 1:00 p.m. - Show jumping lessons (three riders per group, one hour and 15 minutes per lesson)

1:30 - Lunch (provided by the USEA) and Q&A session wrap-up

West I | Twin Rivers Ranch | June 27-28

Tuesday, June 27

8:00 a.m. - Dressage lecture

9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Dressage lessons (three riders per group, one hour per lesson)

1:30 p.m. - Lunch (provided by the USEA)

2:00 p.m. - Set show jumping course

6:00 p.m. - Group dinner (provided by the USEA) and cross-country lecture

Wednesday, June 28

7:45 a.m. - Show jumping lecture

9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Show jumping lessons (four riders per group, one hour and 15 minutes per lesson)

East II | Stable View Farm | July 25-26

Monday, July 24

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Meet and greet with dressage lecture in the Pavilion

Tuesday, July 25

7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Dressage lessons in the Covered Arena (two riders per group, one hour per lesson)

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Lunch (provided by the USEA) and show jumping lecture in the Pavilion

3:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Show jumping course set-up in the Covered Arena

4:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Horse and stable management discussion and demo (riders are encouraged to submit topic requests to Emily)

5:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Dinner and cross-country video viewing in the Pavilion

Wednesday, July 26

7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Show jumping lessons in the Covered Arena (three riders per group, one and a half hour lessons)

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. - Lunch and clinic wrap up with Q&A in the Pavilion

West II - More information regarding daily schedules will be provided by your coach and on-site coordinator prior to the clinic.

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About the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program (EA21)

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, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.

The USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program was launched in 2022 with a model of five summertime regional clinics taught by selected USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) instructors, leading to a winter national camp consisting of selected Young Riders from the regional clinics. Athletes who are 21 years or younger, are current members of their USEA Young Rider Area program, and are established at the Training Level or higher, are eligible to apply for the EA21 program. Click here to learn more about the USEA EA21 Program.

The USEA would like to thank Kerrits, Ride iQ, Sidelines Magazine and WeRideTogether for sponsoring the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program.