The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes 21 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.
“We have many talented up and coming riders in this country and we need to bridge the gap in their development as Young Riders to Professionals. The EA21 program is a huge and essential step in accomplishing that,” said EA21 Director of Coaching, David O’Connor. “This program has a vision of finding talented riders that is not just dependent on competition results, and starting them in a pipeline to gain access to the best coaching and opportunities that will develop them into not only excellent riders, but excellent horsemen/horsewomen.”
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 for a guide on how to best fill out an application to campaign for yourself.
Questions? contact Melanie Loschiavo at melanie.loschiavo@gmail.com
