New Youth Team Competition Format: Eventing Youth Team Challenge
The craziness of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic brought an end to the North American Youth Championships – but hello 2021! US Equestrian has announced the development of a new youth team competition format for eventing athletes competing at the CCI* through CCI3* levels. The USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge is a new concept that will serve as an evolution of the North American Youth Championship for eventing. It will provide opportunities for more athletes to represent Area I in team competition throughout the year, and it will make Championships more doable as there will be separate East Coast and West Coast Championships.
The Challenge will include three levels with the following age requirements:
- CCI* for FEI ages 14-18
- CCI2* for FEI ages 14-21
- CCI3* for FEI ages 16-25
The series will consist of four to six CCI-S competitions hosted at locations across the country to make the program accessible to as many qualified youth athletes as possible. It will conclude with two CCI-L competitions, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast, at the end of the competition year.
East Coast
Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge Aiken (Stable View) – March 25-27, 2021 – Levels: CCI1*, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S – Aiken, S.C.
Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge Adamstown – July 2-4, 2021 – Levels: CCI1*, CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S – Adamstown, Md.
Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge Unionville – Sept. 15-19, 2021 – Levels: CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S – Unionville, Penn.
Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge – Area 1 CCI2* Team Wins at Unionville
The Area 1 CCI2* Team of Jack Curtis on Luska Candy Clover, Cassie Sanger on Danger Mouse, Lea Adams-Blackmore on Frostbite and Audrey Littlefield on Prince Renan came together for a winning performance at Plantation Field in Unionville, PA in September. Jack placed first among the YTC individuals, with Lea third, Cassie 4th and Audrey 9th.
Our Area 1 CCI3* riders, Jack Curtis on Playmate III and Ayden Schain on Fernhill Hole Shot scrambled with riders from Areas 3 and 5 to make a full team. They came out on top in the team competition and Jack placed 5th among YTC individuals.
Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge Ocala (World Equestrian Center) – October 21-23, 2021 – Levels: CCI2*-S, CCI3*-S – Ocala, Fla.
East Coast Final: Adequan/USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge Tryon – November 10-14, 2021 – Levels: CCI1*, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L – Tryon, N.C.
Each team will consist of three to four horse/athlete combinations to be chosen from qualified applicants by the USEA Area Selectors based on performance, soundness, experience, and suitability for the competition.
All interested athletes must submit an Area declaration and a one-time application for the upcoming competition year. ****The deadline for area declarations and team applications is February 15, 2021. The application is found on the Athlete Dashboard of your MY USEF account. Select Online Applications > Eventing > 2021 > Eventing Youth Team Challenge Area Declaration.
NOTE: This is an exciting opportunity for team competition. If you THINK you might be ready to compete at the CCI*, CCI2* or CCI3* level this year, consider putting your application in. The deadline is February 15th. You can not decide later in the year that you’d like to be considered for a team if you have not submitted an application by the deadline. You must submit your application by February 15th. You can, however, decide at any time during the year which level you would like to be considered for.
For More Information visit the Adequan® USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge FAQ.
Don’t hesitate to contact Area 1 Young Rider Coordinator, Melanie Loschiavo with your questions. melanie.loschiavo@gmail.com 802-279-6228
About the USEA Young Rider Program
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