The mentorship program strives to give participants an intensive and personal experience in understanding the demands of officiating at a championship level event and encourage future involvement in the sport. The goal is that by experiencing competition from the inside, as a part of the officiating and management teams, participants will have the chance to seek out and identify new career paths and job opportunities and network towards future roles in the sport.
Applications are now open and can be accessed here.
Once selected, the USEA Mentorship Coordinator will assist the participants before, during, and after the championships with program requirements. Participants will be a part of their own collegiate teams during the championships and will be able to enjoy most team activities after competition hours, but they cannot compete, groom, or volunteer during mentorship participation.
Following the successful completion of the program, participants will be required to write a brief reflection on their experience for publication and may be asked to participate in other post-event promotions through the USEA. The program is free for qualified applicants between the ages of 16 and 25, but travel, accommodation, and meals will be at the applicant’s expense.
Benefits include:
- The opportunity to learn from some of the most prestigious event officials in the world
- Make connections and lasting relationships within the industry
- Resumé builder and education credit (based on school requirements)
- Experience and education in all aspects of an eventing competition
- The chance to be featured in the Eventing USA magazine and USEventing.com
Who can apply?
- Interested candidates must be 16 to 25 years of age.
- Candidates must be a current member of an Intercollegiate Eventing Program Team or a member of their Young Rider Area Program.
- Candidates must not be competing or volunteering at the selected event.
- Qualified candidates must fill out the USEA Youth Mentorship Program Application to be considered for the program.
- Intercollegiate & IEL Championships Mentorship Program Applications will be due to the USEA no later than Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
- The USEA Mentorship Coordinator, Holly Covey, will review the applications and contact the Collegiate Team Representatives or Young Rider Area Coordinators associated with the applicant, if necessary, for additional feedback.
- Selected participants will be contacted directly by the Mentorship Coordinator to confirm their spot, and an announcement will be made by Friday, May 1.
2026 MENTORSHIP PROGRAM CALENDAR
MAY 15-17 – USEA Interscholastic and Intercollegiate Eventing Championships | Aiken, SC
JUN 26-29 – USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships | Adamstown, MD
JUL 15-19 – The Event at Rebecca Farm | Kalispell, MT
TBD – Fall FEI Event (TBD) in Area II or III between September and October, 2026 – More details will be provided at a later date
IMPORTANT DATES:
APR 21 – Applications close for Mentorships at USEA IEL Championships
JUN 2 – Applications close for Mentorships at USEF YRC
JUN 23 – Applications close for Mentorships at Rebecca Farm
