USEA Area 1 Young Rider Program

January 2026

Happy New Year! Don't forget to renew your memberships for 2026 to be eligible for all of the great opportunities coming up this season! HOW TO RENEW PROGRAM MEMBERSHIP

YOUNG RIDER NEWS & UPDATES

We are seeking the help of parents and/or guardians to assist with the planning of our annual Spring Symposium. Tasks include, logistical planning and sponsorship outreach. If you are interested please contact, Symposium Coordinator, Chelsea Sprague, chelseasprague32@gmail.com.

We will be looking to fill seats on our Youth Council. Have your voice heard and help us plan and organize new and exciting opportunities for the entire Young Rider membership. Applications will open February 1.

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. 10 volunteer hours will be required to apply. 2025 volunteer hours DO count.

To be considered for the USEF Eventing Young Rider Championship Area 1 Team, you MUST submit an area declaration via your Athlete Dashboard on usef.org. 10 volunteer hours will be required to be considered in team selection. 2025 volunteer hours DO count.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

The educational opportunities for 2026 are now available. This includes clinics, camps, and symposiums that will be hosted by the Area 1 Young Rider Program. More information can be found here. 

• MAR 29 -- Area 1 Young Rider Program Spring Symposium | TBD
• MAY 15-17 -- USEA Mentorship Program at IEL Championships | Aiken, SC
• JUN 17 -- Area 1 Young Rider Program Summer Clinic | Amenia, NY
• JUN TBA -- USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program East I Clinic | Leesburg, VA
• JUN 26-29 -- USEA Mentorship Program at USEF YRC | Adamstown, MD
• JUL 13-16 -- Area 1 Young Rider Camp at GMHA | S. Woodstock, VT
• JUL TBA -- USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program East II Clinic | Aiken, SC
• AUG 12-13 -- Area 1 Emerging Athlete U21 Prep Camp | Norwich, VT
• AUG 25-30 -- USEA Mentorship Program at AECs | Lexington, KY
• TBA -- Area 1 Young Rider Program Fall Clinic | TBD

COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES

The competition opportunities for 2026 are now available. More information can be found here. 

• ALL SEASON LONG -- Area 1 Young Rider Virtual Team Challenge | Area 1 Events
• MAY 17 -- IEL Challenge at Course Brook Farm Spring H.T. | Sherborn, MA
• JUN 7 -- IEL Challenge at Apple Knoll Farm Spring H.T. | Millis, MA
• JUN 28 -- The Young and the Rest of Us at Larkin Hill Farm H.T. | Nassau, NY
• JUL 18 -- IEL Challenge at Course Brook Farm Summer H.T. | Sherborn, MA
• SEP 27 -- IEL Challenge at Course Brook Farm Fall H.T. | Sherborn, MA
• OCT 22-23 -- Team Challenge at Waredaca Classic 3-Day Event | Laytonsville, MD

CHAMPIONSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The championship opportunities for 2026 are now available. More information can be found here. 

• MAY 15-17 - USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Championships | Aiken, SC
• JUN 26-28 - USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships | Adamstown, MD
• JUL 22-26 - FEI Eventing U25 World Championships | Co. Cork, Ireland
• AUG 13-14 - USEA Area 1 Championships | S. Strafford, VT
• AUG 25-30 - USEA American Eventing Championships | Lexington, KY
• AUG 25-30 - Adams Horse Supply USEA Adult Team Championship | Lexington, KY
• OCT 8-11 - USEF Eventing National Championship League Final | Leesburg, VA
• OCT 8-11 - USEA/USEF Developing Horse National Championship | Leesburg, VA
• OCT 15-16 - USEA Young Event Horse Championships | Elkton, MD

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

USPC The Stanley R. and Martha C. Helbert Scholarship - Due March 31, 2026 

USPC The Jubilee Scholarship -- Due March 31, 2026

USPC The Bodgie Read Memorial Scholarship for Dressage & Event Riders -- Due March 31, 2026

USPC The Dorothy Renfro Memorial Scholarship -- Due March 31, 2026

USPC The Anson W.H. Taylor Memorial Scholarship -- Due March 31, 2026

USPC The Triple Crown Nutrition Scholarship -- Due March 31, 2026 

Jimmy Wofford Legacy Fund -- Due April 1, 2026

Maryland International Equestrian Foundation FEI Scholarship -- Due May 1, 2026

Race for Education Scholarship -- Due May 1, 2026

GMHA Young Equestrian Development Scholarships -- Due May 15, 2026

USEF Higher Education Equestrian Scholarships -- Due July 31, 2026

Broussard Charitable Foundation Trust Going Forward Grants -- Due September 15, 2026

Wilton Fair Fund - Due October 1, 2026

Richard Picked Memorial Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

Seema Sonnad Junior Rider Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

Essex Horse Trials Grant -- Due October 15, 2026

GMHA Virginia Lancaster Memorial Youth Fund -- Contact GMHA 

GMHA Junior Horsemanships Clinic Scholarship -- Contact GMHA 

GMHA Goeff and Joanie Nichols Youth Fund -- Contact GMHA

HELPFUL LINKS

USEA Young Riders

USEF Eventing

Funding Opportunities

Check out our social media channels below!