Search
Become a Member
A young equestrian jumps a horse over a row of pink flowers during an outdoor event. The rider wears traditional attire, and the background features grass and other participants.
Youth Programs

US Equestrian’s Youth Programs encourage young riders through education, scholarships, and recognition, introducing them to diverse breeds and disciplines while supporting their growth and dedication to equestrian sport.
  1. Home
  2. Learning Center
  3. Youth Programs

Kids Club

Is your child passionate about horses? We can help them pursue that passion!
By joining our Kids Club, you will receive quarterly emails packed with resources to help your child learn more about horses, including:

  • Themed coloring pages
  • Fun activity pages and ideas centered around horses
  • Video content for beginner and young riders
  • Fun facts and hilarious horsey jokes
  • And so much more!
Sign Up Today
Three people walk a horse down a tree-lined path on a sunny day. The person in the center holds the reins, while the others walk alongside. Green grass and trees border the path in the background.

Learn to Ride

If your child would like to take riding lessons but you don’t have horse experience, it can be hard to know where to begin the search for the right instructor. Locate a trainer certified through the USDF Instructor/Trainer Program, USEA Instructors' Certification Program (ICP), USHJA Trainer Certification Program, American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA), or Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). These organizations are affiliates or alliance partners of the USEF. However, the certified instructors are independent entities and are not agents of USEF.

This link is provided purely as a service and such information does not represent an endorsement or recommendation, (implied or otherwise) of the listed instructors.

For additional information, visit our online Learning Center, which includes such videos as "Your First Horseback Riding Lesson" and "Your First Horse Show," which are both available to members and non-members.

Three people stand outdoors with a horse that has a light mane and bridle. One person pets the horse’s face while the others stand nearby. The background features green grass and a fence.

Affiliate Youth Programs

American Hackney Horse Society American | American Morgan Horse Association

American Road Horse & Pony Association | American Saddlebred Horse Association

American Shetland Pony Club | Arabian Horse Association

Equestrian Vaulting USA | International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Assoc.

United States Dressage Federation | United States Eventing Association

United States Hunter Jumper Association | Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America

Western Dressage Association Of America

Alliance Partner Youth Programs

US Equestrian maintains a partnership with United States Pony Club, which is a the largest equine educational organization in North America. Started in 1954 and originally based on Great Britain’s The Pony Club, the curriculum teaches riding skills and the care of horses through mounted and unmounted lessons.

Learn More
A child with blonde hair, wearing a floral shirt and blue pants, grooms a horse’s leg in a stable. The child holds the hoof and uses a tool to clean it. The background includes a wooden wall and concrete floor.

US Equestrian Announces Dates and Location for 2026-2027 FEI North American Youth Championships for Dressage and Jumping

by US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 8/13/2025

(©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian) Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg, Mich., has been selected as the host venue for the 2026-2027 FEI North American Youth Championships for dressage and jumping. The championships will be held from July 28-August 2, 2026, with dates for 2027 to be confirmed. NAYC is the only FEI championship held annually in North America. “Traverse City in the summer is an incredible...

Gold-Medal Grace: The Making of a Champion at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships

by Danielle Henson/US Equestrian Communications Dept. | 8/11/2025

Christianson and her partner, FHF Roulee (©US Equestrian) At just 13 years old, Grace Christianson made history at the 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), sweeping all three gold medals in the inaugural Children’s Dressage division and earning the highest score of the entire dressage competition. Christianson and her mount, FHF Roulee, delivered a record-breaking score of 81.116% in the Individual Final to cap off a standout week in Traverse City. The pair also topped...

Skylar Wireman and Philippa Ammann are Golden at 2025 FEI North American Youth Championships

by Traverse City Horse Shows (Edited Press Release) | 8/4/2025

The Young Rider Individual Podium: Alexa Elle Lignelli, Skylar Wireman, and Olivia Sweetnam (©Avery Wallace/US Equestrian) Traverse City, Mich. – The 2025 Gotham North/FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships (NAYC), presented by USHJA, wrapped on Sunday with individual medals being presented to young rider and junior athletes at Traverse City Horse Shows’ Flintfields Horse Park to close out week five of the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival. Long Road Ends in Double Gold...