Youth

Lexington, Ky. – Graduating high school seniors with plans to continue their equestrian journey in college have just weeks left to apply for the Higher Education Equestrian Scholarship . US Equestrian will award two $2,500 scholarships to students preparing to enter a college or university this fall, with all applications due to the USEF office no later than July 31, 2026 . The scholarship supports students interested in furthering their equestrian knowledge and skills throughout their...

Adamstown, Md. - Competition at the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships concluded with three individual and three team champions crowned across the CCIJ1*, CCIYJ2*-S, and CCI3U25*-S levels. The Championships were hosted by The Maryland International & Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm, from June 25-28, with cross-country courses designed by Andrew Heffernan (NED) and show jumping courses designed by Chris Barnard (USA). Competitors and grooms participated in various educational...

Before he became a teacher for a driven young rider, Figaro des Premices was an Olympic-experienced horse with a resume most eventers spend a lifetime chasing. He had seen the biggest stages the sport has to offer. Then, he found his way to Reese Dellangelo, a rider who got her first pony in 2020 and did her first event not long after, and the two of them got to work building something new. Dell'Angelo and Monte at the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Riders Championships (©US Equestrian)...

Anna Rose Erickson wasn't looking for a five-star horse. She was looking for something she could afford, a horse that would help her earn her Pony Club A, and maybe, if things went well, take her a little further than she'd been before. What she got was Unmarked Bills: a bay Thoroughbred with a five-star resume, an enormous ego, and absolutely no interest in being anyone's backup plan. Talley and Unmarked Bills at the 2019 Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event (©Shannon Brinkman)...

When twin athletes, Shannon and Ashley Zupan, representing Area II, arrived at Loch Moy Farm on Thursday morning, it wasn’t with their saddles in hand or their competition gear neatly packed. Instead, they stepped into a different but equally significant role, cheering on their teammates, lending a hand wherever needed, and soaking in every moment of the experience. The Zupan sisters are returning to the USEF Eventing Young Rider National Championships for a second consecutive year to...

For Katelyn Smith, the road to the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships began not in the competition arena, but at a small lesson barn down the road from her Marietta, Georgia, home. She was inspired by a group of school friends who convinced her to start taking lessons with them and give riding a try. What started as a once-a-week lesson gradually grew into a passion that has shaped her life ever since. HSH Henry (Photo courtesy of Katelyn Smith) Smith spent time in the hunter/jumper...

Traverse City, Mich. – Athletes, families, and supporters planning to attend the 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) are encouraged to make travel arrangements and secure accommodations as soon as possible, as the Traverse City area is a popular summer vacation destination with limited inventory. ©US Equestrian Traverse City offers a variety of lodging options to suit every budget, team, and travel style. Traverse City Horse Shows has partnered with several local...

Before sitting down for her interview with US Equestrian, 17-year-old Hannah Kim had just finished an AP exam. A day full of balancing academic rigor with a passion for the barn is pretty much Hannah's normal. Hannah, a saddle seat rider based in Tampa, Florida, is this month's USEF Interscholastic Athlete of the Month , and it's easy to see why. She's the definition of a student athlete: sharp, thoughtful, and deeply committed to both her studies and her sport. From Summer Camp...

Lexington, Ky . – US Equestrian would like to remind youth eventing athletes that the Area Declaration deadline for the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships is quickly approaching. The 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships will be held June 25–28, 2026, at The Maryland International and Horse Trials in Adamstown, Md. Athletes interested in competing must submit their USEF Area Declaration through their USEF Athlete Dashboard prior to May 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m....

Lexington, Ky. – The deadline for application submissions to compete at 2026 FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC), to be held in Traverse City, Mich., July 27 – August 2, is quickly approaching. Youth athletes competing in the disciplines of dressage and jumping are invited to submit their applications before the end of this year’s qualification period to be eligible to compete at the 2026 championship. Dressage For athletes who plan to compete in the 2026 FEI North...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian is pleased to announce the following athlete-and-horse combinations selected to represent USA Dressage at the 2026 Lier CDIOY and Hagen CDIOY. The athletes will be led by George Williams, the USEF Dressage High Performance Pathway Development Advisor and Youth Coach and USEF Team Leader, Lauren Moore. “These are four promising Young Riders and I’m thrilled they will have the opportunity to represent the US at such a premiere event and what is the...

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian would like to remind exhibitors and families planning to attend 2026 USEF Pony Finals Presented by Marshall + Sterling that they should make note of upcoming deadlines and additional reminders listed below. This year’s Pony Finals will take place Aug. 4-9 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky., and the prize list and schedule will be available soon. Cisy Zhou and Little Hollywood at the 2025 USEF Pony Finals Present by Marshall + Sterling...