Adamstown, Md. – Forty-four athlete-and-horse combinations representing seven of the USEA Areas, as well as Canada, will vie for championship honors this weekend for the 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships (EYRC). The three-day event runs Friday, June 26, through Sunday, June 28, at the Maryland International & Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm in Adamstown, Md.
The 2026 USEF Eventing Young Rider Championships serves as one of the premier proving grounds for the next generation of U.S. eventing talent, building a pipeline for the future. Drawing competitors from across the continent, the championships challenge young athletes in both a team and individual format, mirroring the structure of elite senior team events and major world championships.
Athletes and their horses will navigate all three phases over the course of the weekend. Eleven teams have been assembled across the CCIJ1*-Intro and CCIYJ2*-S divisions, with four teams and two individuals contesting the CCIJ1*-Intro and five teams and one individual in the CCIYJ2*-S. Two teams and one individual will compete in the CCIU253*-S. The cross-country course has again been designed by Andrew Heffernan (NED), with show jumping course design once more in the hands of Chris Barnard (USA).
Beyond the competition itself, the championships offer athletes a full slate of educational and community programming throughout the weekend. Young Riders took part in a YRC Centerline Workshop on Thursday, June 25, with dressage judge, Debbie Adams, ahead of the competition, and will have the opportunity to walk the cross-country course with Heffernan, and the show jumping course with Barnard on Saturday. A Beat the Heat Talk with professional FEI groom, Max Corcoran, is also scheduled for Friday to educate athletes about best practices to protect their horses and themselves when summer temperatures are high at home and at competitions.
Competition Information
Dressage kicks off the weekend on Friday, June 26, with the CCIU253*-S leading off, followed by the CCIJ1*-Intro at 11:00 a.m. E.T., and the CCIYJ2*-S to follow after the conclusion of the CCI2*-S. Cross-country gets underway Saturday, June 27, with the CCIU253*-S first on course, the CCIJ1*-Intro beginning at 3:00 p.m. E.T., and the CCIYJ2*-S to follow. Show jumping brings the championships to a close on Sunday, June 28, with the CCIU253*-S leading off, followed by the CCIYJ2*-S, and then the CCIJ1*-Intro at 9:00 a.m. E.T., with prize-giving taking place after the final jumping test.
Event Website | Schedule | Live Results
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The USEF International High Performance Programs and the USEF High Performance Pathway Programs are generously supported by the USET Foundation, the philanthropic partner to USEF. High Performance Program support is also provided by the USOPC and USEF sponsors and members.