Edited Press Release

February 7, 2023 – The United States Eventing Association (USEA) and the Young Horse Show Series (YHS) are proud to announce their official collaboration in further supporting and promoting the development of young horse programs in the U.S., for sport horse breeders, owners, riders, and trainers. The YHS will now be taking ownership of the USEA Future Event Horse (FEH) program for the 2023 season. In turn, the USEA will be sponsoring their regional championships with FEH classes, and the existing YHS National Eventer Discipline Recognition Program.

Photo USEA

“We are excited for this partnership and the new possibilities it brings for our future event horses” said USEA CEO Rob Burk. “The USEA’s volunteer leaders have worked incredibly hard for over 15 years to develop this program. The USEA staff and its members have invested thousands of hours of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding into the FEH program, and we want to see it move into its next generation. The YHS has proven to be a strong program with very similar goals and a nearly identical structure to the FEH program, thus the connection is natural. By joining the FEH program with the YHS, we believe we will be able to expand the acknowledgement of our American breeders and improve the recognition of purpose-bred eventing horses around the world.”

Created in 2009 by Jean-Yves Tola with the help of the North American Studbook directors and professionals in the sport horse industry, the Young Horse Show Series (YHS) was designed to provide sport horse breeders, as well as owners, trainers, and riders of all disciplines an affordable way to introduce their young horses to the show environment. YHS allows young horses to “put on necessary mileage” with appropriate and special classes suitable for proper development. It is also intended to create a sales environment that brings together numerous young horses in a single location where their talents can be displayed in front of a buying audience.

“We are delighted with this new partnership and are looking forward to a continuing growth of opportunities and options for the young sport horses throughout the USA,” said Tola.

The USEA will continue to support the FEH program and YHS by providing financial support and promotion for the new classes, which are to be run by the YHS. The three pre-existing FEH Championship venues (Twin Rivers Ranch, Haras Hacienda, and Loch Moy Farm) will continue to run regional championships, but now under the YHS umbrella. The three regional championships will qualify for the national championships run by the YHS. The USEA will also allow FEH tests not recognized by the YHS to be registered as educational activities with the USEA, and therefore be eligible for liability insurance coverage through the association should they wish to do so.

While the USEA will no longer be tracking FEH scores on the USEA website, the YHS series will take over tracking scores within their program. Finally, all horses that are currently registered with FEH status through the USEA will receive a complimentary upgrade to Limited status as well. There is no adjustment necessary from account holders to take advantage of this benefit.

Photo TIEC

“The USEA is always striving to increase the visibility of our sport by highlighting our best,” said USEA President Lou Leslie. “By the Young Horse Show Series officially taking on the FEH program, our horses will be offered the opportunity to grow and expand across the broader horse industry nationwide, which could not happen if the program remained within the USEA. This opportunity will highlight eventing by allowing the growth of the FEH program and increased prominence outside of the USEA realm.”

The USEA looks forward to another successful year of Future Event Horse competition alongside the Young Horse Show Series. Any questions regarding this new partnership and the future of the FEH program can be directed at the Director of Programs and Marketing, Kate Lokey, at KLokey@useventing.com and USEA President, Lou Leslie, at president@useventing.com.

To learn more about the Young Horse Show Series and Young Horse Show Finals presented by Spy Coast Farm (hosted at Tryon International Equestrian Center), click here.

About the United States Eventing Association

The USEA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers, and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers a strong and continuous training opportunity for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing. To learn more, visit www.useventing.com.

About the USEA Future Event Horse Program

The USEA introduced the Future Event Horse Program in 2007 in response to the popularity of the already established USEA Young Event Horse Program. Where the YEH program assesses 4- and 5-year-old prospective event horses based on their performance, the FEH program evaluated yearlings, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds for their potential for the sport based on conformation and type. The FEH program will now be run by the Young Horse Show Series, under their umbrella.