Young Rider Program
The Young Riders Co-coordinators (2024-2026) are Jessica Robinette and Joanne Morse. Please contact them at area3youngriders@gmail.com.
The Interscholastic Eventing League Coordinator is Grace Pignatelli. Please contact her at gracepignatelli89@gmail.com.
The Area III Young Riders 2025 selectors are Ashley Johnson (FL), Lauren Eckardt (GA), Hilda Donahue (FL), and Waylon Roberts (SC).
What Is Young Riders?
It is a program offered through USEA for riders 25 and under to encourage younger members of all levels to become involved in the sport of Eventing. Through Young Riders, you will have the opportunity to train with Advanced level and International level riders, compete as a representative of the Area, and develop life-long friends and commitment to the sport. The Young Riders promotes good sportsmanship and the facilitation of working as a team member. The program encourages respect for the horse, without whom none of this is possible.
When you join the Area III Young Riders program you may participate in:
The annual summer camp (see below for 2025 info!)
Young Rider Clinics
Course walks at selected events with upper level riders
Low Score Awards at participating events
Team Challenges at participating events
And you are given the opportunity to:
Represent Area III at the USEF Young Rider Eventing Championship
Groom at the Young Rider Eventing Championship
Participate in the Mentorship Program
Travel Grants for Area III Young Riders
The purpose of the travel grant is to reimburse Adult Rider/Young Rider members for a portion of travel expenses for educational programs sponsored by USEA. For Adult Riders, programs include the Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) Workshops or Symposium, and for Young Riders, the grants are intended for regional or national clinics or participation in the Mentorship Program at YR Championships.
CRITERIA. To be eligible for a grant the individual must:
Be a member of the Area III Adult Riders or Area III Young Riders program prior to activity registration/selection.
Submit a request to the appropriate AR/YR Coordinator requesting a travel grant.
Provide proof of volunteering at least 8 hours at a recognized horse trials during the current
competition year (Dec-Nov).
A member is restricted to one travel grant per competition year (Dec-Nov).
Members receiving other grants through any USEF/USEA program are excluded from travel grant
eligibility.
AVAILABILITY. A maximum of 10 grants of up to $150 each will be awarded to reimburse travel expenses associated with the approved activity. Approved recipients are required to submit receipts to the area treasurer for reimbursement of up to $150. Members will be approved based on date of request and date of activity. After 10 grant award approvals, no further awards will be made during the current competition year.
Area III Clinics - info coming soon!
Summer Camp 2025 - info coming soon!
2025 Season Calendar for the Area III Young Riders Program - more info coming soon!
January
Jan 16 - 2025 Young Riders Championship Team declarations open
February
March
April
May
June
June 27-29 - Young Riders Championship at The Maryland International and Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD)
July
August
September
October
November
USEF Eventing Young Riders Championship 2025
The Championships are run at the CCI1*, CCI2*, and CCI3* levels. See the USEF Eventing Young Riders Championship page for more information.
2025 Championship date/location: The Maryland International and Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) - June 27-29
Qualifying Period: January 1, 2024 - May 25, 2025
USEF Area Declaration due May 1, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Committees for the Area III Young Riders Program
Your Area III Young Riders Coordinators are planning ahead for the 2025 season, and need members to contribute. The goal is to include representatives from every state in Area III, and social events to accompany the Team Challenges are also in discussion. Please contact Jessica and Joanne at area3youngriders@gmail.com if you're interested in joining any of these three committees:
Fundraising Committee - volunteers can be Young Riders, parents, and supporters
Youth Council Committee - volunteers can be Young Riders from every state in Area III
Team Challenge Committee - volunteers can be Young Riders, parents, and supporters Area III Young Riders Newsletters