United States Eventing Association

The USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) is set to return for another exciting season of regional clinics this summer. Five clinics will take place across the United States, with each location hosting 12 hand-selected riders for a two-day immersive educational opportunity led by ECP-certified EA21 Coaches.

The purpose of the EA21 Program is to identify and provide consistent, high-quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The program aims to create a pipeline for future team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and fostering consistency both in and out of the saddle.

As the 2026 EA21 Regional Clinics get underway, learn more about the program and the talented athletes who have been selected to participate in this year's educational experience.

The Facts

• EA21 riders consist of members of the USEA Young Rider Program who are aged 21 and under, per FEI standards. Riders must be established at the Training level or higher, with a minimum of four MERs at the Training level or above.
• The USEA received over 160 highly qualified applications for the 2026 EA21 Program. Selections begin with rankings submitted by Area selectors, followed by a comprehensive review of Area rankings and applications by a team of EA21 selectors to determine the 60 riders who will participate in the five regional clinics. Selection Guidelines may be found here.
• Each applicant was evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • Competitiveness and desire to continue in the sport;
  • Ability and effectiveness in dressage, cross-country, and show jumping;
  • Demonstration of horse welfare, stable management, and general veterinary knowledge;
  • Willingness to learn from coaches, trainers, and peers;
  • Good sportsmanship and an ability to be a team player;
  • Ability to progress through the Performance Pathway;
  • Evidence of an effective work ethic.

• The USEA will cover the regional clinic cost, stabling fees, and provide lunch each day for all accepted applicants, as well as one team dinner. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. Athletes will receive additional information and scheduling details from the USEA and on-site Young Rider Coordinators prior to their clinic.
• Because of financial assistance available through the Poggio Fund, the USEA is able to pay for one groom, selected by the USEA Grooms Committee, to be on-site for the EA21 Regional Clinics providing horsemanship and grooming guidance during lectures and in the barns while tacking up for all athletes.
• Thanks to the generous support of EA21 sponsors—including ARMA, Bates Saddles, GGT Footing, Horse Illustrated, Kerrits, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, WeRideTogether, YETI, and 100xEquine ——all regional clinic participants will receive wonderful merchandise and accessories. This year, athletes and family members were also offered the chance to purchase custom USEA EA21 polos to wear!
• This fall, a select group of athletes who participate in the regional clinics will be invited to attend the 2026-2027 EA21 National Camp in Ocala, Florida. The National Camp will be led by EA21 Director of Coaching David O’Connor and will provide participants with an advanced educational experience designed to further develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success at the upper levels of the sport.
• O’Connor will also continue to mentor the ECP Regional Clinic Coaches and help develop a curriculum that creates a clear pathway from the regional clinics to the National Camp experience.
• All EA21 Regional Clinics riding sessions are free for auditing to anyone who wishes to attend. Classroom sessions are closed to the selected and alternate athletes only.

The Clinics

• Central Clinic - Chaps Equestrian Center (Bucyrus, Kansas) on Tues-Wed, June 16-17, 2026 | Coached by Ashley Johnson
• East I Clinic - Morven Park International Equestrian Center (Leesburg, Virginia) on Tues-Wed, June 16-17, 2026 | Coached by Bec Braitling
• West I Clinic - Twin Rivers Ranch (Paso Robles, California) on Tues-Wed, June 16-17, 2026 | Coached by Emily Mastervich
• East II Clinic - Stable View (Aiken, South Carolina) on Tues-Wed, July 28-29, 2026 | Coached by Rebecca Brown. UPDATE: now coached by Emily Mastervich
• West II Clinic - Aspen Farms (Yelm, Washington) on Tues-Wed, Aug 11-12, 2026 | Coached by Jan Byyny

The Coaches & Coordinators

• East I - Coach Bec Braitling
• East II - Coach Rebecca Brown - Emily Mastervich
• Central - Coach Ashley Johnson
• West I - Coach Emily Mastervich
• West II - Coach Jan Byyny

The Athletes

Central

Ava Davis Olivia Fry Sierra Fishell Addison Hagan Mia Holstein Ell Munsat Olivia Pratt Adelyn Rinehart

Charlotte Schaef Willow Schwartz Wierra Thomas Elle White Rayna Williams ALTERNATES (1) Carter Jackson (2) Eva Taylor

East I

Jaelyn Comer Isabella Craft Laurel Curry Reese Dellangelo Megan Hopkins Carlin Keefe Lyman Ordway Emerson Padgett

Emerson Padgett James Power Annabelle Sprague Elle Stephenson Riley Zgrebnak ALTERNATES (1) Merritt Sheffield (2) Margaret Hoover

East II

Addison Borton Kaitlyn Cobey Catherine Frank Audri Hoos Kennady Langmo Victoria McCallum Nicole Nair Julie Pinell

Trinity Sachau-Sherman Katelyn Smith Piper Van Tassel Jake Tessler ALTERNATES (1) Kiera McKeon (2) Molly McLaughlin

West I

Laruen Bebb Megan Bebb Paige Beauchamp Crandon Olivia Keye Salma Kuhlmann Fiona Lempres

Jillian Mader Soobin Oh Anya Ostrovsky Kylie Scott Nadia Vogt Maya Zechman

West II

Camille Batoy Simone Clark Annabelle Davis Lindsay Essex Alexis Johnson Izzy Lenk

Flynn Patinkin Brianna Rasmussen Caterina Ritson EmmaLee Tanner Carson Vogt Zoe Weide

The Schedules

This post will be updated as schedules for later camps become available.

All selected and waitlisted athletes will also receive information via a WhatsApp group for their clinic.

Central | Chaps Equestrian Center

Monday, June 15th

• 5:30 p.m. | Welcome Meeting & Dressage Lecture

Tuesday, June 16th

• 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 1
• 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 2
• 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 3
• 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 4
• 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Dressage Group 5
• 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Dressage Group 6
• 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Lunch
• 2:00 p.m. | Horse Management session (riders only)
• 3:0 p.m. | Show Jumping Discussion & Course Setting
• 6:00 p.m. | Dinner and Daily Recap (Riders only)

Wednesday, June 17th

• 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Jumping Group 1 (Group TBD)
• 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Jumping Group 2 (Group TBD)
• 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. | Jumping Group 3 (Group TBD)
• 12:00 p.m. | Lunch and Wrap Up Lecture

East I | Morven Park

Monday, June 15th

• 5:30 p.m. | Welcome Meeting & Dressage Lecture

Tuesday, June 16th

• 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 1 | Jaelyn and Reese
• 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 2 | Isabella and Carlin
• 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Dressage Group 3 | Lyman and James
• 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. | Dressage Group 4 | Megan and Laurel
• 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Dressage Group 5 | Emerson and Riley
• 12:30 p.m. | Lunch arrives (Athletes can eat in between riding and auditing)
• 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Dressage Group 6 | Elle and Annabelle
• 2:30 p.m. | Horse Management session
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Show Jumping Discussion & Course Setting
• 6:00 p.m. | Dinner and Daily Recap (Riders only, no parents or coaches please until after 7:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, June 17th

• 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Jumping Group 1 (Group TBD)
• 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Jumping Group 2 (Group TBD)
• 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Jumping Group 3 (Group TBD)
• 12:30 p.m. | Lunch and Wrap Up Lecture

West I | Twin Rivers

Monday, June 15th

• 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Meet & Greet, EA21 Program Overview, and Dressage Lecture
  • Dinner provided courtesy of the USEA Area VI Young Riders

Tuesday, June 16th

• 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Dressage Lessons (1 hour per pair)
• 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Lunch Break, Dressage Debrief, Q&A, and Grooms Presentation
• 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Horse & Stable Management Discussion
• 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Show Jumping Discussion & Course Setting
• 6:00 p.m. | Dinner and Cross-Country Discussion

Wednesday, June 17th

• 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Jump Lessons (1.5 hour per group)
• 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Lunch and Wrap Up Lecture

East II | Stable View

TBA

West II | Aspen Farm

TBA

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About the USEA Emerging Athlete U21 Program (EA21)

The purpose of the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program (EA21) is to identify and provide consistent quality instruction to the next generation of elite event riders. The aim is to create a pipeline for potential team riders by identifying and developing young talent, improving horsemanship and riding skills, and training and improving skills and consistency.

The USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program was launched in 2022 with a model of five summertime regional clinics taught by carefully selected USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) coaches, leading to a winter national camp consisting of selected Young Riders from the regional clinics. Athletes who are 21 years or younger, are current members of their USEA Young Rider Area program, and are established at the Training Level or higher, are eligible to apply for the EA21 program. Click here to learn more about the USEA EA21 Program.

The USEA would like to thank ARMA, Bates Saddles, GGT Footing, Horse Illustrated, Kerrits, PulseVet, Ride iQ, Schneiders Saddlery, Sidelines Magazine, WeRideTogether, YETI, and 100xEquine for sponsoring the USEA Emerging Athletes U21 Program.