Objective: The Development Program aims to support athletes with the perceived talent and ability to reach Pre-Elite status within the next two to three years by focusing on developing the skills needed to progress up the Pathway.
Target: Goal of reaching Pre-Elite status within two to three years with a maximum of four years in the Development Program.
Review/Term: Athletes having met the criteria will be invited to the Program in December of each year. Athletes must partake in a required January Training Session in order to maintain membership in the Program. Athletes are reviewed annually for membership in the Program against their KPIs
Criteria for Development Training List
- Athlete/horse combinations must obtain one of the following results within the previous 12 months:
- CCI5*-L
- Finishing Score of 40 or below
- CCI4*-L
- Finishing Score of 36 or below
- CCI3*-L
- Finishing Score <= 33 with zero cross country jump and time penalties for horses 7 years and younger
- Finishing Score <= 30 with zero cross country jump and time penalties for horses 8 years and older
- CCI5*-L
- Commitment to learning- sports science medicine, business development, and personal development.
- The Development Coach, with support from the USEF Eventing Technical Advisor, additional athlete/horse combinations for selection to the Development Program that have not met the objective program criteria.
- Athletes will be required to submit 2023 training and competition plans for review within thirty days of being selected to the Development Program.
- Athletes must be an active Competing Member of the USEF and in good standing.
- Athletes who have previously participated on an Eventing Olympic Games, World Championship, or Pan American Games team are not eligible for the Development Program.
- Athletes that are 25 or under (by FEI Regulations) for 2023 and achieved the criteria at a CCI3*-L will remain in the Emerging Athlete Program.
- Athletes must retain the ride on the horse in which they achieved the qualifying score with. If they are no longer competing the horse, they will be removed from the program.
- Program participation is voluntary, however, if an athlete does not wish to participate in the program, they are not eligible to receive funding for the European Development Tour.
- The Development Coach, with support from the USEF Eventing Technical Advisor, additional athlete/horse combinations for selection to the Development Program that have not met the objective program criteria.
Criteria for Retention on the Development Program
- Athletes that are based in the U.S. will be required to participates in a 4-day training session in Ocala, Florida January 30-Feberuary 2. The training session will incorporate the Human and Equine Sports Science program, as well as mounted training with the Development Coach, Leslie Law.
- Participate in 6 month reviews and agree on targets and KPIs with the Development Coach.
- Meet targets and KPIs or agree on a performance plan to attain them in the future
- Communicate with the Development Coach on their overall programs, competition plans and training.
- Maintain horse power, at least capable of, achieving the criteria for Selection
- Plan for horse power to match necessary pathway progression and long-term goals
- Remain a Member of USEF in good standing
- Athletes must retain the ride on the horse in which they achieved the qualifying score with. If they are no longer competing the horse, they will be removed from the program.
- Program participation is voluntary, however, if an athlete does not wish to participate in the program, they are not eligible to receive funding for the European Development Tour.
Benefits of the Development Program
- Opportunity to participate in USEF training sessions/clinics/coaching sessions.
- Access to USEF Human and Equine Sports Science Medicine Education Programs and resources when available and appropriate and as funding allows.
- Assistance in transition to the next level (training, strategic planning, setting competition and training targets, data analysis, etc.).
- Included on USEF Eventing Development Program published on www.usef.org.
USEF Eventing Emerging/Development Coach Leslie Law
Birthday: 5/5/1965
Hometown: Herefordshire, GBR
Role: USEF Eventing Emerging & Development Coach
Discipline/ Sport: Eventing
Leslie Law grew up in rural Herefordshire, England where he began his legendary Eventing career riding for Great Britain. Law began his success when he took on riding the mount Welton Apollo and formed a partnership that led them to the 1989 European Championships. Leslie Law has experienced immeasurable success in the Eventing world and often found himself on the podium upon the mounts Shear H2O and Shear L’Eau. Law has seen incredible achievement at the highest levels of Eventing, such as being awarded individual gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and winning team silver for Britain during the 2000 Olympic Games and 2002 World Equestrian Games. Leslie Law now is in a position that truly gives back to the Eventing community as the USEF Emerging and Development coach. Law now coaches up and coming, young talent and provides the resources necessary to give these athletes the skills and resources for the end goal to reach the podium. Law goes above and beyond teaching athletes’ lifelong applicable skills; not only to be impeccable riders, but how to be successful businesspeople but also horsemen and women.
Press Releases:
- Defender U.S. Eventing Team Finishes in Second Place at FEI Eventing Nations Cup Ireland CCIO4*-NC-S
- US Equestrian Announces Eventing Athletes for 2024 European Development Tour