Objective: Athlete-focused talent identification, development and talent confirmation program for athletes 25 and under.
Target: Aim to provide fundamental skills necessary for future team athletes and athletes focused on reaching Elite status.
Review/Term:
Annual selection with a retention review each year.
An athlete may be a member of the Program for a maximum of four years. The expectation is for athletes to progress to the Development Program by age 25 or within four years. Athletes that have been in the Program for four years and have progressed to the next CCI level may stay in the Program for additional years if the Pathway Working Group determines it is warranted. For example, an athlete competing at the CCI3*-L level when initially named to the Program and has progressed to the CCI4* level may stay in the program for additional years.
Criteria for Development 25 Program
• Athlete must be 25 years old or younger according to the FEI (born on or after January 1, 2000).
• Applicant must have achieved an MER at a CCI3*-L within the past 2 years.
a) Dressage Test: not more than 45 penalty points (or 55%).
b) Cross Country Test
- A clear round at obstacles (activating a maximum of one frangible device will maintain the MER result on Cross Country).
- Not more than 75 seconds exceeding the optimum time in the Cross Country Test for, two, three and four star level competitions and 100 seconds in the case of five star level competitions.
c) Jumping Test: Not more than 16 penalties at obstacles.
• Applicants may be ‘talent spotted’ if they do not meet the criteria but still must submit an application to be considered.
• Athlete must be a USEF Active Member.
• If athletes have been a member of the Development 25 Program for the preceding two years, the requirement for attending an assessment will be waived, if they have submitted an application.
• Athletes that have been in the USEF Eventing Development 25 Program for four years but have progressed to the next CCI level may stay in the program for additional years if the Pathway Working Group feels it is warranted. (for example, an athlete that was competing at the CCI3*-L level when initially named to the Program and has progressed to the CCI4* level may stay in the program for additional years)
Program:
Selected athletes will participate in an assessment session with Development Coach, Leslie Law. These dates will be September 11-12 in Virginia and September 18-19 in Florida. A session for central/west coast-based athletes will be determined after applications are reviewed to determine the best location. Athletes invited to the assessments will be monitored during the remainder of their fall season as applicable. A final selection of athletes for the 2025 Development 25 Program will be made no later than the end of November. The athletes for the 2025 Development 25 Program will participate in a multi-day training session during the month of January. Subsequent follow-up training sessions with Leslie will occur throughout the year. Athletes will have access to the program benefits listed below and, with separately submitted application, be in consideration for the European Development Tour.
The following factors may be used to make recommendations:
- Athlete/horse combination meets FEI Regulations to compete in the respective competitions.
- The overall performance of the athlete/horse combination in 2023/2024 competitions with emphasis on dressage scores, cross country, and show jumping performance: jumping without faults and/or incurring time penalties, boldness, and rideability.
- Soundness of the athlete and horse
- Potential of athlete and or athlete/horse combination to develop to the CCI5* level and/or represent the U.S. on future teams
- Behavior of the athlete and people associated with the athlete (including but not limited to, accredited owners, coaches, and grooms) that may have an impact on creating a positive environment that will affect (either positively or negatively) the athlete.
Program Benefits:
- 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, 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 25 Program published on www.usef.org.
USEF Eventing Development Coach Leslie Law
Birthday: 5/5/1965
Hometown: Herefordshire, GBR
Role: USEF Eventing 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 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:
Archived Development 25 (previously named Emerging Program) Training Lists
Questions? Contact Christina Vaughn at [email protected].