Overview: The 2024 USEF Futures Team Challenge is administered by the USEF to complement the Eventing High Performance Program. Selection to a team under this Challenge does not represent selection to a recognized U.S. team. The program is designed to replicate the experience of competing on and within a team environment and thus is a training opportunity embedded within an existing competition.
Objective: To prepare future senior team athletes by providing Emerging and Development athletes with two days of team training, education and experience in an unofficial team competition environment at North American competitions. Athletes will experience working within a team structure and competing as a team under the guidance of U.S. Technical Advisor, Bobby Costello, and U.S. Development and Emerging Coach, Leslie Law.
The 2024 Futures Team Challenge at Woodside Fall International Horse Trials has been canceled.
We look forward to offering more opportunities in 2025.
Selection: Based on athletes’ results, potential, willingness to learn, and commitment to developing into a future team athlete. Athletes who are not part of the Emerging or Development Program may apply and be considered for inclusion on a team as ‘wild cards’.Teams will be fielded from the CCI4*S and CCI3*S levels.
Athletes must be prepared to run their horse for time and be able to produce a competitive result in the competition.
Deliverables: Two-day educational program in preparation for Woodside International. This education will include expectations of being a team rider, general routines during preparation, and how to operate at a team event. It will also include dressage test ride reviews and show jumping practice. Bobby Costello and Leslie Law will coach and serve as Chefs d’Equipe for the two teams. Athletes will receive access to administrative assistance from the USEF office throughout the process. Applying for this opportunity indicates athletes are committed to attend the pre-competition training.
Dependent on sponsorship- additional opportunities surround groom and owner education opportunities.
Cost & expenses: Certain expenses will be paid for or reimbursed by the USEF; any reimbursement requires a receipt. These expenses may include: R/T mileage from origin to each event to a maximum of $400, stabling fee for one horse per competition. Lunch will be provided during the training days for athletes and grooms. Not included for reimbursement: entry fee, tack stall, expenses related to other horses, incidentals, and membership fees. Other expenses not listed must be approved by the Director, Development and Emerging Programs. It is the athletes’ responsibility to ensure they are qualified, enter the competition and meet the obligations and requirements associated with competing at an FEI event. Athletes not selected are not excluded from the competition in any way. Application for a Futures Team does not constitute an entry for the competition.
Questions? Contact Christina Vaughn at (859) 225 6917 or [email protected].