Lexington, Ky. - US Equestrian is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team. During years that the Saddle Seat World Cup competition is not held, members of the Young Rider Team will be eligible to represent the United States in other international competitions, whether at home or abroad. The purpose of the Young Rider Team is to develop athletes for future Saddle Seat World Cup competitions.
The Saddle Seat World Cup is a bi-annual competition that originated in the early 1980s with an informal exchange of saddle seat riders in the United States and South Africa, formally named the Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup in 1992. Originally a three-gaited saddle seat equitation showcase, it has expanded to include a five-gaited component as well. Teams from as many as five nations now compete for the coveted World Cup titles.
In 2019, US Equestrian will be fielding a team of twelve (six athletes for both the three- and five-gaited sections) to compete at an Invitational Test Event in New Orleans, La. in May. It is possible a second team will be selected to compete at an Invitational Test Event on the west coast in July or October 2019.
Unlike the selection process for the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team, athletes will not have to attend live tryouts to be selected for the U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation Young Rider Team. Instead, selection will be based on an application and riding video.
Applications must be submitted online through the individual’s “My USEF” member account and are due on or before November 30, 2018 at midnight Eastern Standard Time. Selection information and other details are also located at www.usasaddleseatworldcup.org. To apply for either the Three- or Five-Gaited Team, please follow the steps below:
- Access your My USEF Account at https://www.usef.org/_AUAIFrames/Login/Default.aspx
- Click “Athlete Dashboard” then “Online Applications”
- Choose “Saddle Seat” in the drop down box
- Update the year to 2019 and click search
- Applications for the 3- and 5-Gaited Teams should appear
For more information regarding the 2019 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team and application process, contact Erin DesNoyers via email at [email protected] or by phone at 859-225-6977.