Mission:
The activities are designed to develop camaraderie among young riders, thus, hopefully, developing lifelong friendships and a commitment to the sport. The purpose of the program is to encourage our younger members to become involved in the sport of Eventing and perhaps continue this involvement into their adult lives as members of the US Team, volunteers at local events, coaches, trainers, competitors, and consumers of equine products.
The Young Rider Program consists to two components. The NAYC branch focuses on developing and fronting riders and horses for the North American Youth Championships (NAYC) each summer. The YRAP branch focuses on providing young riders with the education and skills they need to progress through the levels regardless of level. In addition, each has a fund-raising program. The funds raised are used to help defray the costs of the program activities.
The YRAP encompass a variety of friendly competitions, camps, and educational activities which provide the educational development necessary for a young rider's progression. While many young riders never endeavor to progress to the NAYC and beyond, YRAP is in place for all members to accomplish whatever eventing goals they do have.
In short - Our members are the future of the sport!
Activities:
Our Young Rider Advancement banner and a representative can be found near the scoreboard or awards at the competitions below. From there we coordinate “Behind the Scenes” activities and distribute awards. We can provide assistance for things like: Identifying those who will provide a free course walk to our members; finding an instructor or horse; understanding the rules etc.
The behind the scenes is model from the National Mentorship Program. Riders will be given an opportunity to shadow judge, hang with the TD, Course Builder, assist in Show Jumping, scoring, or other active. The biggest learning often comes when we can change a teenager’s perception of what is a “good dressage test” or what the course builder is trying to test in your training.
The Young and Rest of Us is a virtual team competition were riders gain points town year team awards. These are scrambled teams of bothAdult and Young Riders Program Members. Because it is virtual, riders do not need to compete at the same competitions on any givenweekend. Form your team early is the key to success. Look on the website to learn more about the Area 2 Virtual Team Competition.
We host a few Cross-Border Challenge Team competitions where we compete for bragging rights against other Area YR teams. These may be scrambled or by division again depending on number of riders and request of the organizers. We love team competitions and encourage getting to know your teammates with various door prizes donated by sponsors. Teams are comprised of 3-4 riders. Every program member is placed on a team unless you opt out.
Area 2 Young Riders supports the Classic 3-Day format for learning the horsemanship specific to Eventing. We provide promotionalconsideration to Classic 3-Days held at Full Moon Farm, Waredaca, and Maryland Horse Trails.
Achievement Awards are Individual awards are given at selective events each month. Please see the details regarding how these awards are calculated best on your final score and not your placing. Area 2 YRAP Achievement Ribbons are awarded for National Qualifying Rides based on a Modified Danish Scoring System as follows:
- First 33 or Below
- Second 33.1 - 37
- Third 37.1 - 41
- Fourth 41.1 - 45
Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER): an MER is achieved by completing the entire Horse Trial and scoring not more than 50 penalty points (45 for FEI tests) in the Dressage Test; and no jumping penalties at obstacles on the Cross Country Test and not more than 90 seconds (36 penalty points) exceeding the optimum time; and not more than 16 penalties at obstacles in the Jumping Test. 25 penalty points received for Dangerous Riding will not achieve a National Qualifying result.
We host WoW camps every year held with USEA ICP certified instructors as leads and whenever possible the coaches and selectors of our YR teams. These camps are modeled off the Emerging Athlete Program. They are always popular and fill fast. They usually consist of two mounted sessions each day with focus on dressage, ring craft, show jumping courses, XC, pace, and grid work. Lessons are tailored to the needs and desires of the students who ride as individuals or in very small groups. Additional lectures and education are including most days. The entry for each WoW Camp can be found on Event Clinics. In 2020, we are partnering with Full Moon Farm Quarter Star as a means toexpose more riders to the learning that comes from doing the classic 3-day format.
Year-end Awards are not automatic for the Area. You must also sign-up for this program separately through the Area 2 website.
Learning more about Area 2 Young Rider activities can be achieved through the following:
- The Google Group Mailing List - Feel free to add email addresses to the google group, our primary method of communication. https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/area2_yrandyrap
- We share positive stories and information through our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/area2youngriders/
- Feel free to call and chat with Chris Donovan or any of the other volunteers who work to make your program membership a valuable asset.
| Date | Event | Activities |
| Feb 22- March 1 | Area 2 Aiken Invasion (Aiken SC) Emerging Athlete Program Activities | Ala-carte lessons and XC schooling |
| Feb 26 | Full Gallop (Aiken, SC) Open: Jan 14 | Close: Feb 11 Divisions: BN,N,T,PT | Area 2 Aiken Invasion |
| February 29 – March 1 | Sporting Days Farm H.T. II (Aiken, SC) Open: Jan 14 | Close: Feb 11 Divisions: BN,N,T,PT | Cross Border Challenge Team Competition |
| March 28-29 | Morven Park Spring HT (Leesburg, VA) Open: Feb 11 | Close: Mar 3 Divisions: BN,N,T,P,I | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| Apr 2-5 | The Fork HT @ TIEC. (Mill Spring, NC) Open: Feb 18 | Close: Mar 17 Divisions: BN,N,T,P, CCI1-4S | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| Apr 18-19 | Plantation Fields April. (Unionville, PA) Open: Mar 3 | Close: March 31 Divisions: BN,N,T,P,I | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| May 2 - 3 | MCTA @ Shawan Downs (Hunt Valley, MD) Open: Mar 17 | Close: Apr 14 Divisions: BN,N,T,P,I | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| May 2 – 3 | Beyond Braids – Grooming Clinic with Sam Henley, EMTC Program Administrator - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (540) 488-5416. | NAYC Groom Prep Session |
| May 21 - 24 | Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. (Lexington, VA) Open: Apr 7 | Close: May 5 Divisions: YEH-5,YEH-4,BN,N,T,P,I,AI,CIC2,CCI1 | Behind the Scenes + Cross Border Challenge Team Competition |
| June 13 - 14 | Seneca Valley PC H.T. (Poolesville, MD) Open: April 28 | Close: May 26 Divisions: YEH-5,YEH-4,BN,N,T,P,I | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| June 24-28 | Full Moon Farm Quarter Star http://www.fullmoonfarm.com/HorseTrials/qtrstar.html | SUMMER CAMP – Training and Below |
| Jul 3 - 5 | The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm I (Adamstown, MD) Open: May 19 | Close: June 16 Divisions: BN,N,T,M,P,I, CCI1S, CCI2S, CCI3S | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| Jul 13 - 17 | PONY CLUB Festival | CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| Jul 14 - 17 | NAYC Prep @ Sandy River Equestrian Center | CAMP |
| July 14-15 | LandSafe (Advance Sessions Offered) Sign-up via eventclinics.com | Camp |
| July 20 - 26 | NAYC - Event at Rebecca Farm Open: June 9 | Close: Jul 5 Divisions: BN,N,T,P, I CCI2L, CCI3L, CCI4S N3D, T3D | CHAMPIONSHIPS |
| Aug 7-9 | GMHA Festival of Eventing. (Woodstock VT) Open: June 23 | Close: Jul 21 Divisions: BN,N,T,P, I CCI2S | Cross Border Challenge Team Competition |
| Aug 25 – Aug 30 | American Eventing Championships (Lexington KY) Open: Jul 14 | Close: Aug 11 Divisions: Intro,BN,N,T,P,I, A | Program Member Awards 1-8th |
| Sep 12 - 13 | Flora Lea Fall H.T. (Medford, NJ) Open: July 28 | Close: Aug 25 Divisions: BN,N,T,P | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| Oct 9 - 11 | The Maryland H.T. at Loch Moy Farm (Adamstown, MD) Open: Aug 25 | Close: Sep 22 Divisions: BN,BN3D,N,T,M,P,I | 3Day Competition & Area Championships |
| Oct 22 - 25 | Waredaca Classic 3D Event & H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) Open: Sep 8 | Close: Oct 6 Divisions: N3D,T3D,P3D, BN,N,T,M,P | 3Day Team Competition |
| Oct 29 – Nov 1 | Virginia CCI/CIC & H.T. (Lexington, VA Open: Sep 15 | Close: Oct 13 Divisions: Starter,BN,N,T,P,I,AI,CCI1S, CCI2S, CCI2L, CCI3S, CCI3L | Behind the Scenes + Final Team Competition Awards |
| Nov 8 | Full Moon Farm (Finksburg, MD) Open: Sept 22 | Close: Oct 20 Divisions: BN,N,NT,T,PT | Behind the Scenes + Achievement Awards |
| Dec 27-30 | Winter WoW Camp Morven Park Leesburg VA | CAMP |
