The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) has extended the application deadline for the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team to September 1, 2016.. The 2017 team will compete at the U.S. Test Event to be held April 3-6, 2017 in Perry, Georgia. The extension comes after confirmation that there will not be a 2017 Test Event in South Africa.

The Young Riders Team was created with the intention of developing athletes for future International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup competitions. Test Events held during years that the International Saddle Seat Equitation World Cup is not held, allow members of the Young Riders Team to represent the United States in international competition. Six athletes will be chosen for both the three- and five-gaited sections.

Riders will not have to attend live tryouts to be selected for the U.S. Saddle Seat Equitation Young Riders Team. Selection will be based on an application and riding video.

The U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders website features a copy of the 2017 selection criteria and tips for applicants.

More information on the 2017 U.S. Saddle Seat Young Riders Team can be found by contacting any of the following National Affiliates staff members:

Lori Nelson, lnelson@usef.org
Terra Schroeder, tschroeder@usef.org
Jennifer Mellenkamp, jmellenkamp@usef.org
Erin DesNoyers, edesnoyers@usef.org