Calling all Collegiate, High School & Middle School Eventers…Inaugural Western U.S. Championships set for Galway in the fall of 2027.
The inaugural Western U.S. Championships for collegiate and high school eventers is set to be staged during The Eventing Championships at Galway Downs, Nov 4-7, 2027.
Galway Downs was selected to host this new Championship earlier this year. After surveying the needs and preferences of USEA’s Intercollegiate Eventing Program (IEP) and Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) members in Areas VI, VII, IX, or X, the USEA chose the November 2027 date. The well-established Eventing Championships at Galway Downs will help ensure excitement and participation, the USEA states. The association had also chosen Galway Downs to host its 2025 American Eventing Championships.
A stand-alone “Challenge” competition for IEP and IEL members will be staged at this fall’s Eventing Championships, Oct. 28 – Nov. 1. The 2026 Challenge will give middle school, high school and collegiate eventers a great taste of team competition. Strong participation for this year’s Challenge is the goal as key to building ongoing participation in both programs in the West.
The Western U.S. Championships provide another opportunity for program members to compete with their peers, in addition to the existing USEA Intercollegiate & IEL Championships at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina on May 7-9, 2027. The Intercollegiate and IEL programs have seen great success in recent years at the Championships at Stable View. Having over 260 entries there this year supported the expansion of the event to new areas across the U.S.
Camaraderie and traditions that make the Intercollegiate & IEL Championships special are expected to be as popular for Western region riders as they’ve been in the East.
Those interested in participating in the Intercollegiate or IEL Team Challenges at Galway Downs this fall are encouraged to contact USEA Staff Liaison, Kaleigh Collett, at [email protected]. Team rosters will be accepted through Monday, October 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. PT.
Not an Intercollegiate or IEL Member yet? Submit your Collegiate Team Applications or IEL Application Forms, along with an official roster, to Jennifer Hardwick, USEA Senior Director of Membership Services, at [email protected] to get involved!
Requirements for Collegiate Teams
All collegiate participants must be enrolled as undergraduate students, or with their school’s approval, be no more than 6 months past the completion of their undergraduate education, allowing December graduates to compete in the May championships on the East Coast and May graduates to compete in the November Championships on the West Coast.
Collegiate participants are also required to hold an active USEA Membership: to compete in the Championship, riders must hold a Full or Life membership. For riders who attend an accredited university or college that is not currently listed on the Intercollegiate Eventing Program List, consider starting a new team by reviewing the program information here and submitting a Collegiate Team Application.
Requirements for High School and Middle School Teams
All IEL participants must be enrolled in 5th through 12th grade at a public school, private school, online school or homeschool program. Unlike the Intercollegiate Eventing Program, IEL Clubs can be made up of any group of junior riders who share a common bond – like riding at the same barn, competing with the same trainer, attending the same school or being a part of the same Pony Club. For a list of the current Interscholastic Eventing Clubs, please click here.
All Interscholastic participants are also required to hold an active USEA Membership, to compete in the Championship, riders must hold a Full or Life membership. If you are interested in starting a new IEL Club, click here to learn more about the program and submit an IEL Application Form today.
Any questions regarding the Intercollegiate Eventing Program or Interscholastic Eventing League, or the 2027 Championships can be directed to USEA Staff Liaison, Kaleigh Collett, at [email protected].
