The USEA Youth Mentorship Program offers young riders and intercollegiate athletes a unique opportunity to gain insider experience by participating in the officiating and management teams at major international eventing competitions. This hands-on involvement helps them understand the complexities of running events, encourages further education in the sport, and supports career exploration, networking, and communication within the eventing community. In 2023, eight participants took part in the program at the Maryland International and the USEA American Eventing Championships.

Participants have praised the program for its organization and the valuable insights gained, particularly from interacting with experienced officials like Technical Delegate Sharron Sarchet. One rider highlighted how the experience shifted their perspective by seeing event challenges from an official’s viewpoint rather than just as a competitor. Overall, the mentorship provides a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at event operations, fostering appreciation for the collaborative effort required to successfully run these complex competitions.