January 26, 2021 
Influential 18th Century French chemist Antoine Lavoisier famously wrote, “I am young and avid for glory.”
So too are the youth riders who will contest the 2021 Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) North American Youth Championships (NAYC) at the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival (GLEF) in Traverse City, Michigan this summer.
Youth athletes applications are now open in dressage and jumping for the 2021 NAYC.
To be held August 9–15, 2021, the NAYC is open to U.S. citizens ages 14–21 for dressage and 12–21 for jumping. The historic annual event aims to provide youth athletes with the opportunity to experience an international championship atmosphere as part of a team representing their region or zone. Many past competitors have gone on to represent the United States on the national team.
For Dressage Riders
Dressage athletes are eligible to compete as Young Riders from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach age 16 through the end of the calendar year in which they reach age 21 and as Junior Riders from the beginning of the calendar year in which they reach age 14 through the end of the calendar year in which they reach age 18. (View the selection procedures.)
Apply online for the 2021 FEI NAYC for Dressage.
The final application deadline is May 11, 2021 and the qualifying period ends June 21, 2021.
For Jumping Riders
NAYC for Jumping is open to athletes FEI ages 12–21 across four different categories including:
- Children – FEI ages 12–14 , fences up to 1.25m
- Pre-Junior – FEI ages 14–16, fences up to 1.30m
- Junior – FEI ages 14–18, fences up to 1.40m
- Young Rider – FEI ages 16–21, fences up to 1.50m
The NAYC for Jumping will feature expanded prizes, including $50,000 in the Junior Jumping Championship and $75,000 in the Young Rider Jumping Championship.
Apply online for the 2021 FEI NAYC for Jumping. (See Athlete Dashboard.)
The deadline for applications and end of the qualifying period is June 21, 2021, except Zone 10 Young Riders, Juniors, and Pre-Juniors. (View the selection procedures and Zone 10 selection procedures.)
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