Lexington, KY - From June 26-29 the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team will compete against Junior and Senior teams from the Republic of South Africa in three- and five-gaited saddle seat equitation competition. This  second U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational of 2013 will be held at Cascade Stables in New Orleans, LA's historic Audubon Park.

The U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational is an international Saddle Seat Equitation competition in which three- and five-gaited competitors ride unfamiliar horses in rail work and pattern phases. It will be the second ever competition for the newly formed U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team, and will be broadcast live on USEF Network.

The public is welcome to attend practice sessions and competition. The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, June 26                     

20 minute practice for each section/team-starting at 5:30 pm ET

5:30-5:50 (SA-JR 3-gaited)

5:50-6:10 (US 3-gaited)

6:10-6:30 (SA-SR 3-gaited)

30 minute BREAK

7:00-7:20 (SA-JR 5-gaited)

7:20-7:40 (US 5-gaited)

7:40-8:00 (SA-SR 5-gaited)

Thursday, June 27           

20 minute practice for each section/team-starting at 5:30 pm ET

5:30-5:50 (SA-JR 3-gaited)

5:50-6:10 (US 3-gaited)

6:10-6:30 (SA-SR 3-gaited)

30 minute BREAK

7:00-7:20 (SA-JR 5-gaited)

7:20-7:40 (US 5-gaited)

7:40-8:00 (SA-SR 5-gaited)

Friday, June 28

Competition starts at 5:00pm ET

5:00-6:00 3 gaited competition

Section A

Section B

6:30-7:30 5 gaited competition

Section A

Section B

Saturday, June 29

Competition starts at 9:30 am ET

9:30-10:30 3 gaited competition

Section A

Section B

11:00-12:00 5 gaited competition

Section A

Section B

6:00. Awards Ceremony - Cascade Stables

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) formed the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team with the purpose of developing riders for future US Saddle Seat World Cup competitions. During years that the Saddle Seat World Cup competition is not held, members of the Young Rider Team will be eligible to represent the United States in other international competitions. 

To learn more about the U.S. Saddle Seat Young Rider Team, and more about the 2013 U.S. Saddle Seat Invitationals click here. 

On-demand video from the first U.S. Saddle Seat Invitational of 2013, in Fulton, MO is available on USEF Network.