The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced many significant changes to the 2025 Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search Finals, which aim to improve the format and create a more realistic evaluation of rider skill.
Key Changes for 2025:
- Early Horse Inspection: Beginning this year, horses will be inspected the day before competition begins.
- Condensed Format: The flat and gymnastics phases will now take place on the same day rather than in different sessions.
- Gymnastics Phase Changes: Previously, riders could take their own strategy; today, all competitors must execute the same exercises for consistency.
- Flat Phase in Groups: Riders will enter the arena in smaller groups rather than as a single huge class.
- Jog Requirement: The horses will be jogged again on the second day before proceeding to the jumping phase.
- Final Day Format: The competition will begin with a leaping round. The top four riders will then switch horses for the final test before the overall winner is determined.
The purpose of the updates
Officials stated that these changes are intended to replicate the types of conditions that athletes may encounter in top-level international show jumping. The Talent Search program has long been seen as a bridge to higher levels of the sport, requiring not just natural ability but also horsemanship and a strong foundation in classical riding.
Event Details:
The East Coast Finals will take place on October 3-5, 2025, at the USEF Headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, while the West Coast Finals will be hosted in the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California. The competitions will be judged by USEF-licensed officials.
📌 Source: U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF)
