The Area IX Championships are the highlight of our season, bringing together riders and horses from across the region to celebrate eventing at its best. Below are the official qualification requirements for the 2025 Championships.
Qualification period
August 19, 2024 – September 14, 2025
How to qualify
Starter through Training Level
- Place 1st through 5th at one USEA recognized event with a minimum of 5 starters.
Preliminary and Modified Levels
You may qualify in either of the following ways:
- One placing 1st through 5th at a USEA recognized event with at least 5 starters, or
- Two placings 1st through 5th with MER-qualified finishes at USEA recognized events if there are fewer than 5 starters.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs)
- All completions must meet the USEA definition of a MER to count toward qualification.
Additional requirements
- Area IX Members: You may qualify in any USEA area, but you must also compete in at least one USEA recognized event within Area IX during the qualifying period (on any horse).
- Out-of-Area Riders: Riders from other areas are welcome, but must earn their qualification within Area IX.
- Horse & Rider Pair: Both horse and rider must qualify together as a pair.
Special reminder:
- 🚫 Whips are not allowed in any championship dressage test.
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Key takeaways
- Qualification runs from Aug 19, 2024 – Sept 14, 2025.
- Starter–Training: One top-5 placing with 5+ starters.
- Prelim–Modified: One top-5 with 5+ starters or two MER top-5s with fewer starters.
- All finishes must meet USEA MER standards.
- Area IX members can qualify anywhere but must also compete once in Area IX.
- Out-of-Area riders must qualify within Area IX.
- Horse and rider must qualify together.