2025 Saddle Seat Invitational Application

There will be two International Saddle Seat Invitationals scheduled for this year:

Competition One

United States

June 25-28, 2025

Cascade Stables

(700 East Drive, New Orleans, LA 70118)

Competition Two

South Africa

Dec. 10-13, 2025

(Location TBD)

We are excited to offer two International Saddle Seat Competitions in 2025. US Saddle Seat Association will field a team of twelve (12), comprised of six three-gaited riders and six five-gaited riders for each of the Invitationals.

Applications will be accepted until March 25, 2025. Selectors will review the applications and notice will be provided to all applicants by March 31, 2025.

In order to apply, applicants must be 12 years or older as of Jan. 1, 2025.
Applicants will be required to submit a short video link (2-5 minutes) showcasing riding abilities for the selectors to view.
Applicants will be required to pay a $200 application fee.
Applicants may not have competed in Saddle Seat World Cup.
Applicants who are selected will be asked to pay a participation fee of ($3,000 for the US event or $5,500 for the South Africa event) prior to the event. This covers hotel, meals, transportation during the event, and team apparel, but does not cover ceremony attire and/or flight/transportation to the event in US.
Riders selected will be asked to purchase ceremony attire (link will be provided by US Saddle Seat Association).
Riders will be asked to room with another team member during the event.
Riders may be asked by their coaches to provide status updates and videos of practicing prior to the event.
Riders will be transported by bus (coaches driving) at the event, but will need to get to/from the event hotel on their own (for US competition).

Click here to begin your application

2024 US Saddle Seat Association Invitational

New Orleans

Welcome

We are excited to welcome riders, coaches, managers and supporters from South Africa and the United States to the 2024 United States Saddle Seat Association Invitational, presented by the International Saddle Seat Equitation Association (ISSEA) and the United States Saddle Seat Association (USSSA).

We have a competitive week ahead of us with the top riders in the Saddle Seat industry vying for the titles in Three-Gaited and Five-Gaited competition. This competition is an exciting part of equestrian sport, showcasing the skills and talents of riders who compete on unfamiliar horses after limited practice. This competition is unlike any other in equestrian sport.

This competition brings together like-minded and passionate enthusiasts from around the globe and offers a venue to create international friendships and memories to last a lifetime. We hope that you will all take the time to enjoy the camaraderie the competition affords and that you will ride every step knowing you are miaking history for the discipline of Saddle Seat riding.

This year's event is only made possible through the generous donors of horses, volunteer hours and significant donations and sponsorships. We are thankful and could not do this event without these contributions. We wish all of you an enjoyable, safe and successful week. Have fun, ride hard and take pride and know that you are making a difference in the history of International Saddle Seat Competition.

—The Assembly of ISSEA and the Directors of United States Saddle Seat Association