Monday, August 7, 2023

The 2023-2024 IEA Season is off and galloping - with the first shows under our belt this past weekend. Every day dozens of members and teams are signing up and the membership office is rapidly processing membership applications. It is exciting to see so many familiar names and we welcome more than 50 NEW TEAMS that have joined us so far.

As a reminder on some housekeeping items....these were posted in the July e-newsletter but there are a ton of new members who may not have seen this information, so we are sharing it again for anyone who needs reminders. As always - we appreciate you and look forward to another exciting IEA Season!

• Coaches and Show Hosts - As you plan your show hosting dates - be sure to communicate with your Regional Presidents/Zone Administrators to get those tentative show dates on the TENTATIVE CALENDARS for each discipline. These calendars can be found on each discipline homepage as a starting point before they get listed on the official show calendars. We know parents like to plan ahead and having at least a tentative date on the spreadsheet can help others plan their show dates. Questions? Ask Jennifer Eaton at jenn@rideiea.org.

• Returning Members - the process is the same as always for renewing your membership. Coaches need to sign up their teams FIRST before any riders can join. Teams will become "active" once at least three paid riders have registered. It can take up to 10 business days to process your membership paperwork so register early. Remember, we have online signatures now (new as of last year) so no more need to mail hard copies into the membership office. It only takes a few minutes to register and pay for your membership once your team is registered.

• New and Potential Rider Members - It is imperative to talk to your new coach/potential coach BEFORE registering your membership with IEA. Use the FIND A TEAM maps on the IEA website to locate coaches nearest you. We suggest you reach out to several coaches to inquire about their team fees, lesson schedules, and requirements before deciding which team to join. The IEA Membership staff can answer any questions for you - reach out to them at info@rideiea.org or by calling 1-877-RIDE-IEA.

• Coaches Expanding Their Teams - Coaches whose teams are rapidly expanding may opt to split their teams into two different teams under the same coach(es). This does require two team memberships. We have a growing number of teams that are doing this. Additionally, we also have a number of coaches who are adding a discipline or two to their existing teams. If you have any questions about starting/expanding your team - reach out to Jennifer Eaton at jenn@rideiea.org.

• Adult Riders Over 21 - The IEA Adult Pilot Program has been approved for a 2nd year and is growing! Rider points will continue to be tracked for post-season competition and the top 6 riders in each division will be invited to attend National Finals! Your official Adult Pilot Program Coordinator is Emily David at emily@rideiea.org. Check out the Adult Pilot Program webpage for more details.

• Adult Contributing Members - Your role is important to your whole team. As an ACM, you will be an official member of the team and have access to team rosters, be able to input entries for shows, and have access to important information on show hosting. We suggest having at least one ACM on each team to assist the coach(es) with show responsibilities

• In order to have a full show season, we strongly suggest registering your team/riders/etc. NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 1st. Many regions will have completed 2 or more shows by October 1st, so don't miss out. Ideally registering in July/August gets you the best chance of a full show season.

• Coaches, Parents and Riders: Make yourselves familiar with the updated RULE BOOKS for each discipline. IEA spent the past year dividing out our rulebook into 4 sections - a GENERAL SECTION that applies to all members as well as HUNT SEAT, WESTERN, and DRESSAGE sections. You can find these rulebooks in the IEA Rules & Policies Library.

We have been loving all the equine activities you have been posting - World Shows, Summer Camps, 4-H Fairs, Clinics, Open Houses, and more! Be sure and tag #rideiea so we can see you!

ZOOM LINK:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86813710588

SUBMIT A QUESTION:

https://forms.gle/dhEBwbyupoYF1gVW6

You can help increase our impact on grass roots access to equestrian sport.

IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics by offering a unique program of draw-based (catch-ride) competition meaning that no rider is required to own a horse or riding equipment, making it a more affordable way for riders to participate.

Please consider supporting the IEA by making a tax-deductible donation for GENERAL PURPOSE, IEA BENEVOLENT FUND, YOUTH BOARD, IN MEMORY OF or OTHER DESIGNATED PURPOSE.

IEA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and GuideStar Gold Seal charity.

What does your DONATION help to support?

• $30 buys one lesson for a financial aid recipient.
• $50 covers the entry fee at a regular season show for a financial aid recipient.
• $150 covers the cost of providing a horse for Regional or Zone Finals.
• $250 provides the Pony Bar treats for the horses at National Finals.
• $500 covers the cost of providing a horse for the National Finals.
• $600 covers the travel/work stipend for a Youth Board member to attend National Finals.
• $1,000 covers the cost of The National Sportsmanship Award Scholarship.
• $2,000 supports a rider in need of financial assistance to participate for a full season of competition.
• $7,500 covers the facility rental for a Zone Final.
• $12,000 covers the cost of live streaming the National Finals so that members and families not able to attend in person can be a part of the event.

EQUESTRIAN FITNESS ACADEMY/IFAFIT is a SPONSOR of IEA and this is a PAID ADVERTISEMENT.

KIMES RANCH JEANS is a SPONSOR of the IEA and this is a PAID ADVERTISEMENT.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The following stories/press releases were released in July.

EQUUS Foundation is a SPONSOR of the IEA and this is a PAID ADVERTISEMENT.

OFFICIAL WESTERN SADDLE OF THE IEA

Interscholastic Equestrian Association

NEW ADDRESS

Membership Office

4 Railroad Avenue

Wakefield, MA 01880



Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm EST

Phone: 877-RIDE-IEA | 877-743-3432

Fax: 508-597-7373

www.rideiea.org | info@rideiea.org

Marketing & Communications Office

509 S. Otterbein Avenue, Suite 9

Westerville, OH 43081

IEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers:

• President: Amanda Garner
• President Elect: Katie Schaaf
• Secretary: Samantha Fleming
• Treasurer: Christy Landwehr

Founding Board Members & Designees:

• Designee for Roxane Durant (Founding Member): Hannah Bentz 
• Designee for Wayne Ackerer (Founding Member): Nancy Arledge

Members At Large:

• Dustin Boehmer
• Leah Fiorentino
• Katie Morehead-Oman
• Cathy Muzzy 

Non-Voting Members:

• Roxane Durant
• Susan Wentzel
• Kathryn Quinlan
• Simon Towns

Director Emeritus:

• Timothy J. Boone
• Myron Leff

Follow us at @rideiea and #rideIEA