IEA January Newsletter

Dear IEA Member,

Happy 2020! We hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday time with family and friends last month. Most of you have jumped right back into IEA show season again as we prepare for post season Regional Finals beginning this month with Zones right around the corner.

The IEA offices are busy preparing for this exciting time of the year as the first of our three National Finals is only 2.5 months away in sunny California. If you don't already follow us on social media, now is the time to get on board as lots of information is being posted weekly.

For those of you who may be finished with your 2019-2020 season already, one way you can stay involved and set goals for next year is to join the IEA Online Horsemanship program to keep your un-mounted skills in top shape. All riders (regardless of qualifying for post-season showing or not) can participate in the online program or compete in the Horsemanship tests given during post season shows in your area. The online Horsemanship is $15 per rider and INTRO Riders can join for FREE! What are you waiting for - sign up now!

We are LOVING the hundreds of photos we are being tagged in each week at #rideiea. Be sure to tag us so we can see how you are all doing. Best of luck to those still competing in regular season shows and those moving on to Regional Finals.

Important Upcoming Dates and Locations

Hunt Seat Zone 1 Finals - March 28-29, 2020 - Eastern States Expo Center (MA)
Hunt Seat Zone 2 Finals - March 14-15, 2020 - Old Salem Farm (NY)
Hunt Seat Zone 3 Finals - Feb 28 - March 1, 2020 - Liberty Univ. Equestrian Ctr. (VA)
Hunt Seat Zone 4 Finals - March 14-15, 2020 - NE Alabama Agribusiness Ctr. (AL)
Hunt Seat Zone 5 Finals - March 20-22, 2020 - Otterbein University (OH)
Hunt Seat Zone 7 Finals - March 14-15, 2020 - Texas Rose Horse Park (TX)
Hunt Seat Zone 8 Finals - March 7-8, 2020 - Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Ctr. (AZ)
Hunt Seat Zone 9 Finals - March 7-8, 2020 - Grays Harbor Fairgrounds (WA)
Hunt Seat Zone 10 Finals - March 21-22, 2020 - Murieta Equestrian Center (CA)
Hunt Seat Zone 11 Finals - March 21-22, 2020 - Dream Park of NJ (NJ)
Hunt Seat National Finals - April 17-19, 2020 - LA Equestrian Center (CA)
Dressage National Finals - May 9-10, 2020 - Albion College (MI)
Western National Finals - June 13-14, 2020 - Oklahoma State Fairgrounds (OK)

Check the online show calendar for your Zone Regional Finals.

DONATE to the IEA BENEVOLENT FUND

Congratulations to IEA alumni, Julia Stone (Elvenstar - Zone 10) on being named the US Equestrian 2019 Junior Equestrian of the Year. This prestigious achievement was awarded during the Pegasus Awards at the USEF Annual meeting several weeks ago.

Way to go, Julia! READ MORE

CALLING ALL YOUTH ARTISTS

IEA TO HOST JUDGES CLINIC AT EQUINE AFFAIRE

MORE ABOUT EQUINE AFFAIRE

IEA is proud to announce that we are partnering with Equine Affaire on

Sunday, April 5, 2020 to host an Interscholastic Equestrian Association Intensive Clinic. The educational clinic offers a unique opportunity to see inside the mind of an IEA judge and will feature a judge’s perspective and offer tips for competing at IEA (draw-based competition) shows in Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage. Clinic time will be from 12:00pm to 4:00pm in Cooper Arena at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, OH.

Equine Affaire is one of North America’s premiere equine exposition and equestrian gatherings and any day you attend is filled with lots of learning, eating, and great shopping. IEA will also have an information booth (#101) in the Bricker Building.

We are starting to gather hotels for IEA Hunt Seat National Finals and more will be added in the coming weeks. Click HERE to book IEA discounted hotels for Nationals.

IEA Western Youth Board members invite your TEAM to join us for an online CAN DRIVE #IEACanDrive. Anyone can participate - riders, teams, coaches, parents, grandparents, siblings - from any discipline - UNTIL JUNE 1, 2020.

Here is how it works:

Follow these 4 simple steps for the chance to be recognized at IEA WESTERN NATIONAL FINALS in June.

1. Take at least 2 CANNED or BOXED ITEMS to YOUR local food pantry.

2. Snap a photo of you (or your team) with your donation.

3. Share your photo on our new WESTERN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @RIDEIEAWESTERN to be tallied using the hashtag #IEACanDrive

4. Repeat and celebrate.

NOTE: (Photo should include TEAM NAME, # of items donated, and TEAM ZONE.) Use the hashtag #IEACanDrive to be counted. The TEAM with the most donations from now until June 1, 2020 will be recognized during the IEA Western National Finals. (No need to be present.) Anyone, anywhere can help your team collect and donate to their local food pantry. Together, we can make a BIG DIFFERENCE in our communities!

Questions? Contact Shara@rideiea.org.

Have you activated your US Equestrian FREE Fan Membership?

All current IEA Riders, Coaches and Parents are eligible to sign up

to receive a Fan Membership using the code: IEA2020 .

Click the image above to get started.

Contact Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org with questions.

EVERYTHING LITTLE GOES BIG FOR IEA

READ how one IEA team goes all out for a unique team bonding experience.

Did you know that IEA recently added a new rule about formally recognizing our beloved IEA horses at regular season shows by presenting a HORSE OF THE SHOW award?

The rule ( found on page 35 of the rule book ) states as follows:

4509.5 Horse of the Show Award - The Event Host Coordinator of each regular IEA sanctioned show will award the “Horse of the Show” to be chosen by the judge and/or show steward. The award should be given to the horse, regardless of points earned during the course of competition, who best demonstrated fair and generous treatment toward its riders.

So, we want to know: What creative ways are show hosts presenting these awards?

Ribbons? Bags of Apples? Halters? Treats? Certificates? New Brushes? Buckets?

We know IEA could not exist without the generosity of our horse providers and their wonderful equine partners. We are grateful for all of them and we want to recognize them regularly. Send your ideas or photos to kimber@rideiea.org for us to share.

Photo courtesy of @sandikinneyphotography

RIDE ON: Rider Spotlight on ISABELLA STEELE

Congratulations to IEA rider, ISABELLA STEELE on being featured in a wonderful article and video story about her recent success. Isabella has been an IEA member for 6 years and rides on the Liberty Riding Academy Team (Zone 10) coached by Lori Clark.

Her cover story was featured in her local school district newsletter. (pages 16-18).

READ and WATCH

IEA Signage for Non-IEA Horse Shows

#IEABannerContest

Attention IEA Coaches:

Are you or any of your riders attending shows outside of the IEA?

We want to make sure you have a member banner to hang in your stall, seating, or vendor area to show your IEA pride! Use it as a conversation starter to talk about your team and recruit new members.

Once you have an IEA banner, be sure to take a photo of your team with your banner hanging up during your horse show and post it to #IEABannerContest. Each month we will select a photo to win a prize for your entire team! Contact kimber@rideiea.org .

COACHES: Request your FREE IEA Banner

One (1) 20" x 36" vinyl grommet banner will be provided to each current IEA Team.

Additional banners or IEA signage may be purchased at cost.

Need promotional brochures to help solicit new team members? CLICK HERE.

Summit Joint Performance/Sarah Hargreaves are proud sponsors of IEA. This is a paid advertisement.

Looking For A Way To Expand Your Equine Business? Become an IEA Sponsor or Retail Vendor.

The IEA is currently accepting financial and in-kind sponsorships for National Finals, Regional and Zone Finals, and General Support. Whether your budget is $150 or $15,000, IEA has opportunities for your business to get in front of over 14,000 equestrian members and more than 35,000 Social Media followers. From email blasts, to social media posts, to program ads, ringside signage, or donated prizes, we can help promote your business while you support our organization.

To discuss sponsorship and advertising opportunities, contact IEA Sales Manager Megan Taylor at megan@rideiea.org.