Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The countdown to the 2024 IEA Hunt Seat & Dressage National Finals is ON!

This past weekend completed the final ZONE FINALS for the season for all Hunt Seat and Dressage IEA Riders. Congratulations to everyone on completing their season and a special congratulations to all the riders and teams who will be heading to Tryon in 30 SHORT DAYS!

Whether you are coming to COMPETE, SPECTATE, or will be tuning in to watch the LIVE STREAM - we have some important deadlines and information to share with you below on all things NATIONALS.

If your season is complete - we encourage you to begin thinking about promoting your team, organizing your show hosting schedules, meeting with your Regional Presidents, and planning for a successful 2024-2025 IEA Season. Membership will open this summer as we introduce our BRAND NEW DATABASE. We are excited to be sharing more info with you on that as it becomes available and we anticipate a new, exciting, and efficient user experience for our members.

We celebrate those IEA Riders who are graduating and will be moving on to college, trade-schools, new jobs, internships, and equestrian pursuits. If you haven't already submitted your photo and post-high school plans - you can check out the IEA SENIOR CORNER webpage for details.

As we enter the final stretch of our 2023-2024 season, we sincerely thank each of our members, coaches, riders, parents, volunteers, show officials, family and friends who have supported each other and the IEA throughout the season. We love what we do and we love watching you love it too.

Best of Luck to everyone coming to Tryon - See you SOON!

Bookmark this webpage for the latest information about IEA National Finals including the Live Stream, Results, Draws, Horse Descriptions, Vendors, Activities and more!

You can also find this page at the top at www.rideiea.org.

ALL IEA RIDERS AT IEA NATIONAL FINALS 2024....JOIN US FOR IEA PROM!

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 - 6:30 - 9:30PM

RIDGE ROOM - TRYON INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Pull out those prom/homecoming/fun dresses, coats & ties and come dance the night away with your teammates and new friends. All age IEA riders welcome.

Thank you to GRIER SCHOOL for sponsoring this event.

IEA RIDERS INTERESTED IN RIDING IN COLLEGE - COME TO THE IEA NATIONAL FINALS COLLEGE FAIR!

We are almost a month away from our first ever IEA National Finals College Fair! This is an open invitation for any and all who are interested in attending. The IEA College Fair is a FREE unique opportunity to explore and discover the various academic and athletic options available for equestrian students.

Plus, the first 150 participants will receive a free exclusive IEA pennant!

For questions, please email Lauren Lane at lauren@rideiea.org

We are proud to announce the Colleges and Organizations attending:

* Alvernia University

* Averett University

* Bethany College

* Bridgewater College

* Centenary University

* Delaware Valley University

* Emory & Henry College

* Ferrum College

* Goucher College

* Hollins University

* Intercollegiate Dressage Association

* Intercollegiate Horse Show Association

* Keiser University

* Lake Erie College

* Midway University

* Mount Holyoke College

* Otterbein University

* Savannah College of Art & Design

* St. Andrews University

* Sweet Briar College

* University of Louisville Equine Industry Program

* University of Lynchburg

* Alexander Academic Access (College Advisor)

MUZZY FAMILY/MZ FARMS IEA NATIONAL FINALS INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER TRAVEL GRANT DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024

(Funded by a generous donation from The Muzzy Family and MZ Farms)

The purpose of the Muzzy Family/MZ Farms IEA Nationals Travel Grant is to assist INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIED riders who demonstrate financial need with up to $2,000 in grant money to assist them in attending Hunt Seat, Dressage or Western National Finals.

The grant will provide funding to support expenses related to one (1) rider plus a guardian and a coach to travel to IEA National Finals, in addition to related entry fees for any individual and team (if applicable) classes.

Awards will be available for all THREE IEA NATIONAL FINALS events as follows:

• Six (6) for Hunt Seat Nationals (Due 4/4/24)
• Two (2) for Dressage Nationals (Due 4/4/24)
• Two (2) for Western Nationals (Due 5/30/24)

Awards will be communicated as immediately as possible following committee review, at least one week prior to each event. Funds (checks) will be mailed to the recipient no later than 10 days following the National Finals event attended.



Note: 2023-2024 Financial Aid Recipients ARE eligible to apply.

Questions: travelgrant@rideiea.org

Your theme days at the 2024 IEA Dressage & Hunt Seat and IDA Combined National Finals are:

Day 1 Thursday - THE ERAS TOUR (IEA's Version)

Day 2 Friday - HOMETOWN OR COLLEGE REP

Day 3 Saturday - BARBIE MOVIE

Day 4 Sunday - JERSEY DAY

IEA is now accepting RIDER APPLICATIONS for the 2024 AQHA-IEA OUTSTANDING LEADER SCHOLARSHIP!

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION (including all additional documents) is MONDAY, APRIL 1, 2024 by 11:59pm PST.

The AQHA-IEA Outstanding Leader Scholarship is sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Youth Association and recognizes IEA /AQHYA members who have shown outstanding leadership qualities and a commitment to participation in one or both organizations.

Get a DISCOUNT on your AQHYA membership at the link above.

A HUGE THANK YOU to AQHA/AQHYA for your continued support of IEA Western, Hunt Seat and Dressage riders.

Short on time? Try this workout to build your core strength and position next time you're in the saddle.

Equestrian riders often focus on the conformation and fitness of their horses but often neglect the personal components fitness. However, a stable, strong rider is an asset to all horses in any discipline, from dressage, vaulting, reining and eventing. One of the most crucial areas for a rider to strengthen is the ‘core’, as it helps in maintaining the effective positions, balance, and overall communication in the saddle. We’re all short on time, here’s a quality core focused training workout, designed specifically for all equestrian disciplines. LEARN MORE>>

Equestrian Fitness Academy and Ifa Simmonds are sponsors of the IEA.

Learn more about equestrian fitness programs at www.ifafit.com.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS

Deadline for naming suggestions is April 1st

WESTERN NATIONAL FINALS INFORMATION

In 2021, the IEA thought it fitting to honor long-time IEA coach Roger Elder by renaming the IEA Coach Sportsmanship Award at Western National Finals to become a new perpetual trophy titled The Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship Award.

This award not only recognizes good sportsmanship at National Finals, but throughout the entire season. The IEA Western Committee has developed criteria and nomination process detailed in the link below.

This award in Roger’s name was graciously donated by members of the Tennessee Quarter Horse Association as well as friends and fans of Roger from IEA and the Western community.

The IEA Western Committee will choose a recipient based on nominations for the 2024 Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship Award. (Current Western Committee members are ineligible.)

Nominations are due by 11:59pm EST on Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Questions? Contact IEA Director of Marketing, Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org or IEA Western Zone Administrator, Tammy Braham at tammy.braham@rideiea.org.

More details and registration can be found at:

bit.ly/WorldShowJudgingContest

The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) Youth Judging Contest is back and better than ever at the 2024 APHA World Show! And this year, IEA Riders and Teams are invited to participate!

This year's contest features three youth levels and a horseIQ Judging Workshop that offers educational opportunities in contest strategy, scoring, calculating cuts, preparing for judges exams and so much more!

• Youth 14-18
• Youth 13 & Under
• Youth Limited Division: 14-18 and 13 & Under

Awards and belt buckles will be given in all youth divisions! Don't miss out on this opportunity to join us in Fort Worth, Texas on SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2024 to take part in the contest and expand your skills.

IEA Riders and Teams - We encourage you to form a judging team with riders from your IEA team or single riders can join up with another team if your own team is not participating. This event is produced by APHA and information and registration will be updated at the link above as it becomes available.

In the meantime, if coaches or riders have questions about participating, you may contact IEA Western Zone Administrator, Tammy Braham at tammy.braham@rideiea.org or by calling Tammy at (724) 967-5501.

(Tammy can put you in touch with coaches who are forming teams.)

This is a great opportunity to try your hand at judging while at IEA Nationals!

To learn more about the course, visit bit.ly/IEAxHorseIQ

IEA Western Judging Joins horseIQ

A new course explaining the ins and outs of IEA Western competition judging is now available on horseIQ.com!

The IEA Western Judging course explains in detail what to expect when competing in IEA Western horsemanship and reining events. It includes the draw-based competition format, judging considerations and more. Example classes are explained by expert carded judges.

Interscholastic Equestrian Association

NEW ADDRESS

Membership Office

4 Railroad Avenue - Suite 350

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

National Office (Send Donations Here)

P.O. Box 809

Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

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