Developing skilled equestrians of compassion and character...
IEA was formed and organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian
competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students.
The mission of IEA is to introduce students in private and public middle and
secondary schools (primarily ages 11 through 19) to equestrian sports.
IEA Objectives
•To promote the equestrian as an athlete
•To provide students with organized competitive opportunities
•To introduce new riders to equine sports
•To promote the IEA among middle and secondary schools
•To provide students with opportunities for further education equine sports and other equine-related matters
•To encourage liaison with other equestrian groups
•To provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated mounted and non-mounted equestrian programs
•To establish and enforce IEA rules, standards and policies
•To evolve with the continuing progress of equestrian sports
•To generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to the horse industry and all segments thereof.
IEA Competition Format
The unique aspect of these competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the horses, saddle and other tack are provided to the students at the show. The host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Some of the equipment may be borrowed from various training barns and facilities. Though the rider and horse have a short opportunity at orientation in the over fences classes, essentially, the horse is new to the rider, and the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation, not the horse. The competitions involve six classes jumping over fences no greater than three feet and numerous flat equitation classes. Western riders show in horsemanship and reining, and saddle seat riders show in both rail and individual workout classes. All disciplines offer a variety of ability levels from beginner through advanced.
Amanda Cassese won the 2011 Zone 4/Region 5 Open Equitation Fences Final aboard Lasko.
