Developing skilled equestrians of compassion and character...
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association IEA was formed and organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students in grades 4-12.
IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics.
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 jumping classes and flat equitation classes for all ability levels from beginner through advanced.
IEA Coach Amanda Cassese won the 2011 Zone 4/Region 5 Open Equitation Fences Final aboard Lasko.
IEA provides an affordable alternative to classical showing, giving fourth through twelfth grade students the opportunity to compete in a team environment and prepare them for the college levels at the same time.
At the high school level, colleges (both equestrian colleges and universities with emerging NCAA programs) scout for talent, as well as offer scholarships.
