Dear IEA Member,

We are thrilled you have joined us for the 2019-2020 IEA Season!

Some of our members already have a show or two under their belts and, we are delighted to receive your photos and see your enthusiasm on our social media pages. Keep it coming!
If you are NEW to IEA, we welcome you and want to help you have your best experience.

This is an exciting season for many reasons...
  • The new official Dressage program kicks off this year after a successful 3-year pilot program.
  • We've added the 4th and 5th grade INTRO rider pilot program for all disciplines and are seeing hundreds of young riders joining the organization.
  • We have added walk/trot and walk/jog classes for beginning middle school and upper school riders.
  • We've heard the suggestions from our Western members and updated new reining patterns for the upper levels and horsemanship patterns for the Novice levels.
  • We've created Dressage Tests specific to IEA members.
  • We will now have 3 NATIONAL FINALS this season.
  • We've recently hired several new staff members to assist with the growth of the organization.

The following links include resources that will be helpful in answering questions about rules, patterns and tests, and general information. Please contact us if you need further info.
TEAM MEMBERSHIP DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 1
(Riders may join teams after November 1st.)
Questions about new or returning memberships?
Contact the IEA Membership Office at info@rideiea.org or call 1-877-RIDE-IEA .
Important Upcoming Dates and Locations
  • Hunt Seat Zone 1 Finals - March 28, 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.
Judges Selected for IEA National Finals
HUNT SEAT NATIONAL FINALS
Tom Brennan - USEF "R" - Round Hill, VA
Mary Babick - USEF "R" - Freehold, NJ

DRESSAGE NATIONAL FINALS
Sarah Zimmerman Michael - USDF "S" - Portage, MI

WESTERN NATIONAL FINALS
Daren Wright - AQHA, NSBA - Chillicothe, OH
Debra Jones Wright - AQHA, NRHA, NSBA - Abbeville, SC
Introducing Your 2019-2020
IEA Youth Board Representatives
IEA recently announced the elected members of the 2019-2020 IEA Youth Board. The Youth Board was created by the IEA’s Education Committee in 2016 and is governed by Adult Advisors Shara Prieskorn (IEA Membership Office Coordinator), Simon Towns (Zone Captain), and Sue Wentzel (IEA National Steward), as well as two IEA Alumni - Hannah Bentz and Aubrey Braham.  

The IEA Youth Board is structured with one student representative from each of the ten Hunt Seat Zones and four representatives from among the nine Western Regions.   READ MORE
IEA Executive Marketing Team Tours
Weaver Leather Manufacturing Plant
In October, five members of the IEA Executive Marketing Team traveled to Mt. Hope, OH for the honor of an exclusive tour of the Weaver Leather manufacturing plant. IEA is proud to list Weaver Leather as a gold level sponsor and we were amazed at both the size and scope of the operation of this enormous and pristine family-owned company.

Outstanding tour guide Myron Stutzman ( who has been with Weaver Leather for nearly 45 years) gave an insiders view of the history of the company from a one-man operation into a now 400+ employee, multi-faceted operation - including how hundreds of Weaver Leather products are designed, produced, and shipped around the world. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to our friends at Weaver for this fantastic opportunity and for their support of IEA and the equine industry.

We loved the signage displayed throughout the buildings and think that it can apply to all of us at IEA.

Interested in learning more about Weaver Leather products or a tour? Visit them at weaverleather.com.
Kate Sharkey Appointed Zone 9 Administrator
IEA is pleased to announce new leadership on the west coast.
 
Kate Sharkey  of Snoqualmie, Washington has been appointed the new Zone 9 Administrator for Hunt Seat ( Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming). Sharkey replaces former interim Zone 9 Administrator Jennifer Eaton, who will continue to aid in the transition through the 2019-2020 season. A long-time IEA employee, Eaton currently serves as the IEA Marketing Membership Coordinator and has been largely responsible for establishing and managing the growth in the relatively new Zone 9 area. READ MORE...
In addition to TROXEL being a fantastic IEA Sponsor, they also offer a beautifully designed helmet resource guide that is helpful for any rider or coach when purchasing a helmet.
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.
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 .
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.
Looking For A Way To Expand Your Equine Business? Become an IEA Sponsor.
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 nearly 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 or by calling 931-224-5707.
Dressage Special Event for Zone 7 Members
and Non-IEA Dressage Riders
Silent Knight Stables and IEA are hosting a special Dressage Horse Show and Membership Drive event on November 16-17. This is a unique opportunity for IEA Hunt Seat or Western riders and non-IEA Dressage riders wishing to try out the IEA Dressage competition format. Contact IEA Dressage Administrator, Emily David or Show Host, Shannon Flanagan for details. Deadline to enter is October 31, 2019.
Sports Illustrated Features IEA Western Rider
THREE-TIME IEA Leading Western Rider, ELLEXXAH MAXWELL (Autumn Rose Farm Equestrian Team - Region 5-2) is featured on page 28 in the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FACES IN THE CROWD section for her 2019 wins at the IEA Western National Finals.
Congratulations again to Ellexxah on her MANY accomplishments and for being selected out of thousands of high school athlete submissions each year to the magazine. Ellexxah was the IEA Leading Western rider in 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Interscholastic Equestrian Association
Membership Office
607 North Avenue, Door 18
2nd Floor
Wakefield, MA 01880

Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm (Eastern)
Phone: 877-RIDE-IEA | 877-743-3432
Fax: 508-597-7373
IEA Staff
Roxane Durant - Co-Founder and Executive Director
Myron Leff - Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Jennifer Eaton - Membership Marketing Coordinator
Kathryn Quinlan - Membership Office Manager
Shara Prieskorn - Membership Office Coordinator & Youth Board Advisor
Kimber Whanger - Communications Coordinator
Simon Towns - Zone Captain
Bernie Villeneuve - National Finals Coordinator
Megan Taylor - Sales Representative
Sue Wentzel - National Steward

IEA is proud to partner with the following organizations:
National Reining Horse Association
Intercollegiate Horse Show Association
American Youth Horse Council
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United States Hunter Jumper Association
National Collegiate Equestrian Association
American Paint Horse Association
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US Equestrian
Certified Horsemanship Association
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United States Pony Clubs
Intercollegiate Dressage Association
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National Snaffle Bit Association
United States Dressage Federation
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