FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Kimber Whanger
Director of Marketing & Communications
Kimber@rideiea.org | 614.542.9415
Thursday, January 13, 2022 – (Columbus, Ohio) - The American Paint Horse Association (APHA) and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) have expanded their partnership to help reach more competitive equine enthusiasts ages 9–19 across North America. The continued affiliation helps APHA and IEA bring more Youth riders into their folds, while also showcasing the organizations on a national stage via the co-hosted IEA Western National Finals at the APHA World Championship Show.
 
Details of the partnership expansion include:
  • IEA Western National Finals hosted at the APHA World Championship Show in 2023 and 2024, with an option for 2025
  • Most Valuable Paint Award at IEA National Finals events (Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage)
  • 10% IEA membership discount for first-time coaches who are APHA members

“This partnership allows APHA to showcase our breed to a large group of Youth exhibitors, and for IEA to expose their fantastic competitions to Paint Horse members,” APHA Senior Director of Judges, Shows & Education David Dellin said.
 
“This is an important example of APHA's commitment to the future,” APHA Executive Director Billy Smith said. “Along with hundreds of thousands of dollars paid out each year in scholarships, our relationship with IEA is the gold standard for Youth development.”
 
2021 marked the first year that IEA held their Western National Finals at the APHA World Show in Fort Worth, Texas. In celebration of their 20th Anniversary, IEA will host a combined National Finals on April 28 – May 1, 2022 with all three disciplines (Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage) at the Pennsylvania Farm Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
“We are excited to return to Fort Worth in 2023 for Western National Finals,” said IEA Executive Director, Roxane Durant. “APHA has been very generous and welcoming, and we look forward to expanding our relationship as well as developing educational opportunities through APHA’s interactive equine learning platform, HorseIQ™.

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About the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA):
Now in its 20th year, the IEA has over 14,000 members across the United States participating in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage disciplines. The non-profit 501(c)3 IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students (grades 4-12) and is open to public and private schools and barn teams. There is no need for a rider to own a horse because the IEA supplies a mount and tack to each equestrian for competitions. Its purpose is to set minimum standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, and to generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction. For more information, visit www.rideiea.org
ABOUT APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded in 1962. APHA promotes, preserves, and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. For more information, please visit www.apha.com
Interscholastic Equestrian Association
Membership Office
607 North Avenue, Door 18,2nd Floor
Wakefield, MA 01880

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