FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Kimber Whanger

IEA Director of Marketing & Communications

Kimber@rideiea.org | 614.542.9415

www.rideiea.org

IEA Ends 20^th Anniversary Season With 

Record-Number National Finals

Thursday, May 5, 2022 (Columbus, OH)

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) completed their 20^th Anniversary season on April 28 – May 1, 2022 with a combined 4-day National Finals competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Over 750 of the nation’s leading middle school and high school equestrian athletes (in grades 4-12) representing 242 different teams from across the United States gathered to compete as individuals and teams for top honors in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage classes, championship titles and collegiate scholarships. IEA had a total of 1,458 teams this season with 84 teams qualifying for the National Finals team competitions.  This was the largest National Finals event IEA has produced in their 20-year history.

Upper School Western Team Champions - Flamekissed Equestrian Team poses with their awards.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Similar to the collegiate riding format, IEA utilizes a unique draw-based competition format whereby riders compete on unfamiliar horses in the following classes:  Hunt Seat Equitation over fences and on the flat, Western Horsemanship, Reining, and Ranch Riding, Dressage Test and Dressage Seat Equitation. IEA riders must develop their catch-riding skills as very little to no warm-up practice is allowed before each class. All tack and horses for National Finals were provided by IEA member teams and outside horse providers – allowing for a more level playing field of competition. 

Many hands make light work and indeed many hands were needed on-deck for a competition of this size and scope.  A complete list of officials and show staff for the IEA 20^th Anniversary National Finals can be found here.

DAY 1 – THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

Hunt Seat promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Thursday’s competition began with Hunt Seat Upper School team competition in the expansive and historical New Holland Arena (Ring #1).  18 Hunt Seat High School teams were represented with top honors going to Sharkey Farms (Zone 9 – Snoqualmie, Washington) coached by Kate Sharkey and Tiffany Woods.  Reserve Upper School Champion Team went to Empire State Equestrian Team (Zone 2 – Lagrangeville, New York) coached by Clare Knapp.  The remaining top 8 Hunt Seat Upper School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      Belmont Training (Zone 10)
• Cassie Belmont
• 4th Place      Empress Equestrian Team (Zone 5)
• Jamie Mills
• 5th Place      St. Timothy's School (Zone 3)
• Brianna Belter, Matt Payne
• 6th Place      Evermore Farm (Zone 4)
• Eleanor Ellis, Emmeline Guerard
• 7th Place      Scots Ridge (Zone 4)
• Christen Khym
• 8th Place      Dana Hall School (Zone 1)
• Dani Corkill, Lia Chafee, Carly Carbacho, Sarah Summers

Hunt Seat Upper School Team Champions - Sharkey Farms.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Hunt Seat Upper School Reserve Team Champions - Empire State Equestrian Team.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

About 50 yards away from the New Holland Arena, IEA Dressage and Western Middle School teams were equally competitive in the Equine Arena (Ring #2) as 12 teams from each discipline vied for their own championship titles.  Each morning Ring #2 began with Dressage competition in the morning followed by Western classes in the afternoon.  Top Dressage Middle School Team honors went to Laurel Manor Equestrian (Region 7 – Centerton, Arkansas) coached by Laura McKenzie Duncan.  Reserve Middle School Champion Team went to RCR Farms (Region 8 – Gilbert, Arizona) coached by Renae Coates and Jennifer Brinkman-Ayers.  The remaining top 8 Dressage Middle School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      Duzan Equestrian Team (Region D5B)
• Molly Wirtz, Samantha Keeran
• 4th Place      Essex Equestrian Center (Region D11E)
• Jennifer Griggs, Tim Lauzarder
• 5th Place      Grier School (Region D11W)
• Chrystal Wood, Frannie King, Chris McElyea
• 6th Place      Cedar Lodge Equestrian (Region D5A)
• Amy Edwards
• 7th Place      Skye Valley Training (Region D10)
• Jami Martin, Ainsley Faraday
• 8th Place      Green Acres Equestrians (Region D1)
• Dawn Dascomb

Dressage Middle School Team Champions - Laurel Manor Equestrian.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Dressage Middle School Reserve Team Champions - RCR Farms.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Western Middle School Team Champions - Grier School.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Top Western Middle School Team honors went to Grier School (Region W11 – Birmingham, PA) coached by Chris McElyea.  Reserve Middle School Champion Team went to Western NY Equestrian (Region 2 – Gowanda, NY) coached by Heather Payne.  The remaining top 8 Western Middle School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      Designed by Faith (Region W5N)
• Danielle McDermott
• 4th Place      Autumn Rose Equestrian (Region W5S)
• Debbie Griffith, Ashley Griffith, Abbie Noble
• 5th Place      KM Equestrian Black (Region W5N)
• Katie Morehead, Cindy Morehead, Leah Ely
• 6th Place      Rocky Mountain Wranglers (Region W8)
• Mark Guynn, Jimmy Daurio
• 7th Place      Halvorson Ranch (Region W7)
• Rebecca Halvorson
• 8th Place      Big Red Elite (Region W6)
• Kelsey Ebke

Western Middle School Team Champions - Grier School. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Western Middle School Reserve Team Champions - Western NY Equestrian. Photo by Winslow Photography.

In addition to Thursday’s team competitions, IEA hosted a “Sugar Rush Party” in the afternoon complete with a donut-bar.  This event was sponsored by Equine Mastery Education System (EMES) with CEO/Founder, Raegan Comeaux speaking to members on the importance of Equine Education and best practices.  

DAY 2 – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022

Hunt Seat promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Friday’s competition kicked-off the USHJA (United States Hunter Jumper Association) sponsored individual classes for Upper School Hunt Seat riders (Ring #1) as well as Middle School Dressage and Western Riders (Ring #2).  Individual class winners are some of the most coveted titles as these classes represent the top riders in the nation who have bested their fellow competitors through regular season, regional and zone competitions to qualify for National Finals.  

Ian McFarlin was one of many scholarship winners at National Finals.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Each individual class of 18 Upper School Hunt Seat riders and 12 Middle School Dressage/Western riders were crowned numerous sponsored awards throughout the day including Hunt Seat trophies from USHJA, Reining trophies from NRHA (National Reining Horse Association), Western Horsemanship trophies from NSBA (National Snaffle Bit Association) and Western buckles sponsored by Rod’s Western Palace.  

In addition to beautiful ribbons, awards, prizes and gift certificates, multiple cash scholarships from IEA were awarded to the highest placing and second highest placing seniors in each individual class throughout the weekend.  More than $25,000 in IEA Founders Senior Scholarships were distributed.  Additional scholarships from the University of Findlay, St. Andrews University, and Long Island University were also awarded to top placing juniors and seniors. 

Western promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Dressage promo shot by Winslow Photography.

The end of the day highlight on Friday culminated in a festive and energetic Team Parade which included all participating teams, individuals, coaches, and the occasional canine who marched in Zone order and were individually recognized.  Teams dressed up in a variety of fun costumes and team-wear to show off their team spirit. IEA Executive Director, Roxane Durant led the parade announcements and traditional “get-to-know-you” games as well as announcing the location for the 2023 IEA National Finals.  Hunt Seat and Dressage will combine to compete in Tryon, North Carolina in late April 2023 and Western will return to Fort Worth, Texas to compete during the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) World Show in June/July.

On a more serious note, Durant turned the attention to the 2021 Timothy J. Boone Lifetime Achievement award winner, Nancy Kohler-Cunningham who passed away last month after a two-year battle with cancer. Nancy was a long-time IEA steward, Board Member, Board President and friend of IEA.  A moment of silence was held in her honor.  Durant then continued by presenting the 2022 Timothy J. Boone Lifetime Achievement award to current IEA Board President and IEA Coach, Katie Schaaf. Following that presentation, IEA Zone Captain Simon Towns, presented Durant with a special gift commemorating her successful vision and the past 20 years of IEA.

2022 IEA Timothy J. Boone Lifetime Achievement Award Winner - Katie Schaaf.  Photo courtesy of Katie Schaaf.

Following the parade, members packed into the Northeast Hall Vendor area for Member Appreciation Night – a celebration of food, live music by singer Cole Biedenharn, give-aways, shopping, and photo opportunities.  Member Appreciation Night was sponsored by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA).

DAY 3 - SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2022

Hunt Seat promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Saturday’s competition was jam-packed with USHJA sponsored individual classes for Hunt Seat Middle School, Dressage and NRHA and NSBA sponsored classes for Western Upper School including IEA’s marquee Hunt Seat class – the Varsity Open Championship (VOC).  Numerous prizes and cash awards are presented during this class.  The 2022 VOC class was sponsored by Otterbein University.

The Varsity Open Championship class is made up of the top Upper School rider from each of the 11 Zones.  In addition, the winner of the Varsity Open Equitation Individual over fences and the Varsity Open Equitation on the flat Individual classes are included as wild card slots. Winning this prestigious class was sophomore Alina Sweeney from Patuxent Run Stables (Zone 3 – Prince Frederick, Maryland) coached by Savannah English. Reserve VOC honors went to senior Kennedy Dewan from Foxtail Farm (Zone 3 – Virginia Beach, Virginia) coached by Dana Kiser and Sugi Dewan. 

Varsity Open Championship Winner and Leading Hunt Seat Rider - Alina Sweeney.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Individuals tuning into the live stream of National Finals were treated to a variety of commentators and guests, including Olympic Dressage Gold Medalist, Lendon Gray who commentated all four days of Dressage classes along with IEA Membership Marketing Coordinator, Jennifer Eaton. IEA Sales Manager and USEF 'r' judge, Megan Taylor commentated both Hunt Seat and Western classes along with IEA coach, Dustin Boehmer, IEA Executive Director, Roxane Durant and Cory Kieschnick, Chair of Equine Science & Management at Delaware Valley University. 

Dressage Olympian Lendon Gray (in blue) commentated all four days of Dressage Classes on the live stream with Jennifer Eaton. 

Photo courtesy of Kimber Whanger.

Dressage Leading Rider - Sammy Jetton.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

In the Dressage/Western arena, individual Upper School Leading Rider titles went to junior Sammy Jetton from RCR Farms (Region 8 – Gilbert, Arizona) who was crowned Dressage Leading Rider.  Sammy is coached by Renae Coates and Jennifer Brinkman-Ayers.

Junior Payton Porterfield from Aspire Equestrian Team (Region 8 – Franktown, Colorado) was awarded the Myron Leff Western Leading Rider Award. Payton is coached by Bridget Rohde.

Western Leading Rider - Payton Porterfield, pictured here with presenter Leah Ely of the University of Findlay.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

In 2021, The IEA Western Committee thought it fitting to honor the memory of the long-time coach, Roger Elder by creating a new IEA Coach Sportsmanship Award to become a new perpetual trophy titled The Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship Award.  This new award not only recognizes good sportsmanship at National Finals, but throughout a coach’s IEA history.  The Western Committee developed a nomination process and nominees were selected back in March.  This award in Roger’s name was graciously donated by members of the Tennessee Quarter Horse Association. 

The Western Committee was thrilled to receive many outstanding nominations for this year’s Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship award and unanimously agreed that these two women rose to the top as great examples of dedication and kindness and IEA values.  The two recipients of the 2022 award are Sandra Elder (Roger's wife) and coach of Last Lap Ranch and Linda Dare, coach of Dare Equestrian Team. 

2022 Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship Award Co-Winner, Linda Dare.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Two lucky Western riders won saddle certificates to Bob’s Custom Saddles –Danica Silleman (TMC – Region W2) and Abigail Tibbits (Aspire Equestrian – Region W8).  These two awards were drawn from the winners of both middle school and upper school individual classes. The third saddle certificate was awarded to Payton Porterfield as winner of the Western Leading Rider award.

Abigail Tibbets just won one of three Bob's Custom Saddles. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Abigail Tibbits is presented with a Bob's Custom Saddle Certificate for a new Western saddle. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Saturday’s competition ended with fun and games and an ice-cream social organized and run by the IEA Youth Board.  Riders gathered in Ring #1 to let off some energy with water balloons, bouncy balls, roping, boot scramble, and other party games.  This event was sponsored by Grier School.

In addition to running the IEA Youth Board Game Night & Ice Cream Social, Youth Board members were busy all week organizing and presenting awards, manning educational booths, and serving as tireless volunteers and social leaders.  The IEA Youth Board is made up of 16 peer-elected representatives from each of the IEA Zones.

DAY 4 – SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2022

Dressage promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Western promo shot by Winslow Photography.

Closing Day of National Finals saw the remaining team competitions – Hunt Seat Middle School, Dressage Upper School and Western Middle School.  Despite previous long-days and numerous activities – energy was still very high as team riders volleyed for points for their teams and competition was fierce.

Top Hunt Seat Middle School Team honors went to Sporthorse Intl (Zone 4 – Boyton Beach, Florida) coached by Kristin Schuttemeyer.  Reserve Middle School Champion Team went to Cranberry Acres (Zone 1 – Marshfield, Massachusetts) coached by Kate Paul.  The top remaining 8 Hunt Seat Middle School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      Empress Equestrian (Zone 5)
• Jamie Mills
• 4th Place      Empower Equestrian Team (Zone 8)
• Leslie Wenstrom, Megan Downey
• 5th Place      Bay Ridge Stables (Zone 11)
• Kelly Knight
• 6th Place      TerryAllen Farms (Zone 1)
• Samantha Borkoski
• 7th Place      Candy Lane Acres (Zone 11)
• Chelsie Stair, Hayley Stair
• 8th Place     Foxtail Farm (Zone 3)
• Dana Kiser, Sugi Dewan

Hunt Seat Middle School Champion Team - Sporthorse Intl.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Hunt Seat Middle School Reserve Champion Team - Cranberry Acres.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Top Dressage Upper School Team honors went to Grier School (Region D11W – Birmingham, Pennsylvania) coached by Chrystal Wood, Frannie King, Chris McElyea and Kristen Gretok.  Reserve Upper School Champion Team went to RGB (Region D2 - New Berlin, New York) coached by Ronald Bartholomew and Alissa Donnell.  

The top remaining 8 Dressage Upper School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      Duzan Equestrian Team (Region D5B)
• Molly Wirtz, Samantha Keeran
• 4th Place      RCR Farms (Region D8)
• Renae Coates, Jennifer Brinkman-Ayers
• 5th Place      Lauren Manor Equestrian - Emerald (Region D7)
• Laura McKenzie Duncan
• 6th Place      Hidden Creek Equestrian (Region D11A)
• Jill Kuc, Rebecca Kuc
• 7th Place      Green Acres Equestrian (Region D1)
• Dawn Dascomb
• 8th Place      Cedar Lodge Equestrian Team (Region D5A)
• Amy Edwards

Dressage Upper School Team Champions - Grier School.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Dressage Upper School Reserve Champion Team - RGB.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Top Western Upper School Team honors went to Flamekissed Equestrian Team (Region W4) coached by Amanda Pope and Ruth Sorrel.  Reserve Upper School Champion Team went to KM Equestrian Purple(Region W5N) coached by Katie Morehead, Cindy Morehead and Leah Ely.  The top remaining 8 Western Upper School teams were as follows:

• 3rd Place      King Show Horses (Region W4)
• Jennifer King
• 4th Place      Halvorson Ranch (Region W7)
• Rebecca Halvorson
• 5th Place      Saddlebrook Equestrian (Region W11)
• Andrew Wolf, Ashley Wolf
• 6th Place      Nothin But Chrome (Region W5N)
• Hope Schoendorf, Katie Rose, Gretchen Deeds, Nikole Chaffin
• 7th Place      Dare Equestrian Team (Region W5S)
• Linda Dare
• 8th Place      Western NY Equestrian Team (Region W2)
• Heather Payne  

Western Upper School Champion Team - Flamekissed Equestrian.  Photo by Winslow Photography.

Western Upper School Reserve Champion Team - KM Equestrian Purple. Photo by Winslow Photography.

The following Special Awards were presented during National Finals:

HUNT SEAT

• Leading Hunt Seat Rider – Alina Sweeney (Patuxent Run Stables - Z3)
• Rider Sportsmanship Award – Ian McFarlin (Tallahassee Riding Academy-H4)
• Coach Sportsmanship Award – Samantha Borkoski (TerryAllen Farms - Z1)
• (Award Sponsored by Katie Schaaf)
• Team Spirit Award – Valley Brook Equestrian - Z10
• Volunteer of the Show – Samantha Bourk
• Outstanding Hunt Seat Fences Horse – Starter provided by Grier School
• (Award Sponsored by Nancy Kohler-Cunningham)

• Outstanding Hunt Seat Flat Horse – Grant provided by SUNY Morrisville 
• (Award Sponsored by Nancy Kohler-Cunningham)
• The Nancy Kohler-Cunningham Stewards Choice Horse Award – Holly provided by Candy Lane Acres
• APHA Most Valuable Paint (MVP) – Luna provided by Candy Lane Acres 
• (Award Sponsored by American Paint Horse Association)
• Thoroughbred Horse of the Show – Brenham provided by Candy Lane Acres 
• (Award Sponsored by Thoroughbred Incentive Program)

DRESSAGE

• Leading Dressage Rider - Sammy Jetton (RCR Farms - R8)
• Rider Sportsmanship Award - Elizabeth Pickering (RGB - R2)
• Coach Sportsmanship Award - Amy Edwards (Cedar Lodge Equestrian - D5A)
• Team Spirit Award - Grier School
• Volunteer of the Show - Tammy Hagan
• Outstanding Dressage Test Horse - Remy provided by Mystic Meadows
• Outstanding Dressage Seat Equitation Horse - Zeus provided by RGB
• APHA Most Valuable Paint (MVP) - River provided by North Country Horses 
• (Award Sponsored by American Paint Horse Association)
• Thoroughbred Horse of the Show - Lucy provided by Talbot Run 
• (Award Sponsored by Thoroughbred Incentive Program)

WESTERN

• The Myron Leff Western Leading Rider - Payton Porterfield (Aspire Equestrian Team - R8)
• Rider Sportsmanship Award - Faith Pasmore (Saddlebrook Equestrian - R11)
• Coach Sportsmanship Award - Amanda Vance (North Country Horses)
• The Roger Elder Memorial Coach Sportsmanship Award - Sandra Elder (Last Lap Ranch - R4) and Linda Dare (Dare Equestrian Team - R5S)
• Team Spirit Award - Saddlebrook Equestrian Team - R11
• Volunteer of the Show - Keri Morawiec (Nashoba Valley Sliders - R1)
• NRHA Outstanding Western Reining Horse - Patrick provided by Marciak/Caustelot - R11
• (Award Sponsored by National Reining Horse Association)
• Outstanding Horsemanship Horse - Mya provided by Ava Sinclair/Designed by Faith Equestrians - R5N
• APHA Most Valuable Paint (MVP) - Elvis provided by Grier School
• (Award Sponsored by American Paint Horse Association)
• Bob's Custom Saddles Certificate Winners for a custom saddle
• (Sponsored by Bob's Custom Saddles)
• Payton Porterfield (Aspire Equestrian Team - R8)
• Abigail Tibbits (Aspire Equestrian Team - R8)
• Danica Silleman (TMC - R2)

Hunt Seat Coach Sportsmanship Award Winner – Samantha Borkoski (TerryAllen Farms - Z1)

In addition to riding competitions, IEA also held an online Horsemanship Knowledge Test for all IEA riders and Junior Contributing Members.  This program is sponsored by United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC).  More than 400 members took the 25-question timed quiz.  The top eight middle and upper school placings for each discipline were announced and can be found at https://www.rideiea.org/2022nationalfinals/

IEA National Finals was photographed by Winslow Photography.  More than 100,000 photos can be found at http://winslowphoto.photostockplus.com/album/3912230/

The entire event was live steamed by ClipMyHorse.TV with financial support from United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  Video archives from IEA National Finals can be found at: https://www.usef.org/network/coverage/2022ieanational/ and

at: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/8566/iea-national-finals

A full list of archived results will be available at

https://www.rideiea.org/2022nationalfinals/

A full list of sponsors can be found at: https://www.rideiea.org/sponsors/

Questions about IEA National Finals can be directed to Media Contact – Kimber Whanger (Kimber@rideiea.org) or the IEA Membership Office (info@rideiea.org). 

###

Outstanding Hunt Seat Fences Horse - Starter provided by Grier School. Award sponsored by Nancy Kohler-Cunningham. 

Photo by Winslow Photography.

Outstanding Hunt Seat Flat Horse - Grant provided by SUNY Morrisville. Award sponsored by Nancy Kohler-Cunningham. 

Photo by Winslow Photography.

NRHA Outstanding Reining Horse  - Patrick provided by Marciak/Caustelot.  Award sponsored by National Reining Horse Association.

Photo by Winslow Photography.

Outstanding Horsemanship Horse - Mya provided by Ava Sinclair/Designed by Faith Equestrians. Photo by Winslow Photography.

APHA Most Valuable Paint (MVP) - Elvis provided by Grier School. Award sponsored by the American Paint Horse Association. 

Photo by Winslow Photography.

Outstanding Dressage Test Horse - Remy provided by Mystic Meadows. Photo by Winslow Photography.

Outstanding Dressage Seat Equitation Horse - Zeus provided by RGB. Photo by Winslow Photography.

About the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA):

Now heading into its 21st year, the IEA has over 14,200 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