JANUARY 17, 2025

Dear IEA Members & Friends:

Happy New Year! We hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday time with family and friends. It is hard to believe that we only have about 3.5 months left in the Hunt Seat/Dressage IEA season. Honestly, this year feels like both the shortest and the longest IEA season ever with so many new and exciting things happening as well as huge learning curves and changes.

While we are still focused on catching up on the input of show results and points, we are also ramping up in high gear for National Finals planning and all the end-of-year activities, celebrations, events and scholarship opportunities. As you know, IEA is hosting this year's National Finals in a "new-to-us" venue in Lake St. Louis, MO which means new ideas, set-ups, themes, and events. We are happy to announce that Hunt Seat Zone 5 has been named the official show host of the Hunt Seat National Finals, which means they will receive the extra rider/team allotment to National Finals. Allotments for all Zones will be posted before the end of the month on each zone page.

The 2025 National Finals webpage is also being updated regularly, so check there for hotel information, schedules, events, and more.

Per usual, this e-newsletter is chock full of information. Thank you for carefully reading through it. Congratulations and Best of Luck to all riders who are already qualified for Region Finals or have a few shows left to complete. Be sure to tag us @rideiea in all your social media photos so we can share and celebrate your success!

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS

HOW TO SEE/FIND YOUR RIDER & TEAM POINTS/RESULTS

IMPORTANT: RESULTS ARE STILL BEING UPLOADED DAILY. PLEASE CHECK BACK EACH DAY TO SEE NEW RESULTS AS DATA WILL BE UPDATING FREQUENTLY OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THANK YOU.

Thank you for your patience as we have been diligently working for months on figuring out how to input/build/display/distribute show results this season while simultaneously building and testing these new functions within the AccessIEA system. We are happy to report that we are beginning to see the end-of-the-tunnel, so to speak, on this process. Early on some results were being added to the Tentative Calendars but now ALL RESULTS THAT ARE UPLOADED CAN NOW BE SEEN DIRECTLY IN ACCESSIEA.

These results are available to all Access Users (Parents) and Members (Coaches & ACM's). Instructions have been uploaded to each Hunt Seat Zone webpage at www.rideiea.org as well as the main webpages for Western and Dressage and are listed as follows.

COACH & ACM INSTRUCTIONS FOR VIEWING RESULTS:

• Login into your AccessIEA Account.
• Coaches can select a Team (Upper or Futures).
• Click on the PERFORMANCE tab in the upper right hand of the screen.
• Coaches can toggle between RIDER PERFORMANCE and TEAM PERFORMANCE BY CLASS to see their team points by show and total points.
• Note: Occasionally it takes a second or two to load.
• If a coach has point discrepancies to report, it is important that they review the individual rider points and send the membership office specific details including rider, show & date, class, and what they believe the rider should have earned.

PARENT/USER INSTUCTIONS FOR VIEWING THEIR RIDER'S RESULTS:

• Login into your AccessIEA Account.
• Parent/Users select MANAGE MY YOUTH and then the green eyeball icon to view their rider.
• Click on the PERFORMANCE tab in the upper right hand of the screen.
• Choose the SEASON DISCIPLINE.
• Choose the SEASON YEAR.
• Note: Occasionally it takes a second or two to load.
• Parents should review any issues that they find with their team coach BEFORE contacting the membership office.

Test Your Horse Knowledge with the IEA National Hippology Academy

The National Hippology Academy (NHA) is available for both IEA Rider Members and non-rider members from 4th grade to adults. We have activities for all knowledge levels!

IEA youth and adult rider members will have the option to enroll when they register to join a team. The fee to join is $25. The program is FREE for Junior Education Members (JEM). 

If you are an IEA Member that has already joined as a rider or Adult Contributing Member and now want to add on the Hippology program - reach out to JENNIFER EATON at jenn@rideiea.org or call 1-877-RIDE-IEA ext. 203 to be emailed a link to pay and participate.

The 2024-2025 Hippology program started in October but enrollment is open through April 30, 2025. Information on how to access online quizzes and activities will be sent out to all participants following registration.

Follow IEA National Hippology Academy on Instagram @nhabyiea

John Deere and Equine Discounts are Sponsors of the IEA and this is a paid advertisement.

WHEN IS MY ZONE FINALS?

HUNT SEAT ZONE 1 - March 29 - 30, 2025

Eastern States Exposition - West Springfield, MA

HUNT SEAT ZONE 2 - March 21 - 23, 2025

Gardnertown Farm - Newburgh, NY

HUNT SEAT ZONE 3 - March 14 - 16, 2025

Virginia Horse Center - Lexington, VA

HUNT SEAT ZONE 4 - March 15 -16, 2025

Tryon International - Mill Spring, NC

HUNT SEAT ZONE 5 - March 21 - 23, 2025

Albion College - Albion, MI

HUNT SEAT ZONE 7 - March 1 - 2, 2025

Oklahoma City Fairgrounds - Oklahoma City, OK

HUNT SEAT ZONE 8 - March 1 - 2, 2025

Double Check Arena - Eaton, CO

HUNT SEAT ZONE 9 - March 8 - 9, 2025

Lynden, WA

HUNT SEAT ZONE 10 - March 22 - 23, 2025

LA Equestrian Center - Burbank, CA

HUNT SEAT ZONE 11 - March 28 - 30, 2025

The Grange Fairgrounds - Centre Hall, PA

DRESSAGE ZONE 1 - March 7 - 9, 2025

Mt Holyoke Equestrian Center - South Hadley, MA

DRESSAGE ZONE 2 - February 15 - 16, 2025

Delaware Valley College - Doylestown, PA

DRESSAGE ZONE 3 - March 22 - 23, 2025

Virginia Tech - Winchester, VA

DRESSAGE ZONE 4 - Feb 22 - 23, 2025

Otterbein University - Westerville, OH

DRESSAGE ZONE 5 - March 22 - 23, 2025

Small Side Farm - Arlington, TX

DRESSAGE ZONE 6 - March 1 - 2, 2025

Los Angeles Equestrian Center - Burbank, CA

NSBA is a Sponsor of the IEA and this is a paid advertisement.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ESSAYS - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2025

^{IEA, in partnership with author and Wall Street Journalist, Lettie Teague is offering a unique opportunity for IEA youth members in grades 5-12 to engage in creative writing.}

^{SEE FULL CONTEST RULES AND INFORMATION >>}

Ororo is a Sponsor of the IEA and this is a paid advertisement.

IEA is excited to announce we are hosting our Interscholastic Equestrian Association College Fair again this year! This event is open to any and all, not just National Final qualifiers. The IEA College Fair is a FREE unique opportunity to explore and discover the various academic and athletic options available for equestrian students.

LOCATION: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24 & THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2025 in the upstairs viewing lounge overlooking the Hunt Seat arena.

This is not your typical college fair- this is a college fair designed with you in mind. You will get to:

• Enjoy exclusive access to this unmatched event, where education meets equestrian excellence.
• Meet the experts and learn about the admission requirements, curriculum, facilities, scholarships, and career opportunities each equine program offers.
• Customize your experience to your interests and goals, and get personalized advice and guidance from college representatives.
• Have fun and meet new people who share your passion and aspirations

Are you a college representative looking to participate? Please email Megan Taylor at megan@rideiea.org. For any other questions, please email Lauren Lane at lauren@rideiea.org.

Congratulations to IEA Hunt Seat Zone 2 Administrator, LANA CIARAMELLA on being the recipient of the 2024 Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant, which supports the furtherance of equestrian education. Ciaramella was announced as this year's recipient at the 2024 United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Annual Meeting in December.

"I am truly honored to be awarded this year’s Naomi Blumenthal Memorial Training Grant, said Ciaramella. Naomi’s unwavering dedication to education and the equine industry was an inspiration to myself, as well as countless others. As a lifelong learner, I am humbled to have the opportunity to pursue training to give back to the equine community through the USHJA in her memory."

READ FULL PRESS RELEASE >>

IEA is proud to continue our partnership with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA) to provide expanded scholarship opportunities for IEA riders with AQHYA memberships.

The IEA and AQHA have similar missions of promoting lifelong involvement in equestrian activities with a strong desire to develop youth involvement and their leadership skills. This partnership provides opportunities for IEA youth Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage members to fund their future endeavors in the equine industry which mutually benefits both organizations.

IEA youth riders who are also AQHYA members are able to earn various scholarships through the AQHA-IEA Outstanding Leader Scholarship. A total of six AQHA-IEA Leader scholarships will be awarded to IEA members – two per discipline – each season.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS: TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025 - LEARN MORE >>

COACHES - Learn about the benefits of becoming a United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Recognized Riding Academy. READ >>

G2804 - 1 Election of Region Presidents

Region presidents are elected every two years or any time a new region is added. A special

election will be held if the current regional president position is vacated and an interim region president is needed.

At a meeting of each active region, or by some other fair and reasonable method, the qualified adult IEA members in the region will nominate members or self nominate for the position of region president. To be eligible for the position of region president, the nominee must be an active adult IEA member in good standing. Nominations for region president must be submitted to the zone administrator no later than April 1st each year. The zone administrator and zone ethics committee will review the nominations and put together a slate of approved nominees. All adult IEA members of each zone will vote to approve or disapprove the slate presented by their zone administrator and their zone ethics committee no later than May 1st. If the majority votes to disapprove, then the nomination process will be reopened.

The IEA member must endorse the ballot, and the ballot must be returned to and received by the zone administrator by the deadline date set by IEA.

There will be one vote per IEA adult member.

Region Presidents play a very important role in the IEA. These tireless volunteers are responsible for organizing all the regular season and post-season horse shows in each of the 100 IEA regions across the nation. Ideally, Team Captains & Youth Board members work closely with their Region Presidents to support them in their efforts and spread important information to the members in their respective areas. In turn, Region Presidents work closely with Zone Administrators to conduct post-season regional, zone, and national shows, fundraisers, and events. Shout out to the 125+ IEA Region Presidents who are doing an outstanding job and be sure to thank YOUR Region President at your next show.

Know before you show. All IEA rule books can be found HERE.

IEA is partnering with the Color Breed Council, Pinto Horse Association of America Inc., APHA, NSBA and three other draw-based (catch-ride) organizations for a special education session at the 2025 International Equine Judges Seminar in Tulsa, OK on January 24-26, 2025.

The DRAW-BASED JUDGING SEMINAR will take place on SATURDAY, JANUARY 25 at 6:00pm and is included at no extra cost for all judges registered at the conference.

Individuals, Coaches, and anyone interested in learning more about draw-based judging and how it differs from breed-show or "regular horse show" judging are welcome to attend for a $50 registration fee. A light dinner will be served.

Presentation will be conducted by representatives of all four draw-based organizations in a collaborative effort to inform and educate judges on this ever-expanding segment of the equine industry. We hope to see YOU there!



QUESTIONS? Contact Kim Hall • (405) 491-0111 ext. 2160 or khall@pinto.org.

For more information or to register, visit:

CONTEST RULES:

• Artwork must be at least 11” tall by 8.5” wide (vertical piece of standard paper).
• Any medium is accepted (painting, drawing, digital, etc.) but all art must be scanned to digital in high resolution (300dpi) before uploading.
• Original artwork by student/rider. No adult/parent submissions.
• No clipart.
• Must include description and title of work.
• Artwork must represent the spirit of IEA Hunt Seat National Finals.
• Riders in different disciplines may submit for any cover Contest (Hunt Seat, Western or Dressage).
• Only 1 piece submitted per discipline
• Please do not include any text, logos, handwriting (other than an artist’s signature) on the artwork. You may used drawn logos (ex. IEA logo on a ribbon).
• Must include IEA rider information such as name, team, address, and phone number.
• IEA has the rights to all artwork submitted to be used for the cover(s) and/or social media posts including cropping and overlay of text/logos.
• Allowing for some “blank space” in the artwork or off-setting the subject matter allows for easier placement of cover text.

WINNERS RECEIVE:

• $50 Gift Card.
• Recognition at the 2024 IEA National Finals.
• A Complimentary copy of the show program.
• 1st – 6th place receive recognition in press releases and social media.

JUDGING:

• Interpretations and clarity of theme of National Finals to the viewer.
• Creativity and originality of depicted theme.
• Quality of artistic composition and overall design.
• Overall impression of the art.

QUESTIONS: Contact Montana McKnight at Montana@rideiea.org

SENIOR HONOR CORD PRE-SALE OPENS JANUARY 17 AND CLOSES APRIL 1

ALL ITEMS WILL BE MAILED BEFORE APRIL 15.

#MyIEA- Coaching Shapes Lives

"My relatively newfound love for teaching students is all thanks to Lisa Dye and Katie Schaaf. These two individuals made my childhood riding dreams a reality, and always taught with such enthusiasm and kindness at Great Strides (HS3R8). They are both fantastic role models and coaches, and I will always look up to them.

When the MacNair’s IEA team was in need of an assistant coach last season, the farm owners had asked Katie if she knew anyone who would be interested. Little did I know that the phone call I received later in the day would turn into a head coach position for the 2024-25 season.

IEA has given me the opportunity to work with an amazing group of young riders. It brings me so much joy to play a part in their equine journey. My favorite part by far is seeing them grow in and out of the tack, and to see their love for the animal come above all else.

I am incredibly grateful to coach in the same region as my childhood trainers. This year has been nothing short of amazing. I feel very welcomed and supported by all the coaches and teams in our region. I am lucky to have the team of MacNair’s and the Triangle behind me, and I look forward to continuing this journey."

Maddie Rigney

MacNair’s IEA Team Head Coach

“Madison is now the coach of MacNairs and the Triangle and we are so proud of her for coming up through IEA and into coaching her own IEA team.”

Lisa Dye - Great Strides

“We are very proud of Maddie. She’s a great coach and her shows are phenomenally run! It’s a pleasure to see her coach with patience, kindness and a genuine love for the horse."

Katie Schaaf - Great Strides

Looking for Team Wear, IEA Awards, National Finals Jackets, or Coach/Rider Gifts with the IEA Logos?

IEA has contracted several IEA National Logo License Vendors for Apparel and Awards. These companies can print and/or embroider the IEA logo onto any of their products. Please support them with your business.

MEQUESTRIAN SOLUTIONS

Embroidered Apparel, Barn Supplies & Awards

BESCO AWARDS

Embroidered Apparel & Awards

HODGES BADGE COMPANY

Ribbons & Awards

STINEMAN RIBBON COMPANY

Ribbons & Awards

Interscholastic Equestrian Association

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National Office (Mail Donations Here)

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IEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers:

• President: Katie Schaaf
• President Elect: Dustin Boehmer
• Secretary: Samantha Fleming
• Treasurer: Hannah Bentz

Founding Board Members & Designees:

• Designee for Roxane Durant (Founding Member): Amanda Garner
• Designee for Wayne Ackerer (Founding Member): Nancy Arledge

Members At Large:

• Christy Landwehr
• Katie Morehead-Oman
• Cathy Muzzy 

Non-Voting Members:

• Roxane Durant
• Susan Wentzel
• Kathryn Quinlan
• Simon Towns



Director Emeritus:

• Timothy J. Boone
• Myron Leff

IEA is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and your

contribution is tax-deductible.

Thank you for your support.

Follow us @rideiea and tag us at #rideiea