Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Dear IEA Members:

Can you believe, we are almost a THIRD of the way through our 2023-2024 Season? Some of you are already posting photos about qualifying for REGIONALS! Wowza! Some of our regions haven't had their first show yet! Wherever you are in your IEA Season, we hope you are enjoying the experience of team lessons, horse shows, new riding gear, costume parties, horsemanship tests, new class levels, seeing old and new friends, and striving to reach your goals. We absolutely LOVE all the photos you tag us in each weekend - so many that we have trouble keeping up with our Instagram stories! Keep em coming!

We know that many teams are still accepting riders to their teams, both new and returning. We encourage you to reach out to coaches in your area - even if they have started showing. You might be surprised and fill a gap they were looking for to round out their team. Several years ago during the pandemic, we bumped our season opening back to August and each year more and more teams take advantage of that extra month of good weather to start their seasons a bit earlier than in the past. Take note now for next season so you can be ready to join a team in July/August and not miss any shows.

Per usual this time of year, IEA has lots of things happening all over the nation. On average, more than 40 horse shows happen each weekend, Youth Board and TCC rider meetings are becoming more regular at shows, online events like contests, webinars, and info sessions fill our schedule. And we are so happy you have joined us again this season for the ride.

Whether your eyes are on the prize of National Finals, winning your first blue ribbon in a new class level, or mastering those pesky diagonals - we are cheering for you. Best of luck!

Coaches - as we start winding down the IEA Membership rush, please double check your ONLINE ROSTERS to make sure all your riders are correctly listed. Are you missing any riders? Surprise riders?

We have a number of members who have registered who have not paid their application fees and therefore have not been moved to your rosters yet. Also - if you have not assigned your class levels to ALL of your riders, please do so SOON as it helps show hosts when doing entries. We have surpassed the 14,000 processed member mark this week (which is awesome) and we need YOUR help double checking to ensure your rosters are accurate and include all your expected riders. THANK YOU!

JOIN US IN COLORADO!

It is not too late to join IEA at the Certified Horsmanship Association (CHA) International Conference on October 26-28 in Fort Collins, CO.

IEA is proud to co-host this annual event with CHA geared towards riding instructors, trainers, coaches, potential coaches, and horse enthusiasts. There is something for everyone!

For more information, visit the CHA website.

COLLEGIATE RIDING WEBINAR NOW AVAILABLE

Many thanks to the 6 panelists, staff, and IEA Diversity, Equitity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force for putting together this very informative webinar on how to prepare for riding in college.

More than 400 people attended the live webinar which was a record for us! Clearly, this is the kind of information you are looking for and we appreciate your feedback.

The IEA DEI Task Force is planning another webinar on similar topics later this year, so stay tuned. Thanks for watching.

You can help increase our impact on grass roots access to equestrian sport.

IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics by offering a unique program of draw-based (catch-ride) competition meaning that no rider is required to own a horse or riding equipment, making it a more affordable way for riders to participate.

Please consider supporting the IEA by making a tax-deductible donation for GENERAL PURPOSE, IEA BENEVOLENT FUND, YOUTH BOARD, IN MEMORY OF or OTHER DESIGNATED PURPOSE.

IEA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and GuideStar Gold Seal charity.

What does your DONATION help to support?

• $30 buys one lesson for a financial aid recipient.
• $50 covers the entry fee at a regular season show for a financial aid recipient.
• $150 covers the cost of providing a horse for Regional or Zone Finals.
• $250 provides the Pony Bar treats for the horses at National Finals.
• $500 covers the cost of providing a horse for the National Finals.
• $600 covers the travel/work stipend for a Youth Board member to attend National Finals.
• $1,000 covers the cost of The National Sportsmanship Award Scholarship.
• $2,000 supports a rider in need of financial assistance to participate for a full season of competition.
• $7,500 covers the facility rental for a Zone Final.
• $12,000 covers the cost of live streaming the National Finals so that members and families not able to attend in person can be a part of the event.

Written by Ifa Simmonds

Founder of EFA - Equestrian Fitness Academy

www.ifafit.com

In our sport, the bond between a rider and their horse is unlike any other. It’s a connection that goes beyond physical cues and gentle nudges. Catch riding, especially with the IEA, demands not just skill, but also a unique mindset. As youth equestrian riders of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, you’re not only tasked with mastering techniques, but also with immersing yourself mentally into each ride. 

Falling into the ride mindset means fully tuning into the present moment, feeling each subtle movement of your horse beneath you and allowing intuition to guide your actions. It’s about harmonizing your thoughts and emotions with the rhythm of your horse’s gait, forming a seamless bond of trust and understanding. This mindset can transform a good ride into a great one, propelling both rider and horse to new heights of achievement.

However, getting to this state of mental synergy is not always easy. It takes practice, patience, and a willingness to let go of external distractions. Here are a few tips to help you ‘fall into the ride mindset':

1. Breathe Deeply: Before mounting, take a few minutes of deep breaths. Feel the air fill your lungs and then release softly. This simple act can help to center you and eliminate various outside distractions.
2. Visualize Success: Before each ride, competition, or practice, take a moment to visualize your intentions for this specific ride. Envision every jump, turn, stride and slide. This mental rehearsal not only boosts your confidence, but aligns your mind with your body and goals. Knowing ‘exactly’ what you want to accomplish increases your chances of achieving them. 
3. Understand Mistakes: Every stumble, knocked rail, or imperfect transition is an opportunity to learn. Instead of dwelling on those direct errors, change your mindset to see and understand them as opportunities to learn and grow. Reflect on every aspect of them, adjust them, and do your best to remember how you can improve this for your next ride or competition. This creates a ‘growth mindset’ which is essential for improvement.
4. Connect with Your Horse: Spend a few moments before each ride connecting with your horse. Whether it’s a gentle pat, a simple conversation, or simply standing together in silence, these moments foster a deeper bond and mutual trust.
5. Stay Positive: A positive attitude can be the difference between an okay ride and a great one. Tense environments, like competitions, can be challenging, but they can also push you to perform your best. Stay positive with simple positive affirmations, visualizing success and intentionally focusing on your breathing. Remind yourself of past successes and how that made you feel.

BONUS: 

Accept Feedback: Be the rider who is always looking for the smallest things that you can do to improve your riding. Not only does this help create a better growth mindset, but it also lets your trainer/coach know you are open and willing to be coached. Regularly consult with your coach or more experienced riders and teammates. Their insights can provide fresh perspectives, helping you refine your technique and mindset. There’s nothing a coach likes more than a rider that is ‘coachable’.

As IEA riders, you’re not just taking part in a sport; you’re upholding a tradition. Every time you saddle up, remember that the ride is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Don’t focus only on the ribbons and the placements, but the amount of progress you have made that gets you closer to the end goals. Let go of the extra pressure, embrace the moment, and truly ‘fall into the ride mindset’. The connection you nurture with your horse today will be the foundation of many triumphant rides in the future. ###

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...

The following stories/press releases were released since the last e-newsletter.

EQUUS Foundation is a SPONSOR of the IEA and this is a PAID ADVERTISEMENT.

IEA will be at Equine Affaire again next month in Springfield, MA. Stop by our table to say hello, pick up some IEA goodies and play our BINGO GAME! We have teamed up with Equine Affaire to offer a fun IEA Vendor Bingo game with prizes! Bingo cards can be picked up at the main registration desk and turned into our booth when completed. We hope to see tons of IEA members there again. Always a great event.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS

OFFICIAL WESTERN SADDLE

OF THE IEA

COLLEGIATE PARTNERS

IEA ZONE 9 is expanding again!

We are super excited to announce that TWO CANADIAN TEAMS have recently joined the IEA just across the Washington border in the Vancouver, BC area! These new teams are part of Zone 9 and will attend shows in Washington and Oregon.

Welcome Queen Margaret's School and Millennial Acres LTD Equestrian Teams! We are excited for you to join the IEA!

ATTENTION IEA SHOW HOSTS.....

Please order your IEA ribbons and awards from these IEA NATIONAL LOGO VENDORS.

SHOP: https://www.rideiea.org/shop/

These national vendors have officially contracted with IEA to print/embroider/engrave the IEA logo(s) on their merchandise for IEA shows and teams and offer a wide-range of top quality products.

For more information on IEA logo licensing, visit https://www.rideiea.org/iea-brand-manual/ or reach out to Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org or Megan Taylor at megan@rideiea.org.

What is one of the most POPULAR things kids are trading these days (besides bracelets at Taylor Swift concerts)? STICKERS!

Did you know that IEA has a RedBubble.com RedBubble.com account with all kinds of fun IEA stickers and magnets? And we are always adding new designs!

Stickers make a great, affordable way to show off your IEA team pride, decorate your hat cans, notebooks, computers, waterbottles, cars, etc. Great for class prizes, give aways, stocking stuffers, thank yous or team awards. A portion of each sale benefits IEA programs. Thank you!

Need help PROMOTING YOUR IEA TEAM?

Download IEA Flyers:

https://www.rideiea.org/promotional-materials/

Help spread the word of your IEA team by printing, emailing or posting these IEA discipline specific flyers that include your team contact info. This is a great project for IEA TEAM CAPTAINS or ADULT CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS to lead.

You can also order free brochures from IEA or purchase stickers from RedBubble.com at the link above. We want to help you grow YOUR team and YOUR Region!

Questions? Contact IEA Director of Marketing, Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org

Distribution ideas:

• Local tack shops & feed stores

• School or Work bulletin boards and electronic flyer boards

• Restaurant/Retail bulletin boards (Panera, Sheetz, Grocery Stores, etc.)

• Barn Open Houses

• Non-IEA horse shows

• Equine facilities and/or equine events you attend

• Mailing or emailing to prospective families, 4-H clubs, FFA groups, PTA groups, or local barns in your area.

Interscholastic Equestrian Association

NEW ADDRESS

Membership Office

4 Railroad Avenue

Wakefield, MA 01880



Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm EST

Phone: 877-RIDE-IEA | 877-743-3432

Fax: 508-597-7373

www.rideiea.org | info@rideiea.org

Marketing & Communications Office

509 S. Otterbein Avenue, Suite 9

Westerville, OH 43081

IEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers:

• President: Amanda Garner
• President Elect: Katie Schaaf
• Secretary: Samantha Fleming
• Treasurer: Christy Landwehr

Founding Board Members & Designees:

• Designee for Roxane Durant (Founding Member): Hannah Bentz 
• Designee for Wayne Ackerer (Founding Member): Nancy Arledge

Members At Large:

• Dustin Boehmer
• Leah Fiorentino
• Katie Morehead-Oman
• Cathy Muzzy 

Non-Voting Members:

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

Director Emeritus:

• Timothy J. Boone
• Myron Leff

Follow us at @rideiea and #rideIEA