IEA It's Your Future. Take The Reins

WHO WE ARE

For student equestrians in grades 4-12, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) was established in the spring of 2002 and held its first annual National Finals event the following year in Willoughby, Ohio. A non-profit organization, the IEA has grown both geometrically and geographically each year. Beginning with just 200 participants, the IEA now has over 14,500 members nationwide across North America.

HUNT

SEAT

DRESSAGE

Horsemanship, Reining & Ranch Riding

Equitation

Over Fences & On The Flat

Test & Dressage

Seat Equitation

MISSION

IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics. IEA wishes to introduce students in grades 4-8 (Future) and 9-12 (Upper School) to equestrian sports and to develop understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports through organized competitions and educational opportunities. IEA further wishes to inspire and facilitate adults to continue their journey in equestrian athletics for a lifetime.

VISION

Organized to promote and expand access to quality team and individual equestrian competition and instruction, IEA’s purpose shall be to set standards for competition; to provide information concerning the creation and development of equestrian sport programs; to promote the common interests of safe riding instruction; and to educate on matters related to horsemanship.

WHAT IS IEA COMPETITION?

The unique aspect of the competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Since the horse is new to the rider, the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation. All disciplines offer a variety of ability levels from Beginner through Advanced. The IEA has set guidelines for the placement of new riders entering the IEA to allow for the unique program format of riding an unfamiliar horse. Classes are offered in four ability levels: Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Open. Any combination of ability levels on a team is permissible, but it is advantageous to have at least one rider in every class to be competitive. Riders in grades 4-8 are eligible for "Futures" (Middle School) Teams and riders in grade 9-12 compete at the High School level. Points are tracked for individual rider accomplishments AND for overall team accomplishments from August through April. Individuals and Teams earn points to qualify for Regional, Zone and National Finals.

No rider needs to own a horse.

AT A GLANCE

NATIONWIDE AUDIENCE

Since 2002, IEA has grown to over 14,500+ members nationwide across North America.

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

ROXANE DURANT Executive Director SUSAN WENTZEL National Steward

JENNIFER EATON Membership Marketing Coordinator

KATHRYN QUINLAN Membership Director

MEET OUR MARKETING & SALES TEAM

KIMBER WHANGER

Director of Marketing & Communications

KATHY DANDO

Resource Development Director

MONTANA MCKNIGHT

Marketing & Digital Communications Coordinator

MEGAN TAYLOR

Sales & Sponsorship Representative

IN THE PRESS

SOCIAL MEDIA METRICS

30,000+ Followers

22,000+ Followers

2,477 Followers

1,493 Followers

*# of followers based on primary social media pages as of 1/23

E-NEWSLETTER

115,156

63% Avg. Open Rate

STREAMING ON DEMAND

IEA National Finals 2022

Note: These stats represent live viewers and viewers through CMH - not archived views through USEF. These videos are archived through both CMH and USEF for future viewing.

11,182 Streamed Live on Oct 6, 2022

Total Views

WHY SUPPORT IEA?

HANNAH BENTZ

IEA Alumni & Board Member

As a junior rider growing up in South Florida, I spent most of my time riding, taking care of my horses/helping at the barn, or reading about horses and riding. I competed in local hunter, jumper, and equitation shows, so I was excited to join a Hunt Seat IEA Team in 2010, which gave me the opportunity to be a part of a team and compete at a National level. I rode on an IEA team until I graduated high school in 2015 and then went on to ride on an IHSA team and graduate from the College of Charleston with a double major in Finance and Accounting in 2019. While I do not ride as much as I did when I was in school, I rely on the catch riding skills that I developed as an IEA rider to be confident in riding new horses whenever the opportunity presents itself and, I hope to be able to compete as an IEA Adult rider in the future.

CAMERON ANDRUSKIEWICZ

IEA Zone 1 Youth Board Representative

I’ve always loved IEA. I started in sixth grade being a novice rider and wanting to get into the bigger, more competitive side of horses. IEA did just that for me. This will be my fifth year of IEA. I’m now team captain and showing on my state's rated circuit, recently fourth at Zone Finals, and eighth at Connecticut Finals. Being a part of IEA Youth Board means a lot to me. Being able to aid in decisions IEA makes and speaking for all the youth of our association is a big title to uphold. IEA has truly shaped me into who I am today, I wouldn’t change it for anything. IEA has also introduced me to Green is the New Blue, an environmental organization that “believes that even small changes at our horse shows and farms can have huge impacts." I’ve taken a lot of interest in their sustainability efforts because without us being sustainable, we wouldn’t have our hunt fields to ride in, our trails to enjoy, and so much more.

WHY SUPPORT IEA?

SWAZI TSHABALALA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion A Family Affair

FIONA TACKITT

Being part of the IEA means many things, but one of the constants is the fact that I will forever identify as a horsewoman and I thank the IEA, my coach, and everybody else that has supported me in the sport. IEA has validated that for me, and it is a platform for me that can lead to bigger things. It is a privilege because it allows me to be able to participate and compete in a sport that I am so passionate about. It has fostered my abilities as a leader and team player. It has also shown me that there is the possibility of continuing to be involved with horses in college and beyond. It has opened doors to new friendships and experiences with people I don’t normally encounter from all walks of life. I hope that the IEA can make the sport more accessible to the greater community by introducing the sport to people who otherwise would not even have considered it. Wouldn’t it be so cool if going to horse shows was like visiting the United Nations?

I grew up competitively riding and participated in IEA from 2013-2016. When I went to college, I was granted the opportunity to have a horse of my own. I did not have the funds to have anything fancy, so I got an OTTB (Ares) and trained him five days a week for six years! Hard work paid off. Ares now has the opportunity to be part of the Zone 4 IEA team for Big Leaps Equestrian & Woodward Academy of Atlanta. He now shows alongside my brother who just joined for his first year as a sixth grader! I often found myself discouraged, thinking I’d never be able to have a competitive show horse. With time and hard work came opportunities. Ares even got Horse of the Show and has already gotten a couple first places! Preston and his pony, Willoughby just completed his GHJA pony medal finals and got second place out of 42! He is never discouraged by being one of the only males in the sport. It makes him work even harder to be the best athlete he can be! Let’s hope for a good first season for both Preston and Ares!

THANK YOU

MEMBER PARTNERS & OFFICIAL SPONSORS

SPONSORSHIP VS. DONATION

The term “sponsorship” is used very liberally when referring to fundraising. Whether it’s sponsoring events, making donations to nonprofit organizations, or causes, companies can expect different outcomes by providing their support. That support can be cash or in-kind goods and services.

Not all sponsorships are the same in the eye of your auditor or the IRS! Some sponsorships are charitable donations whereas others are considered non-charitable even if they support a 501(c)3 organization. Sponsorships are more of a marketing tactic, putting a company ’ s name on an event or ad to boost revenue in return for their support. Donations are charitable in nature and purely benefit the organization at hand.

Understanding the difference between these two concepts will help companies make an informed decision.

SUPPORTING IDEALS & CAUSES

Most horse owners, across age and income groups, consider brand ideals to be important.

IMPORTANCE OF BRAND IDEALS

35% of horse owners consider it very or extremely important to purchase from equine brands that support the ideals and causes that they value. Source:

VALUE BRAND IDEALS, BY AGE

% Rating Somewhat/Very/Extremely Important

EXAMPLES OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT

MUZZY FAMILY/MZ FARMS

ANNUAL NATIONAL FINALS TRAVEL GRANT

LETTIE TEAGUE HUNT

SEAT SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT 2022-2023

COLANTUONI HUNT

SEAT SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT 2022-2023

The Muzzy Family and MZ Farms have established a five-year $100,000 Grant to assist the IEA and qualified riders, who demonstrate financial need, in attending the National Finals Competitions. Provides up to $2,000 per travel grant annually for one (1) rider plus a guardian, and a coach. Includes entry fees for any individual and team (if applicable) classes.

Open to Hunt Seat Riders in NY, NJ, & CT, grades 7-12 who demonstrate financial need to enable full IEA participation.

Rider(s) must demonstrate interest, ability, and commitment to equestrian sports. Sponsoring Coach must support the rider by allowing additional lessons at reduced rate, waiving coaching fees at IEA shows, and generally supporting the rider’s passion to participate.

Open to Hunt Seat riders in grades 4-12 who demonstrate financial need to enable full IEA participation.

Rider(s) must demonstrate interest, ability, and commitment to equestrian sports. Sponsoring Coach must support the rider by allowing additional lessons at reduced rate, waiving coaching fees at IEA shows, and generally supporting the rider’s passion to participate.

CURRENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS

Individuals, Foundations, and Corporations can help IEA reach their goal of achieving a sustainable Financial Aid Program long into the future.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

INITIATIVES

IEA BENEVOLENT FUND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

LOOKINGTOWARDS THEFUTURE

1

2 3 4

Develop & Fully Fund IEA Youth Board Program from Youth Development Initiatives to Staffing. Develop and Fund Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives to Access Underserved Communities through Equestrian Athletics.

Expand Senior Scholarship Program to a National Scholarship Program that includes Zone Finals through Nationals. Increase Sponsorship Support (in-kind product & revenue) to offset rising costs of producing IEA's Dressage, Hunt Seat, and Western National Finals.

GET CONNECTED WITH US

1.877.RIDE.IEA