July 1, 2008

Dear current and prospective members, coaches, and parents,

Welcome to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. Equine education continues to advance throughout the United States. With the growth and contributions of the IEA, this trend will be increasingly noticeable in the future. Our students will have opportunity in higher education to join intercollegiate teams as well as varsity equestrian teams throughout the nation. The IEA is the perfect stepping stone to collegiate competition. It is also an excellent opportunity for so many riders who do not own a horse to compete at all levels of ability. We all should be very proud of this organization and the work being done for our students.

The 2007-08 season proved to be one of continued growth and expansion. The rulebook has been updated to better accommodate the expressed needs of our members. Two editions are available: a "marked change" edition highlighting all updates, as well as the standard version 2008-09 rule book. Be sure you download a copy of either book, as well as the membership packet, which contains all of the forms and applications necessary for membership.

A busy show year led to two wonderful National Finals. The hunt seat competition was held at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts and the University of Findlay, Findlay, OH hosted the western events. For those of you who did not attend, it was a fine display of great equitation and horsemanship from our students. Great sportsmanship was shown at both venues, and scholarship money and prizes increased again from the prior year - over $125,000 in scholarships were awarded! Parents, teams, and coaches should be complimented on such a great representation.

The IEA continues to add new sponsors. In 2007-08 The National Reining Horse Association (the world governing body for reining) became a major sponsor of all of our reining classes. Additionally, IEA continued our affiliation with the United States Equestrian Federation, and became an affiliate of the United States Hunter Jumper Association. We look forward to the support of other breed associations in the future.

2008-09 promises to be a great year for the IEA. The 2009 nationals are scheduled for April 30-May 3, 2009 at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio where renovations and the new learning center will be freshly completed for our use.

Speaking for the entire Board of Directors, we look forward to serving all of you this year and would like to wish everyone a very successful show season.

Ollie Griffith
IEA President

Proudly sponsored by:

2007 IEA National Western Finals Photographer
Fairfield Photography
www.fairfieldphoto.com