About Us

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association

Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Inc. ("IEA") was formally established in the spring of 2002. It held its first annual national championship event the following year at The Andrews School in Willoughby, Ohio. Since its inception IEA has grown both geometrically and geographically each year. At the end of the 2004-05 scholastic year with only a Hunt Seat riding division there were 617 rider members, 64 coaches, and 43 team members located in 12 states. The Western riding division was added in 2005, and by the end of the 2006-07 competition year there were 1312 rider members, 127 coaches, and 143 teams competing in 63 sanctioned competitions in 13 states. 351 riders participated in the 2007 National Finals held at Lake Erie College in Painesville, Ohio. It is anticipated that the 2007-08 competition year will be even more exciting, culminating with the 2008 National Finals held at the Big E in Springfield, MA.

The current directors of IEA are Roxane Rheinheimer, Wayne Ackerer, Richard "Ollie" Griffith, Myron Leff, Timothy J. Boone, Sue Wentzel, Kathryn Quinlan, Emily Zientek, Jennifer Mitchell-Wuornos, MaryBeth Cornelius, Gwen Arrigon, Laurie Grayson, and Elizabeth Mahoney. Sue Wentzel is the National Steward, Claire Harmon is the Development Director and Mira Clark is the Administrative Assistant to the President and Membership Secretary of IEA.

The principal office of IEA is P. O. Box 354, Willoughby, Ohio 44096-0354. IEA's telephone is 877-RIDE-IEA.

IEA was formed and organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students. 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 and competition, and education on matters related to equestrian competition at the middle and secondary school levels.

The mission of IEA is to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools (primarily ages 11 through 19) to equestrian sports, to provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian programs, to develop understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports through organized student competitions, to provide students with organized competitive events and to provide additional equine educational opportunities. Also, currently, there are few opportunities for these students to earn scholarship money. Through the IEA, students may have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards their college education.

The objectives of IEA are:

• To promote the equestrian as an athlete
• To provide students with organized competitive opportunities.
• To introduce new riders to equine sports.
• To promote the IEA among middle, and secondary schools.
• To provide students with opportunities for further education equine sports and other equine-related matters.
• To encourage liaison with USA Equestrian, Inc, IHSA and other interested bodies
• To provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated mounted and non-mounted equestrian programs.
• To establish and enforce IEA rules, standards and policies
• To evolve with the continuing progress of equestrian sports.
• To generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to the horse industry and all segments thereof.

The unique aspect of these competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the horses, saddle and other tack are all provided to the students at the show. The host school arranges for the horse and equipment. Some of the equipment will be borrowed from various training barns a facilities. Though the rider and horse will have a short opportunity at orientation, essentially, the horses will be new to the rider, and the scores will be based upon horsemanship, not the horse. The competitions will involve six classes jumping over fences no greater that three feet and numerous flat equitation classes.

The IEA is an affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.