Iron Valley Equestrian IEA Team

The mission of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is to introduce students in pulic and private middle and high schools to equestrian sports and to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction. 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 arranges for the horses and equipment. Since the horse is new to the rider, the scores are based on horsemanship and equitation. IEA offers classes for a variety of ability levels from beginner to advanced. For more information about IEA, please visit www.rideiea.org

The regular IEA show season runs from August 1 - February 1, during which time period competing team members will ride in a minimum of two and a maximum of five horse shows. Post-season for qualified riders and teams runs from February - April. During the summer and show season, Iron Valley Equestrian Team members ride in two group mounted practices per week. Some members also take a weekly private lesson. Team members also practice their horsemanship by helping around the barn once per week, typically before or after their mounted practice. They will work under experienced supervision and gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the skills and hard work it takes to maintain our team's most important partners, our horses. Participating in IEA is an unparalleled way to make new friends, learn sportsmanship and horsemanship, and begin competing on horseback without needing to own or lease a horse.

The IEA teams practice all year, but regular season competitions begin in August and run through January. The post season is February through April. Team members can choose to continue competing through our other programs in the non-competition months if so desired, or they can take advantage of leasing and other off-campus riding opportunities if they do not wish to compete. NOTE: IEA members are not required to compete if they don't want to!

Being an Iron Valley Equestrian IEA Team member requires an IEA National Membership Fee of $60, and an Iron Valley Administration Fee of $175. Shows are additional and vary depending on whether we have to stay at a hotel. Team riders are allowed 5 regular season shows per year. The post season begins with Regional Finals in February, Zones in March, and Nationals in April, should the riders qualify.

Yes, riders who have their own horse at home or lesson elsewhere, practicing regularly, can ride at their home barn and come to us just for Team practices and meet us at competitions. Feel free to reach out to us to chat about this!