Roxane Lawrence, IEA co-founder and executive director, stated, “Phelps Media does such a great job advocating for the equestrian industry. We are thrilled to be working with them to help promote the IEA and the future of equestrian athletics.”
“We are very proud to be associated with IEA and look forward to doing what we can to help this wonderful organization fulfill its vision,” shared Mason Phelps Jr., President of Phelps Media Group International.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the IEA held its first annual national championship event in 2003 at The Andrews School in Willoughby, Ohio. Since its inception, the IEA has grown both geometrically and geographically each year. Beginning with just 200 student-riders and 62 finalists participating in the first Nationals, the IEA now has nearly 6,000 student-riders on hundreds of teams across North America. Over 500 of the competitors qualified for the 2012 National Finals. The IEA has eight zones across North America. The IEA offers competition in three disciplines: Hunt Seat, Western and Saddle Seat.
The unique aspect of IEA competitions, both at the local and national levels, is that none of the riders supply their own horses or tack. The show host provides the horses and equipment, and riders choose their mounts by a random draw on the morning of the show. Riders have minimal warm-up, and their scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation. The Hunt Seat competitions involve six jumping classes from x-rails to three feet and numerous equitation flat classes. Western riders show in horsemanship and reining. Saddle Seat riders show in both rail and individual workout classes. All disciplines offer a variety of ability levels from beginner through advanced.
The IEA was founded 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. IEA also aims to promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education. Through the IEA, students 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 other equestrian organizations
- 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 IEA is an affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
For more information about IEA visit the website: www.rideiea.org.
Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com