IEA Riding Team
Evenstride participates in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a national organization created to introduce students in private and public middle and secondary schools to equestrian sports.
EvenStride’s IEA Team
The Evenstride Team is coached by Olana Laffey, Michelle Abren and Andrea Laffey and includes students in grades 6-12. Horse ownership is not required to participate in IEA. As a member of Zone 1, Evenstride both hosts and travels to IEA horse shows in the area. For information on joining EvenStride’s IEA team, call Michelle at 978/465-9119.
The goals of IEA are to set standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to equestrian sport at the middle and secondary school levels (primarily ages 11 through 19). Through the IEA, students have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards their college education through awards in competition and through sportsmanship activities.
IEA Competition Format
The unique aspect of IEA 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 provided to the students at the show. The host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Some of the equipment may be borrowed from various training barns and facilities. Though the rider and horse have a short opportunity at orientation in the over fences classes, essentially, the horse is new to the rider, and the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation, not the horse. The competitions involve six classes jumping over fences no greater than three feet and numerous flat equitation classes. Western riders show in horsemanship and reining, and 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 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).
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 groups
- To provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated mounted and non-mounted equestri
an 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.
