IEA Information
Schedule
The schedule for the 2025-2026 season is TBD. Check back near the end of summer for updates!
FAQs
What is IEA?
IEA stands for Interscholastic Equestrian Association, and is an organization that allows riders to compete on a team with the other riders at their stable. It's a great way to compete on a budget, meet other riders at BE, and prepare to ride on a college team.
Who is allowed to participate?
All cantering riders in grades 4-12 are eligible to join.
When is the IEA show season?
Qualifying IEA shows run from August through January. Post-season shows are usually February through April.
How big of a time commitment is this?
Riders are not required to ride in extra lessons. The only time commitment is the actual shows. Riders can only compete in a maximum of five shows, but are encouraged to come and support at all shows, even if they are not competing.
At shows, 2'6 and 2' riders usually need to arrive by 7:00 and can leave after the morning section of the show, WT-X's riders don't need to arrive until the afternoon and can leave once the show concludes.
What is proper show attire / what equipment is needed?
No horse or tack is required. A black helmet, hairnet or bows, black belt, black riding gloves, a white show shirt, black or navy show coat, tan breeches and tall boots, or jodhpur breeches with garter straps and paddock boots are required.
How do I sign up?
What happens at an IEA show?
Riders arrive before their division schooling starts. The horses being used in the morning divisions will be ridden, or "schooled", so that the competitors can take notes. Then there is a coaches' meeting, where every morning competitor is randomly assigned a horse for both their jumping and flatting sections. The show then begins with 2'6 and 2' jumping, followed by 2'6 and 2' flatting. Jumping riders are allowed a "warm up" over two jumps before they compete; flat riders do not get to warm up, and enter the show arena after mounting. There is then another schooling break for afternoon horses, plus an afternoon coaches' meeting. The afternoon usually starts with X's jumping, then X's flat, then WT, and ends with WTC.
What level will my child compete at?
IEA offers a walk/trot (WT), walk/trot/canter (WTC), crossrail, 2', and 2'6 division. WT and WTC are flat classes only, so riders will only ride once. Crossrail-2'6 riders ride in a flat section as well as a jumping section.
Riders are typically placed two levels below what they do at home; ex a 2'6 rider should be jumping 3' at home on their regular mount. If a rider earns 21+ points in a section, they automatically move up a division the next show season.
How many shows will my child compete in?
Riders are allowed to show a maximum of 5 times in a regular season; each day counts as one show, so a weekend is two shows. There is no minimum number required. Riders who earn 18+ points per section qualify for post-season shows.
What are post-season competitions?
Riders who earn 18+ points (per section) in their five shows are qualified to compete in Regional Finals. Post-season competitions begin with Regional Finals (top riders in a portion of IL), then Zone 5 Finals (first and second place winners from every region in IL, KY, MI, IN, and OH), and then end with National Finals (first and second place winners from every zone).
What are points, and how are they earned?
Riders can earn points with every placing they receive.
1st = 7pts 2nd = 5pts
3rd = 4 pts 4th = 3pts
5th = 2pts 6th = 1pt
If a rider earns 18 points in either their jumping or flat section, they qualify for Regional Finals. Riders may qualify for only jumping, only flatting, or both. Riders may only compete a maximum of 5 times to qualify for regionals.
How much will this cost, and how will I pay?
Every show, riders will be charged the class fees ($50 for flat riders, $100 for jumping riders) to the credit card number given upon sign-up. An additional $75 check/cash/zelle goes to me for every show they compete in. Each day = one show.