Top IEA Riders Head to TIEC for IEA National Finals
Edited Press Release
Columbus, OH – March 23, 2023 – For 21 years, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) has provided opportunities for tens of thousands of youth equestrians to be able to compete at local, regional and national levels without the expense of owning a horse. On April 27 – April 30, 2023, nearly 600 of the top Hunt Seat and Dressage riders in grades 4-12 will convene at Tryon International Equestrian Center, a world-class venue set in the mountains of Mill Spring, NC.
These young athletes will travel from all across the United States to compete for championship honors in individual and team classes and over $1.1M in multi-year collegiate scholarships. The IEA National Finals event takes place over four days of competition in two arenas simultaneously. Approximately 550 teams will be represented at this year’s National Finals from the 1,467 IEA high school and middle school teams across the country. IEA again broke membership records during the 2022-2023 regular season, with more than 12,775 riders participating and over 14,600 total members nationwide.
Utilizing a unique draw-based competition format, qualified youth riders will compete on unfamiliar horses in the following classes: Equitation over fences and on the flat, Dressage Test and Dressage Seat Equitation. (A separate National Finals event for IEA Western Riders will take place in June at the APHA World Championship Show in Fort Worth, TX.) IEA riders must develop their catch-riding skills as very little to no warm-up practice is allowed before each class. All tack and horses are provided by IEA member teams and outside horse providers – allowing for a more level playing field of competition.
Judges for the IEA National Finals competition are as follows:
Hunt Seat Judges
Kathy Pinera – “R” – Emerson, New Jersey
Joyce Przebowski – “R” – Farmingville, New York
Dressage Judge
Susan Mandas – “S” – Dayton, Ohio
Live streaming of the IEA National Finals will be available online and offered at no cost to viewers through the IEA Website at www.rideiea.org. Video production is provided by ShowGrounds, LLC. Winslow Photography is the official show photographer for all arenas.
IEA National Finals is free and open to the public for spectators. Media/Press passes are available to publications and news sources interested in attending and are coordinated though Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org.
For a complete listing of information including discipline specific prize lists, class schedules and vendors, visit the National Finals pages at https://www.rideiea.org/2023nationalfinals/.
Major Sponsor Support for the 2023 IEA National Finals includes:
(at time of printing)
United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA)
National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)
National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA)
United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC)
R.J. Classics, Official Show Clothing of the IEA
Troxel Helmets, Official Helmet of the IEA
Bob’s Custom Saddles, Official Western Saddle of the IEA
Weaver Leather, Official Tack and Equipment Supplier of the IEA
American Paint Horse Association (APHA)
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
United States Dressage Federation (USDF)
Averett University – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
Besco Awards
Boot Barn
Cotton Candys
Delaware Valley University – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
Emory & Henry College – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
Grier School
Hodges Badge Company
J.I. Tees Creative Event Wear
John Deere, Official Equipment Provider of the 2023 National Finals
Kimes Ranch Jeans
Lake Erie College – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
LM Boots
M. Equestrian Solutions
Otterbein University – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
Rod’s Western Palace
Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
Schneider’s Saddlery
Stineman Ribbon Company
The Show Trunk II
St. Andrews Equestrian – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
University of Findlay – Collegiate Scholarship Partner
Winslow Photography
With additional support from the following:
Arabian Horse Association (AHA)
American National Riding Commission (ANRC)
American Youth Horse Council
Certified Horsemanship Association
Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA)
Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA)
National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA)
Western Dressage Association of America (WDAA)
Albion College
Alfred University
Athletic Equestrian
Awarding Ribbon Creations
Bemer Group
Besco Awards
Centenary University
Certified Horsemanship Association
Cinch Jeans
CM Show Ribbon Ornaments
Dressage4Kids
Drew University
Equestrian Buckle Belts
Equidae Farm
Equine Affaire
Equine Discounts
Equiparent
Equisure, Inc.
EQUUS Foundation
Equestrian Team Apparel
Ferrum College
Green Is the New Blue
Hartwick College
Head to Tail Boutique
Hollins University
Hunt Club
Equestrian Fitness Academy
Ink Horse Publishing
Judy Goldthwait Equine Art & Pet Portraits
Loushia
Lyons Legacy Horsemanship
Maryville College
Midway University
Monte Vista Christian
Mount Holyoke
Mount Vernon School Online
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Retired Racehorse Project
Roanoke College
Shires Equestrian Products
Show Ribbon Wreaths
Silly Sounds
SmartPak
State Line Tack
Sterling Essentials
Sweet Briar College
The Plaid Horse
The Posh Pony Boutique
The Rising Equestrian Pro
Thoroughbred Incentive Program
Tonya Johnston Mental Health Coach
Trafalgar Square Books
UltraCruz
University of South Carolina Aiken
Veltri Sport
#WeRideTogether
Wilson College
Questions about advertising, sponsorships or vendor space should be directed to IEA Sales Manager, Megan Taylor at megan@rideiea.org. Deadline to participate is Monday, April 3, 2023.
ABOUT THE INTERSCHOLASTIC EQUESTRIAN ASSOCIATION
Now in its 21st year, the IEA has over 14,600 members across the United States participating in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage disciplines. There is no need for a rider to own a horse because the IEA hosting team supplies a mount and tack to each equestrian for competitions. IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics. IEA wishes to introduce students in grades 4-8 (Future) and 9-12 (Upper School) to equestrian sports and to develop understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports through organized competitions and educational opportunities. IEA further wishes to inspire and facilitate adults to continue their journey in equestrian athletics for a lifetime. For more information, visit www.RideIEA.org