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Texas Riding Academy is proud to be apart of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association with 

our focus being on the Western discipline. 

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is a nonprofit organization that gives youth in grades 4-12 the opportunity to compete in team and individual equestrian competition without the financial burden of owning a horse. IEA offers competition across three disciplines: hunt seat, western, and dressage. Within each discipline, there are divisions for beginning through advanced riders. Since all riders compete on horses unfamiliar to them, there are regulations for the placement of riders new to IEA to account for the unique format. Teams can be formed through a school or barn.

IEA competitions are run differently from a traditional horse show. The host team provides most of the horses for riders to draw, with established teams also contributing horses. Prior to competition, each horse is schooled or warmed up by a non-competing rider or trainer, and competitors watch and take notes. After the completion of schooling, the horse draw (random selection of horses for the riders in the class) is announced so the riders know which horse they are riding. Horses are selected for each class based on the horses ability and suitability for that division. For example, the horses in the Novice and Beginner divisions will generally be quieter, and Open mounts will be more talented or difficult horses. Each rider mounts their horse and immediately enters the ring after adjusting their stirrups. Since each rider is on an unfamiliar horse that is new to them, this allows the judge to fairly judge each rider on how well they can ride an unfamiliar horse, which levels the playing field.

Each year at the IEA National Final competitions, the IEA awards upwards of $24,300 in scholarships to the top placing and second highest placing Seniors in Individual classes at our National Finals.

“An IEA rider’s journey starts with the desire to be a part of a team. Whether the team is the partnership with the horse that an IEA rider draws for a class at the horse show or the team that consists of old and new friends at the barn, an IEA rider has the opportunity to develop competitive riding skills while making memories that will last a lifetime. And the best part is, IEA riders do not need to own a horse or tack to participate.”

Call us to learn more about how your student can become part of our IEA team! 

For more information about IEA please visit: https://www.rideiea.org