Interscholastic Equestrian Association
Sharkey Farm is home to an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team. This program is available to 4th-12th grade students in the Seattle area.
Competitions occur between 4-6 weekends a year from September through January. Generally, our meets will have a show on Saturday and another show on Sunday. Our shows are hosted from as far south as Portland to as far north as Bellingham. Our team will typically host one weekend of shows a year at Bridle Trails State Park in the early fall as well. Qualified riders will compete at Regionals in January, Zones in March, and Nationals in April.
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 (grades 4-12). 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:
IEA Membership
IEA requires all participants to be members of their organization.
Please go to https://www.rideiea.org/data/riderapply/form, fill out the online form and pay the membership fee ($60) no later than AUGUST 15th. In addition, before riding in a team practice, all members will need to sign a release for Sharkey Farm and the facilities that we are riding at.
Fees and Expenses Associated With IEA
Yearly Association membership $60
2024 IEA Show Calendar
February 10 Region 1 Finals in Tenino, WA
March 9-10 Zone 9 Finals in Sherwood, OR
April 25-28 National Finals in Tryon, NC
Competitions occur between 4-6 weekends a year from September through January. Generally, our meets will have a show on Saturday and another show on Sunday. Our shows are hosted from as far south as Portland to as far north as Bellingham. Our team will typically host one weekend of shows a year at Bridle Trails State Park in the early fall as well. Qualified riders will compete at Regionals in January, Zones in March, and Nationals in April.
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 (grades 4-12). 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 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.
IEA Membership
IEA requires all participants to be members of their organization.
Please go to https://www.rideiea.org/data/riderapply/form, fill out the online form and pay the membership fee ($60) no later than AUGUST 15th. In addition, before riding in a team practice, all members will need to sign a release for Sharkey Farm and the facilities that we are riding at.
Fees and Expenses Associated With IEA
Yearly Association membership $60
- Show fees
- Class fees: $45 per regular season class ($60 for Regionals, Zones, and Nationals), two classes per show day, maximum of 5 shows per year
- Show coaching: $45 per day
- Travel expenses such as hotels and flights shared between participants
- Lesson fees
- $0 per lesson or $40 if allowing your personal horse to be used for practice
2024 IEA Show Calendar
February 10 Region 1 Finals in Tenino, WA
March 9-10 Zone 9 Finals in Sherwood, OR
April 25-28 National Finals in Tryon, NC
