For many young riders, the idea of competing in equestrian sports can feel out of reach, especially when owning a horse isn’t an option. That’s exactly why the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) was created. Open to fourth- through twelfth-grade students, the IEA offers a unique opportunity to gain show-ring experience, develop riding skills, and be part of a team environment—all without needing to own or lease a horse.
It’s a mission that aligns closely with what we believe at R.J. Classics: that riding should be accessible to all. From offering high-quality, affordable show apparel to supporting programs that open doors for more young athletes, we’re passionate about helping riders show up with confidence, regardless of their background.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what the IEA is, how to join a team, and what to expect along the way, whether you’re a new rider looking for your first team or a parent exploring opportunities for your child.
What is the IEA?
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a way for middle and high school students to participate and compete in equestrian sports. Much like the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA), the IEA works with barns across the country to provide horses and tack for all competitors, enabling access to one of the most expensive parts of showing. To keep the competition fair, riders are assigned to horses through a draw-based system and are not allowed to bring their own horse or tack.
Nearly 1,500 barn and school teams participate in the IEA all throughout the US, with close to 15,000 member riders and coaches. The program has grown tremendously since it was established in 2002 and continues to grow, providing even more widespread access to equestrian competition. No matter if you’re brand new to riding or have years of experience under your belt, the IEA offers a structured yet affordable way to get involved in competitive equestrian sports.
Benefits of joining the IEA
Not only does the IEA allow young riders to compete, but it also enables them to deepen their horsemanship, build leadership skills, and even explore college scholarship opportunities. Here are just a few of the ways IEA membership can benefit students:
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Local, regional, zone, and national events: Middle and high schoolers compete against peers in their area to earn points toward qualifying for larger shows at the regional, zone, and national level.
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Financial assistance: The IEA Benevolent Fund offers financial aid to riders who need help covering the cost of IEA participation, making the sport more accessible to a wider range of students.
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College scholarships: Each season, the IEA awards $1.5 million in scholarships and cash prizes to members who demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and riding ability.
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National Hippology Academy: This horsemanship education program gives members access to equine science lessons, activities, and resources. It’s available to rider members for just $25 and is free for non-rider members.
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Leadership opportunities: Rider members can be elected to the IEA National Youth Board to serve a one-year team representing their zone and discipline and sharing input with IEA leadership.
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Clinics and college recruitment events: For riders interested in collegiate equestrian sports, the IEA offers opportunities to develop their skills and connect with college recruiters through clinics, workshops, and showcase events.
Disciplines offered
The IEA offers three disciplines for riders to compete in: Hunt Seat, Dressage, and Western. Riders can compete in multiple disciplines, but will need to pay application and entry fees for each one.
Hunt Seat
IEA Hunt Seat includes classes in equitation and jumping, offered at several different levels across 11 zones.
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Equitation on the Flat:
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Over Fences:
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Fences for the jumping class include cross-rails, as well as 2’ and 2’6” jumps.
Learn more about hunter jumper riding →
Dressage
IEA Dressage features 6 zones with Dressage Test and Dressage Seat Equitation (DSE) classes offered in several divisions.
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Dressage Test:
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Dressage Seat Equitation:
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DSE classes typically take place on the rail, though riders in upper-level divisions may compete in tests.
Learn what to wear to dressage shows →
Western
IEA Western classes include Horsemanship, Reining, and Ranch Riding, each offered at a few different ability levels.
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Horsemanship:
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Reining:
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Ranch Riding:
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Eligibility and membership
When you join the IEA, you become part of a community that supports growth, encourages sportsmanship, and sets you up for future success. Here’s all you need to know about getting started.
Who can participate in the IEA?
All riders in grades 4 through 12 can participate, no matter their ability level. IEA competitions offer divisions for everyone—from beginners to experienced riders—and your coach will place you in the right division and class based on your skills and experience. Even though the IEA allows riders to compete individually, you must be part of a team to join.
In the past few years, the IEA also launched an Adult Pilot Program, which provides amateur adult riders with the opportunity to compete as well. To participate, adult riders must be at least 21 years old and associated with an IEA coach. The program offers three classes in Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage, in which riders can compete individually.
IEA teams
IEA teams are open to barns, as well as public and private schools. Each team must consist of between 3 and 40 riders and a coach. Middle School and Upper School riders are divided into two separate teams:
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Futures teams – Riders in grades 4-8
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Varsity/Jr. Varsity teams – Riders in grades 9-12
If there isn’t already an IEA team near you, talk to a local barn about starting one. Check out the IEA Quick Start Guide for more information.
How to join the IEA
Thinking about joining? Follow these steps to find a team and start competing in the IEA:
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Choose your discipline. On the IEA website, select the discipline you’re interested in. If you’re new to riding and unsure, read up on the different riding disciplines before deciding.
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Find a local team. To locate an IEA-affiliated team in your area, click “Find a Team” and search the directory for your city or state.
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Connect with the coach. Use the provided contact information to reach out to the team’s coach and express your interest. They’ll let you know if they’re accepting new riders and explain any requirements, such as lesson commitments or tryouts.
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Register with the IEA. After joining a team, you’ll complete your official IEA registration online. Your coach can provide the necessary team information to include on your application. Keep in mind that this is when you’ll pay your annual IEA membership fee.
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Start preparing to ride! Once you’re registered, you’ll begin practicing with your team and preparing for the show season. Most IEA teams require riders to participate in lessons and team practices in order to compete.
How much does it cost?
Riding can come with a lot of hidden costs, but the IEA aims to help remove financial barriers that might otherwise keep students from participating. If you’re considering joining, here are the typical expenses in mind:
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$70 rider application fee
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$55-60 per-discipline entry fee for each regular season show
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$70 per-discipline entry fee for regional, zone, and national finals
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Barn or school registration fee (varies by team)
In many cases, your team’s registration fee will also include the cost of lessons and team practices—check with your coach for details.
If cost is a concern, the IEA offers need-based financial support through the IEA Benevolent Fund Financial Assistance Program. Riders are encouraged to apply and take advantage of this resource.
What to expect
No two IEA shows are exactly alike, but the format is designed for a fun, fair, and team-focused experience. The more you know going in—about how horses are assigned, what show days look like, and what rules riders need to follow—the smoother your season will go.
IEA shows
The IEA show season runs from August through June, with most regular season competitions being single-day events held on weekends. Show days typically begin early, around 6:30 or 7 a.m., and wrap up in the late afternoon or early evening.
Established teams in each region take turns hosting shows throughout the season. Post-season events, like zone and national finals, are held at premier equestrian centers across the country, giving qualified riders the opportunity to compete on a bigger stage. Past venues include Tryon International Equestrian Center and Los Angeles Equestrian Center.
The show day begins with schooling, where horses are warmed up by designated riders while competitors and coaches watch. This is an important time to observe each horse’s movement, temperament, and pace. Before competing, riders in the Over Fences class also have a chance to walk the course. Depending on the show, you’ll either be randomly assigned a horse to compete with in the coach’s meeting, which takes place prior to the start of competition, or just before it’s your time to ride, making adaptability and good horsemanship key to success in the IEA show ring.
Throughout the season, riders and teams accumulate points to qualify for regional and national finals. Points are awarded based on class placement:
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1st place/Champion: 7 points
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2nd place/Reserve Champion: 5 points
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3rd place: 4 points
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4th place: 3 points
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5th place: 2 points
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6th place: 1 point
IEA rules
IEA competition is structured to ensure fairness and safety for every rider. All participants must use the horses and tack provided by the host team(s), with no changes allowed except for adjusting stirrup length. Riders are required to wear a properly fitted, ASTM/SEI-approved equestrian helmet during all mounted activities.
Show numbers must be visible while competing, and whether or not to wear an air vest is completely up to riders and their parents.
Riders are expected to dress in proper show attire, which includes:
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A black, navy, or dark green show coat
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A classic white show shirt
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Tan (or white, for dressage) breeches
Younger riders may choose to wear jodhpurs with paddock boots instead of breeches and tall boots.
Explore outfit ideas by discipline →
Start your IEA journey with R.J. Classics
As the official show clothing partner of the IEA, R.J. Classics is proud to support young riders with polished, affordable apparel that blends tradition with performance. From crisp show shirts and comfortable breeches to classic coats that elevate your look, each piece is designed to fit flawlessly, feel great, and help riders step into the ring with confidence.
"R.J. Classics is the perfect company for the IEA to partner with as they work together towards making horseback riding and competition affordable. Being turned out correctly for an IEA practice or competition shows how much care and effort a rider puts into their preparation. Whether you are a rider, parent, or IEA coach, R.J. Classics provides great support through recommendations on what is appropriate attire for IEA horse shows."
- Megan Taylor, IEA Sponsorship Coordinator
Explore our curated collection of IEA-ready styles, and if you’re a current IEA member, email info@rjclassics.com to learn how you can get an exclusive discount on select items.
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