For twenty 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 28 – May 1, 2022, the culmination of those twenty years will take place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center as IEA celebrates their 20th Anniversary with the largest IEA National Finals ever. The event takes place over four days of competition in two arenas simultaneously.
754 of the nation’s leading middle school and high school equestrian athletes will travel from across the United States and converge in Harrisburg to compete for top honors in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage classes, championship titles and collegiate scholarships. Of the 1,458 IEA high school and middle school teams from eleven zones across the country, 242 teams will be represented at this year’s celebratory event.
Utilizing a unique draw-based competition format, riders in grades 4-12 will compete on unfamiliar horses in the following classes: Equitation over fences and on the flat, Western Horsemanship, Reining and Ranch Riding, Dressage Test and Dressage Seat Equitation. 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
- Tricia Booker (R) from Charleston, SC
- Julie Winkel (R) from Reno, NV
Western Judges
- Michael Damianos (NRHA, AQHA, NSBA) from Ojai, CA
- Rhonda Replogle (AQHA, NSBA) from Dover, DE
Dressage Judges
- Scott Peterson (USDF – S) from Penn Yan, NY
- Jennifer Roth (USDF – r) from Pataskala, OH
Complete live streaming of the IEA 20th Anniversary National Finals will be available online and offered at no cost to viewers through the IEA Website at https://www.rideiea.org/2022nationalfinals/. Video production is provided by ClipMyHorse.TV with support from the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). Winslow Photography is the official show photographer for all arenas.
The IEA 20th Anniversary 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.
In addition to the competition, IEA will host several special activities during the 20th Anniversary event – including a Team Parade, Member Appreciation Event and Vendor Night (Sponsored by United States Hunter Jumper Association), Youth Board Game Night and Ice Cream Social (Sponsored by Grier School) and other educational opportunities sponsored by Equine Mastery Education System and United States Pony Clubs, Inc.
For a complete listing of information including class schedules and facility maps, visit the National Finals page at https://www.rideiea.org/2022nationalfinals/
Major Sponsors/Partners for the 2022 IEA National Finals include:
- United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA)
- National Reining Horse Association (NRHA)
- National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA)
- United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
- United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC)
- Bob’s Custom Saddles – The Official Western Saddle of the IEA
- R.J. Classics – The Official Show Clothing of the IEA
- Troxel Helmets – The Official Helmet of the IEA
- Weaver Leather – The Official Tack and Equipment Supplier of the IEA
- Alorian Saddlery
- Athletic Equestrian
- Averett University
- Belmont Training Stable
- Besco Awards
- Boot Barn
- Centenary University
- CE Wellness (BEMER)
- Chatham Hall
- Cinch
- Cotton Candys
- CWD Sellier
- Delaware Valley University
- Dressage4Kids
- Emory & Henry College
- Equestrian Buckle Belts
- Equestrian Team Apparel
- Equine Mastery Education System
- Equisure
- EQUUS Foundation
- Fountain Valley School
- Garrison Forest School
- Grier School
- Hartpury University
- Head to Tail Boutique
- hippique
- Hodges Badge Company
- Hollins University
- Hunt Club, LLC
- Ink Horse Publishing
- It’s a Haggerty’s
- JI Tees
- Johnson & Wales University
- Judy Goldthwait Equine Art
- Keiser University
- Kimes Ranch
- Nancy Kohler-Cunningham
- Lake Erie College
- LM Boots
- Maryville College
- M. Equestrian Solutions
- Metropolitan Equestrian Team
- Midway University
- Mount Holyoke College
- MZ Farms/ The Muzzy Family
- Nothin But Chrome
- Otterbein University
- Pennsylvania National Horse Show
- Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Association
- Pennsylvania Quarter Horse Youth Association
- Peppy Pony Treatery
- Pony Perfect Bows
- Retired Racehorse Project
- RingSide Pro
- Rod’s Western Palace
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Katie Schaaf
- Schneiders Saddlery
- Silly Sounds, LLC
- St. Andrews University
- Sterling Essentials
- Stineman Ribbon Company
- SUNY Morrisville
- Sweet Briar College
- Tack Butter
- The Healing Cowgirl
- The Plaid Horse
- The Posh Pony Boutique
- The Rising Equestrian Pro
- The Show Trunk II
- Tennessee Quarter Horse Association
- Thoroughbred Incentive Program
- Tonya Johnston, Mental Skills Coach
- Trafalgar Square Books
- UltraCruz
- University of Findlay
- Veltri Sport
- The Walker Family and Bear’s Run Farm
- Western Show Scarves by Megan
- Wilmington College
- Wilson College
- Winslow Photography
- Yinger Equestrian Team
About the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA):
Now in its 20th year, the IEA has over 14,200 members across the United States participating in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage disciplines. The non-profit 501(c)3 IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students (grades 4-12) and is open to public and private schools and barn teams. There is no need for a rider to own a horse because the IEA supplies a mount and tack to each equestrian for competitions. Its purpose is to set minimum standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, and to generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction. For more information, visit www.rideiea.org
Media Contact:
Kimber Whanger
Director of Marketing & Communications
Kimber@rideiea.org | 614.542.9415
www.rideiea.org