Columbus, Ohio – March 30, 2019 – The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) will host a two-day Dressage Finale (Horse Show) on April 13-14, 2019 at Otterbein University Equestrian Farm in Westerville, Ohio. The Finale is an opportunity for riders in grades 6-12, parents and equine professionals to come together to celebrate the culmination of three years of dressage scrimmages held throughout the United States. In addition to the competition, the weekend will include a horsemanship test, exhibitor’s party and college fair. Nearly 150 young riders from across the nation will participate.
The Dressage Pilot Program was introduced to the IEA membership in 2016 as a response to the increasing interest from the equestrian community for this special discipline. The program was developed with the intent to combine the standards and expectations of the competitive dressage community with the IEA objective to offer organized competitions for young equestrian athletes who do not own their own horse. The program operated alongside the current offerings of hunt seat and western competition for the last three years. Dressage will become an official IEA program beginning with the 2019-2020 season on July 1.
Judging the 2019 Dressage Finale will be Jennifer Roth (USDF ‘r’ rated judge) and Christina Gemmel-Gnidovec (USDF ‘L’ Graduate judge). Sponsors for the event include Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA), United States Dressage Federation (USDF), Otterbein University, St. Andrews University, LM Boots, United States Pony Clubs, Inc., Judy Goldthwait Equine Art & Pet Portraits, JI Tees, Albion College, 15H Horseware, M Equestrian Solutions, Centenary University, Equus Now, Lake Erie College, Emory & Henry College, A Bit Above, Shires Equestrian Products, The Right Horse, Tonya Johnston, Meredith Manor, Redingote, United States Eventing Association, Inc.
The Dressage Finale is open to spectators. Competition runs approximately 9:00am – 4:00pm each day. The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science at Otterbein University is located at 600 N. Spring Road, Westerville, OH. Admission and parking is free. For more information, contact IEA Communications Coordinator, Kimber Whanger at kimber@rideiea.org or by calling 614-542-9415.
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