"As with any non-profit, it is extraordinarily important to receive support from companies and individuals to assist an organization in providing members with benefits not otherwise available," said Roxane Lawrence, IEA co-founder and executive director. "The IEA Platinum Sponsors are those companies that are supporting our Finals-and our work throughout the year-at the highest level. We - particularly our young equestrians - are appreciative of all they donate to the IEA."

 

Founded in 1966, the NRHA is dedicated to the promotion of the reining horse, and the   organization serves as the standard setting body for the sport of reining worldwide. The NRHA is a long-term alliance partner of the IEA, and, for the past three years, the organization has graciously hosted the IEA Western National Finals in conjunction with the NRHA Derby in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

 

In addition to the NRHA, this year, the IEA is thrilled to also welcome back, in an even greater sponsor and participation capacity, the USHJA and AQHYA. 

The USHJA is the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and is dedicated to serving members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. Additionally, the USHJA provides a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels and is committed to preserving the history of the sport. The AQHYA is the youth branch of the AQHA, the largest equine breed registry and membership organization in the world. 

 

The USHJA and AQHYA both support IEA riders throughout the year, and riders can also enjoy

exhibitor parties hosted by the two organizations at this year's IEA National Finals, to be held April 20-24 in Lexington, Kentucky. 

 

For more information on the NRHA, please visit nrha1.com, for the USHJA visit ushja.org and for AQHYA, please visit aqha.com/youth. 

 

Founded in 2002, the IEA has more than 12,500 middle and high school student-riders across the United States.  The IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students 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, to generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to equestrian competition at the middle and secondary school levels. For more information, please view the IEA website at: www.rideiea.org.

 

The IEA is affiliated, and collaborates with, the following organizations: