More than 240 of the nation’s leading middle school and high school equestrians will compete for top prizes at the 2014 Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Western Finals competitions.
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More than 350 of the nation's leading middle school and high school equestrians will converge on the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA on Friday, May 16 - 18 to compete for top honors in Hunt Seat Classes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association National Finals.
The 2014 Western National Finals will be held at the Oklahoma State Fair Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 26-28. Sponsored by the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the competition will run in conjunction with the NRHA Derby. The riders will display their talents in Reining and Horsemanship, as individuals and teams during the three-day event.
Student riders, in grades 6-12, will travel from across the United States to participate in the competitions. The competitors represent the best of nearly 881 riders on more than 135 teams from seven zones, in 30 states, that competed in numerous Western shows during the 2013-2014 school year.
The teams and individuals that accumulated the highest number of points during the regular show season qualify for regional competitions with the top performers going on to Zone Finals. The top riders and teams from each Zone Final move to the IEA Western Nationals..
Schedule:
- Wednesday- Noon-1PM Informational seminar and Q&A session for all new and prospective members. 6-8PM NRHyA Exhibitor Welcome Party. Both events take place in the Sale Arena.
- Thursday– 7-8:15 AM Schooling of all IEA Reining horses; 8:15 AM Draw for NRHA Varsity Open & Intermediate Reining; 9 AM-3 PM (approximate) Competition in Adequan Arena; 3:00 PM Presentation of IEA National Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), Leading Crossover Rider and Champion Western Rider
- Friday–7:30-8:15 AM Schooling of all IEA Reining horses; 8:15 AM Draw for NRHA Varsity & Future Intermediate Reining; 9-11:30 AM (approximate) Competition; 12 PM NRHA High School Reining Championship in main Coliseum; 2-5 PM (approximate) IEA Competition resumes in the Adequan Arena; 5 PM Presentation of Horseman’s Knowledge Test presented by The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., Team Spirit Award, NRHA Sportsmanship Award, NRHA Outstanding Western Horse and Western Middle School Team Awards
- Saturday- 8:15 AM Draw for NRHA Varsity Open Reining Team class; 8:45 AMSchooling of Reining Horses in main Coliseum; 9 AM Competition- NRHA Varsity Open Reining Team Class in main Coliseum; 10:30 AM(approximate) Parade of Teams (All IEA teams, coaches and riders scheduled to appear in arena) and Western Upper School Team Awards
The entire event will be streamed live, by Equine Promotion, through the IEA websitewww.rideiea.org .
About Interscholastic Equestrian Association
Founded in 2002, The IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students. 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 and competition, and education on matters related to equestrian competition at the middle and secondary school levels. During the season, the IEA had 10,000 participants, aged 11-20, in the Association. For additional information, please visit the IEA website:www.rideiea.org.