For the first time in the history of the Arnold Sports Festival, young equestrians will participate in the event. These equestrians will be 11-19 years old.
Giving young equestrians more opportunities
This is further validation and recognition that these young people, who ride horses, are indeed wonderful athletes. It is also special because the Interscholastic Equestrian Association was started here in Columbus.
On Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) will hold two youth Western Competitions in which 21 teams from Ohio, Illinois Indiana and Kentucky will be invited to participate.Competition will take place from 9am to 3pm each day. In addition, an IEA Hunt Seat Riding Demonstration will be held on Sunday.
While the competitions are open to the public for viewing, registration will only be available to current IEA members. All equestrian events will take place the Cooper Arena at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.
"We are extraordinarily excited to participate in the Arnold Classic," said Roxane Lawrence co-founder and executive director of the IEA. "This is further validation and recognition that these young people, who ride horses, are indeed wonderful athletes.It is also special because the IEA was started here in Columbus."
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.
Unique to the IEA-there is no need to own a horse. Mounts and tack are supplied to each rider at every IEA event. The IEA currently has over 11,000 participants, ages 11-19, across the United States.
For additional information, please visit the IEA website: rideiea.org"
The Arnold Sports Festival, the largest multi-sport festival in the country and birthplace to the world-renowned Arnold Classic professional men's bodybuilding championships, estimates to attract 175,000 sports and fitness enthusiasts to watch thousands of athletes from 80 countries compete in 50 sport events including 13 Olympic events.
Set to premier March 7-8 at the Ohio Expo Center, for the first time the festival will include the Arnold Kids Fitness EXPO. This EXPO will focus on youth sports, demonstrations, clinics and exhibitions. Youth will compete in sports such as cheerleading, table tennis and the Survival Race, but also Olympic Sports such as archery, boxing, equestrian, fencing, tae kwon do, and swimming.
Admission: A daily EXPO ticket ($10 in advance plus service charges, $15 at door) includes the admission to most events, the Arnold Fitness EXPO and the Arnold Kids Fitness EXPO.
A separate ticket is needed for professional and amateur bodybuilding events, the Arnold Sunday Showcase, Amateur MMA Festival and Arnold Pro Boxing, the Arnold Party With the Pros and the Pole Fitness National Championship. Arnold VIP Ticket Packages are available for $350 and $600 and include a variety of exclusive benefits and premium seating.
Web: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com, http://www.rideiea.org
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000