IEA Western

09/04/2026

Hey, IEA Youth Riders, Writers & Artists:
Are you up for an ADVENTURE?

Well, hold on to your easels because we have a fun, creative opportunity for YOU! AND $3,200 in cash awards to give away!

2026 IEA YOUTH ART & LITERARY CONTEST
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

Share YOUR vision of a Fairy Knot Adventure through a short essay, poem, black & white illustration, or black & white photograph in this exciting (and dare we say, magical?) opportunity.

UM, WHAT IS A FAIRY KNOT, YOU SAY?
The knots and tangles found in a horse's mane and tail are known as Fairy Knots. According to folklore, elves and fairies search for horses suitable to ride throughout the night on grand adventures. Before departing, they tie knots and tangles in the horses' manes and tails to use as stirrups and reins. After a night of mischief, the horses are returned safely but the knots and tangles are left for the next time the naughty sprites return to ride at night.....That's bound to spark some creativity, for sure.

LEARN MORE: https://conta.cc/3T3D07T

09/01/2026

IEA grows one referral at a time - one rider at a time.
Become an IEA coach today and pass the passion forward.

Want more information?
Fill out an IEA INTEREST INQUIRY FORM.
https://tinyurl.com/mrbxwc45

09/01/2026

IEA is excited to WELCOME the following NEW TEAMS who joined us in August. Can't wait to get to know you!

September is here and IEA shows are starting to pick up. Register your team today so riders can join and enjoy a full show season. Rider and team membership pricing will increase on October 1st.

Join/renew here: https://accessiea.innate.ly/account/login

08/31/2026

Registration opens tomorrow for Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage IEA Teams!

The EQUUS Foundation and IEA are excited to introduce the EQUUS Foundation IEA Team Award, a new opportunity for IEA teams to learn more about equine welfare, volunteer with an EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network (EWN) equine charity and compete for up to $2,000 in awards.

LEARN MORE: https://conta.cc/46uJI9W

08/29/2026

Congratulations to long-time IEA Coach, Mark Guynn (Banner, WY) and IEA team members, Hannah Harlan and Helen Morris on their recent success at the 2026 IEA Western National Finals.

Mark, Hannah and Helen were recently interviewed by Sheridan Media (Sheridan, WY) about their IEA Team Red Grade Riders IEA and what it is like to catch ride.

Red Grade Riders is part of IEA Western Region 8 and is the only IEA team in WY. They show against teams in Colorado near Fort Collins, Berthoud, and Colorado Springs.

IEA is actively looking for more Western coaches and youth riders in grades 4-12 in WY, CO and AZ to grow this western region. IEA is the middle & high school equivalent of the collegiate equestrian programs of draw-based (catch ride) competitions.

Interested in starting or finding an equestrian team?
Contact Jennifer Eaton at [email protected] or by calling 1-877-RIDE-IEA ext. 203 or visit www.rideiea.org.

In the Sheridan, WY area? Give Mark & Jan Guynn a call! (He gives her phone # in the video.)

08/27/2026

Thank you Young Rider for sharing this article!
Helpful tips for any IEA discipline.

It’s showtime! 🤩

If you’re interested in showing with the IEA - Interscholastic Equestrian Association, we’ve got tips from an IEA coach herself. Whether you already compete with IEA or it’s one of your goals, this advice from trainer Ariel Hug is sure to help you: tinyurl.com/mwnf6e7u

08/23/2026

Hey Riders & Parents -
Let's get ready to RIDE IEA this season!
Register Here: https://accessiea.innate.ly/account/login

Prices will increase on October 1st. Sign up now to save!
** For riders in grades 4-12.
** Horsemanship, Ranch Riding & Reining
** Actively looking for coaches and riders to join new and existing teams.
** Catch-ride team competitions.
** Riders do not need to own a horse.
** College Coaches - this is a great way to feed into your college teams

Visit www.rideiea.org to learn more. We have teams all over the nation for Western, Hunt Seat and Dressage.

08/22/2026

IEA has TWO Alumni who were part of this spectacular event!
Trevor Dare and Ben Beckett!

Tune in tonight to CBS to watch the 2-hour recap. Who is hosting a watch party?

NRHyA - National Reining Horse Youth Association

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆’𝐒 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐁𝐒 𝐀𝐔𝐆𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝟐𝟐

The horses, riders and competition that have helped make The Run For A Million one of the premier events in Western performance horse sports are coming to a nationwide television audience.
Taylor Sheridan’s THE RUN FOR A MILLION will air August 22 from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT and 7 p.m. CT on the CBS Television Network and will also be available on Paramount+.*

Sheridan, who created The Run For A Million and serves as an executive producer of the CBS special, will call the action from the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. He will be accompanied by industry expert Steve Ross, National Reining Horse Association Professional and Million Dollar Rider Gunny Mathison, and guest commentator Francesca Sternberg, one of the most accomplished Non Pro riders in the reining industry.

The two-hour special will take viewers inside the Million Dollar Competition, where 16 of the world’s leading reining riders guide their horses through a demanding pattern of circles, spins and sliding stops in pursuit of the event’s championship and a share of the $1 million purse.

08/20/2026

Know an equine professional who would be a great addition to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association? Help us grow the IEA community by introducing a new coach to IEA — and earn $50 for every successful referral!

LEARN MORE: https://conta.cc/3TsVGOn

The IEA COACH REFERRAL PROGRAM rewards current adult IEA members who help bring new coaches and teams into the organization. And this is a fantastic year to join us!

08/16/2026

Mark your calendars for a FANTASTIC opportunity to learn some great reining tips and ask questions from an NRHA Professional during the IEA Western Show at the All American Quarter Horse Congress!

NRHA Pro Reining Clinic/Demonstration.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th at 1:00PM
BRAND NEW CINCH ARENA (Voinovich Building)

The NRHA Pro will be announced closer to the date. This event is proudly sponsored by NRHA and the NRHA Professionals Committee in partnership with IEA.

All Congress attendees, local IEA teams, 4-H Clubs, college students, families and reining enthusiasts are welcome & encouraged to come watch at 1:00pm. The All Star Reining Stakes Non Pro Derby is happening in the Celeste Center that same day so there is a lot of great reining to watch at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

We are also happy to write an excused absence letter for your boss/principal/husband/wife/teacher/professor/etc. 🐴❤📄😁
Come spend a day at the Congress with us!

NRHA - National Reining Horse Association