Lexington, Ky. - 549 of the nation's leading middle school and high school equestrians competed in the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. The finalists represented over 1,300 teams and over 11,000 student-riders from eight zones throughout the country. Individuals and teams participated in multiple competitions during the regular season shows, regional finals and zone finals to qualify for the National Finals competition.

During the week, riders competed in Hunt Seat Equitation Over Fences and , Equitation on the Flat as well as Western Reining and Horsemanship classes. Sunday marked the closing of the team competitions followed by the awards ceremonies.

The Champion of the Upper School Hunt Seat Team Competition was North Gate Equestrian Team from Sudbury, Massachusetts in Zone 1. In the Middle School Hunt Seat Competition, North Gate also took home First Place ribbons and prizes. The Champion Upper School Western Team Competition came down to one class to determine the winner. Autumn Rose Farm Equestrian Team from Plain City, Ohio in Zone 5 took home the win. In the Middle School competition, KM Equestrians from Findlay, Ohio, in Zone 5 were named Champion.

The IEA holds the trait of good sportsmanship in the highest regard - both for riders and coaches.  For the Hunt Seat, Mehdi Kazmi of Old Homestead Farm from Rocky Point, North Carolina, in Zone 3, took home the second annual Coach Sportsmanship Award. Roger and Sandra Elder from Last Lap Ranch in Maryville, Tennessee in Zone 4 received the award among all Western Coaches. Sarah Doss from Chatham Hall in Chatham, Virginia was awarded the Victor Hugo-Vidal Sportsmanship Award and Caroline Gute from Dublin, Ohio, who rides for Autumn Rose Farm Equestrian Team, took home the NRHA Sportsmanship Award.

The IEA is committed to the wellness of the horses in all competitions. To recognize the quality of the horses donated for the five-day event, "Thomas" (provided by Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio) was named Outstanding IEA Hunt Horse, and "Kesha" (provided by Jewell Reining in Conyers, Georgia) took home the NRHA Outstanding Western Horse.

"Just spectacular," said Roxane Lawrence, IEA Co-Founder and Executive Director when asked about the competition.  "Our young student riders rode really well.  The horses provided were excellent and we had a fun and safe event.  Most important, while the competition was fierce, the sportsmanship exhibited by the riders, coaches and parents was superb.  I can't wait until next year's Finals."

It was announced that the 2017 IEA Hunt Seat National Finals will be held in April at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington, Virginia and the Western Finals will take place in late June during the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Derby in Oklahoma City.