Lexington, KY – US Equestrian (USEF) is pleased to announce the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), is extending our multi-year affiliation by becoming an Education Partner. This is an important addition to our expanding family of official Education Partners. A subset of the USEF Alliance Partner program, Education Partners are comprised of non-profit organizations whose mission is to provide opportunities for participation in equestrian sport to individuals attending scholastic and collegiate institutions. Additionally, Education Partner organizations must offer a competitive program that includes either or both individual and team participation and recognition, as well as a final championship event.

Co-founded in 2002 in Ohio by Roxane Durant, Myron Leff, Wayne Ackerer and Tim Boone,  IEA now has a nationwide membership of approximately 14,000 elementary, middle and high school students (grades 4 through 12), their parents, and coaches. The program offers members the opportunity to participate in team and individual equestrian competition in the disciplines of hunt seat, western horsemanship, reining, and dressage, all without the requirement of horse ownership.

“As the largest youth equestrian organization in the country, educating young people about our wonderful sport and horsemanship is at the core of the IEA. The ongoing support we have received from US Equestrian over our 18 years has been instrumental in assisting us in accomplishing this part of our mission and is very much appreciated,” said Roxane Durant, IEA Co-founder and Executive Director.  “Now, continuing as a USEF Education Partner not only deepens the relationship between our organizations, the affiliation allows our members, through fan memberships, to easily access US Equestrian educational programming.”

As a USEF Education Partner, IEA joins a family of organizations that have combined forces with US Equestrian in a united mission to foster growth and introduce newcomers to the sport, as well as encourage scholastic and collegiate equestrians to maintain their connection to equestrian endeavors throughout their educational careers.

“Participation in IEA creates a fantastic opportunity for young equestrians and their families to enjoy the many benefits of establishing a partnership with a horse,” said USEF CEO Bill Moroney. We are thrilled to further solidify our already strong relationship with the IEA and commend Roxane for concepting this youth program and her other co-founders for their multi-year efforts that resulted in more than 50,000 young people being  introduced to our beloved sport.”

Similar to US Equestrian’s other Education Partners, which include the American National Riding Commission, Intercollegiate Dressage Association, and National Collegiate Equestrian Association, IEA will have the opportunity to take advantage of a select package of benefits. These benefits include promotion of the organization and its events, support of its National Finals, special awards, recognition, and merchandise, to further assist IEA in achieving its goals, while also communicating the benefits of both equestrian sport and US Equestrian to IEA’s members and participants.

To learn more about US Equestrian’s Education Partner Program, please contact Bill Moroney and for more information on US Equestrian, please visit www.usef.org.