United States Eventing Association

Tucked into the rolling green hills of Alpharetta, Georgia, River Mist Equestrian isn’t just a training farm—it’s a thriving community. Under the direction of longtime horsewoman Jen Scherrens, the program has become a home base for riders of all ages and levels, from ambitious teenagers tackling Training level to adults discovering the joy of dressage. But beyond the ribbons and show results, there’s something else that defines the barn’s identity: camaraderie.

That spirit made River Mist a natural fit for the USEA’s Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL), a program designed to give middle and high school students a chance to experience eventing as part of a team.

“The IEL program has been an awesome way for us to showcase the team atmosphere we already have,” Scherrens said. River Mist began participating in the IEL a few years ago, but it wasn’t until recently that the program gained momentum, with enough riders to regularly field full teams at challenges and the IEL Championships. “Whether it’s a team challenge or a regular horse trial, our riders are showing up, cheering each other on, and learning from each other every step of the way.”

A Foundation in Community

Scherrens grew up in the Alpharetta area, competing successfully in the hunter/jumper and equitation rings before making the switch to eventing with her horse McGregor. Together, the pair rose to the Intermediate level, and the lessons she learned on that journey continue to shape her approach as a coach and mentor.

“After trying other careers, I always found myself back in the barn,” Scherrens said. “Teaching and training riders—it’s just where I’m supposed to be.”

River Mist has evolved into a bustling, multi-generational program. With 24 stalls on nearly 30 acres, the facility boasts large shaded arenas, a sprawling jumping field, and a small cross-country course. But it’s the people who define the place.

“We’ve got everyone from 4-year-olds on ponies to adults in their seventies coming for dressage lessons,” Scherrens said. “And the best part is, everyone learns from one another.”

That ethos of collaboration means riders often hop on each other’s horses, pitch in during show weekends, and lean on one another for both barn advice and life wisdom. It’s an environment where younger riders look up to the more seasoned ones, and where mentorship happens in the aisleways as often as it does in the ring.

Meet the Team

This year, five River Mist riders traveled to the IEL Championships, held May 2–4 at Stable View Horse Trials in Aiken, South Carolina. Three of those riders shared their experiences from the season:

For 15-year-old Hadiya Yarbou, River Mist has been a game changer. After recovering from ACL surgery, she returned to competition aboard her own Cooley Gentleman (Acord 3 x HHS Crystal Clear), an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding who previously competed at the upper-levels with Lillian Heard Wood.

“He’s a total goofball but super honest,” Yarbou said. “He’s really taught me how to be confident in my own decisions—especially on cross-country.”

Yarbou joined the IEL team shortly after the program launched and said it made a major impact.

“Jen mentioned the team when IEL was just getting started, and we threw a group together for the first show,” she said. “It was so much fun—being on a team changed the whole experience. And now, even if you’re riding with a scramble group, you get to know so many new people.”

At this year’s IEL Championships, Yarbou returned for her second appearance—this time as part of the third-placed team, where she competed in a Novice Rider division. “Honestly, I was just there to have fun after coming back from injury,” she said with a laugh. “So placing well was a total surprise.”

Her favorite part? The parade of teams. “There’s nothing like it,” she said. “Everyone’s in costumes, yelling and laughing—it’s such a fun atmosphere.”

Thirteen-year-old Logan Erwin agreed. She has been riding at River Mist for about a year and a half and currently leases Caroline Mandeville’s Blue Rock Emerald Princess (Windy Isles Island Prince x Blue Rock Molly), a Connemara mare her own age affectionately known as Emmy.

“She’s a cross-country machine,” Erwin said proudly. “When I tried her, we were at Majestic Oaks and just jumped around—she had so much confidence at every fence.”

Erwin competed at IEL Championships in a Beginner Novice Rider division, an experience that stood out as a highlight of her season. The energy and support she felt from her teammates and fellow riders made the event especially memorable. “There’s definitely some pressure, but mostly it’s just about supporting each other,” she said. “We always go out to dinner after shows. It really feels like a family.”

Then there’s Mia Faught, who might have the shortest commute of anyone on the team—she lives just across the way from the barn, within eyesight of the arena. “That’s how I found River Mist,” she explained. “I looked out the window one day and saw they gave lessons.”

Now a rising sophomore, Faught rode I Solemnly Swear...... (Henden Fiddaz x New Chance), a 20-year-old pony owned by Scherrens, in a Starter division. Though she only recently started eventing, Faught has already fallen in love with the sport. “Cross-country is definitely my favorite,” she said. “And IEL Championships was amazing—I didn’t know what to expect, but everyone was so excited, especially the college kids.” She was part of the third-placed team alongside Yarbou, an experience that added to the energy of the weekend.

A Coach’s Philosophy

For Scherrens, the IEL program is a perfect fit. Not only does it reflect the team-focused culture she’s cultivated at River Mist, but it also gives young riders valuable experience that will serve them well in college and beyond. “It’s absolutely a stepping stone to collegiate eventing,” she said. “The kids get a taste of what it’s like to ride with a team, manage pressure, and support each other—skills they’ll carry with them if they compete in college.”

“We already had a team dynamic here,” she said. “People either help each other out and have good attitudes here, or they leave. I don’t do drama. That’s not fun for anybody.” The IEL simply gave them a way to highlight that spirit of mutual support in a more visible format.

River Mist’s culture is built not only on camaraderie, but on technical skill. Scherrens holds a USDF bronze with distinction medal and is working toward her silver, continuing to train and clinic with top professionals. That commitment to ongoing education is reflected throughout her program, where correct equitation, individualized instruction, and a solid foundation in both dressage and jumping are top priorities.

“I try to leave people feeling like they can conquer the world,” she said, citing the influence of mentors like Jimmy Wofford and her college coach, Bill Payne. Scherrens rode on the IHSA team during her time at Clemson University (South Carolina) before transferring to the University of Georgia, and said her collegiate riding experience helped shape how she teaches today. “We break things down so everyone walks away feeling confident and capable.”

Her goal, she added, is to teach riders how to think for themselves in the saddle—not just follow instructions. “Good equitation is effective equitation,” Scherrens said. “That’s what I want my riders to understand.”

Looking Ahead

The farm also hosts several schooling shows throughout the year, and Scherrens makes a point of riding in clinics and continuing her own education. “Even if I don’t have kids going, I’m usually still at a show or learning something new,” she said.

With a packed calendar of horse trials, dressage shows, and schooling events, River Mist doesn’t slow down often. Riders head to venues in Areas III and VIII like Poplar Place, Full Gallop, Stable View, and the Kentucky Horse Park—sometimes aiming for national goals, sometimes just looking to have fun.

“We try to mix it up,” Scherrens said. “One or two recognized shows a month, plus dressage or schooling shows for others. Some of our kids are prepping for the American Eventing Championships or moving up a level, and others are just excited to trot through their first Starter course.”

Whatever the goal, it’s clear that River Mist’s foundation is solid—and its IEL team, whether they’re winning or learning, will keep showing up for each other.

“I’ve made so many friends here,” Faught said. “Coming from a previous program where everyone kept to themselves, this has been a huge change. Everyone at River Mist is just so welcoming.”

And for Yarbou, who dreams of qualifying for a Modified and a CCI1* next year, the team means everything. “It’s not just about riding well,” she said. “It’s about riding together.”

As the season forges on, the team is eager to keep building on what they’ve started—both in the barn and in the show ring. The IEL program has given them new ways to connect, compete, and grow together, all while staying true to the team spirit that defines their everyday life at River Mist.

About the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL)

In August 2020, the USEA Board of Governors approved the creation of the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) as an official program of the USEA. The mission of IEL is to unite junior riders who are in the 5th—12th grade and provide a supportive community through which students can continue to pursue their riding interests. A group of junior members in the 5th—12th grade who share a common bond, such as the same barn, school, Pony Club, or other connection, can register with the USEA as an IEL Club. The second annual USEA Interscholastic Eventing Championship will be held alongside the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 2-4, 2025. Click here to learn more about the Interscholastic Eventing League.

The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Horse & Country, Kerrits, PulseVet, Sidelines, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, World Equestrian Brands, and Young Rider for sponsoring the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League.