United States Eventing Association

Check in with the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Team Challenge Summer Champions

The U.S. Eventing Association’s (USEA) Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) has grown in leaps and bounds in 2024, with the inaugural IEL Championship held alongside the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship this spring at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina.

Since our last update in June 19 IEL competitions have taken place across the country. Check out our recap below. You can view full results here.

The Equestrian’s Institute H.T. was held in Cle Elum, Washington, from May 30-June 2. Team Chaos #1, which consisted of Mikayla Campbell (Flyght Risk), Tegan Barte (Freya), Addison Kelemen (Summer Fling), and Abigail Tingstad (HS Cool River Jane), were the victors on a score of 127.35 ahead of six other teams.

Four teams competed at the IEA Horse Trials, held May 30-June 2 in Edinburgh, Indiana. In the end, it was Spring Run #2 who took home the win on a score of 92.5. Katie Schmitz (Undaunted Rags), Claire Rigney (Cobra King), Kennedy Daley (Gray Moon Rising), and Ella Wegerich (VC Hermes du Landren) made up the team.

Poplar Place Horse Trials held their IEL Team Challenge on June 1-2 in Hamilton, Georgia. Two teams participated, with the River Mist Eventing Team winning on a score of 89.6. The team consisted of Kaarthik Sribalusu (Malachai Munny), Hadiya Yarbou (Cooley Gentleman), Aubrey Sabatino (Ravishing), and Molly Hennelly (Savedthebetforlast).

MCTA Horse Trials, held June 1-2 in Cockeysville, Maryland, had five teams participate, and in the end it was the A2DR & Deep Purple team who came home with the win on a score of 133.5. The team was made up of Ashley Zupan (Al Capony), Gretchen Wolfe (Grizzly), Megan Hopkins (Altaskin Jack), and Shannon Zupan (Cricket).

A large turnout of eight teams competed at the Mill Creek Pony Club Horse Trials, held June 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri. AR Eventing came out on top with a score of 108.3. The team was Ayden Brandon (Deacon HGF), Willow Lane (Bonne Fete), Calista Grandy (Olivia), and Mila Jordan (LandShark).

Five teams competed in the IEL at the Cobblestone Farm Horse Trials in Chelsea, Michigan, from June 8-9. Slater Boos (Sozo), Maura O’Connor (Will You Be Mine), Katie Schutte (Rigden), and Hannah Willford (DHI Kloosterboy) made up the winning team, Washtenaw T.E.A.M, and earned a final score of 96.1.

Seneca Valley Pony Club Horse Trials, held June 15-16 in Poolesville, Maryland, hosted three IEL teams, with the A2DR & East Coast Eventers taking home the win on a score of 94.0. The team was made up of Ella Ruth Goodman (MHF Christine), Sarah West (Unexpected Blessing), Berkley Gardner (In Vogue), and Andronicki DiBiasi (Dictate The Terms).

Three teams came out for the Stable View Summer Horse Trials in Aiken, South Carolina, from June 21-23. In the end it was the Aiken County Pony Club team who won on a score of 102.4. The team consisted of Alexis Ryan (FGF Actium), Meaghan Nelson (Leilani KBF), Alexandra Swales (Fly Me To Rio), and Marissa Redmond (Turbinado VEF).

Seven teams competed at the Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trials in Lexington, Kentucky, from June 21-23. The Bluegrass PC Team 2 won on a score of 96.1. The team consisted of Savannah Nieman (A Twist Of Twyla), Mayela Salazar (Big Iron), and Abby McKinley (Match Point).

Fox River Valley Pony Club Horse Trials, held June 22-23 in Barrington Hills, Illinois, hosted seven IEL teams, and the Area IV Top Guns won on a score of 91.8. Ava Linder (Midnight Flight), Rachel Frische (FGF Kingslayer), Lucy Kelly (Benefit Of The Doubt), and Cora Riley (Marisol) made up the winning team.

Ten teams competed at Larkin Hill Horse Trials, held June 30 in North Chatham, New York. Kulak Equestrian topped the competition on a score of 104.3. Emerson Hover (Ace Of Spades), Lucy Hill (Journey To Ernie), Ainsley Hewitt (Fernhill Stateside), and Miriam Evans (Zuko) made up the winning team.

Six teams competed at the Full Moon Farm Horse Trials, held June 30 in Finskburg, Maryland. The A2 Developing Riders won on a score of 93.3. The winning team consisted of Ella Ruth Goodman (MHF Christine), Shannon Zupan (Cricket), Ashley Zupan (Al Capony), and Marina Cassou (Castleturvin Mungo).

The Event At Rebecca Farm, held July 17-21 in Kalispell, Montana, hosted 15 teams, and Stoneybrook Farm-Bay Watch won on a score of 84.6. The team was Olivia Larson (Funny Boy S), Payton Hsue (Molon Labe), Alexis Hsue (Fantom), and Lily Rhea (Cooley Ever After).

The Area VII Young Rider Benefit H.T. at Caber Farm, held Aug. 3-4 in Onalaska, Washington, had three teams competed in the IEL Team Challenge. Team Chaos won on a score of 105.0. The team consisted of Flyyn Patinkin (Black Cape Hero), Anna Patinkin (Chaos), Tegan Barte (Freya), and Piper Gaskins (Rubiella DSF).

The Catalpa Corner Charity H.T., held Aug. 3 in Iowa City, Iowa, had six teams participate, with the Baywatch team coming out on top on a score of 105.0. The team consisted of Lily Boettner (Namibia), Aylah Siegel (Pegasus Moon), Sophia Smith (High Dollar Dreams), and Madelyn Zika (Woodford Manhattan).

Otter Creek Summer H.T., held Aug. 9-11 in Wheeler, Washington, had seven IEL teams competing, and the Leaping Legends topped the field on a score of 114.7. Sofie Goodlund (Juniper), Ava Linder (Midnight Flight), Rachel Frische (FGF Kingslayer), and Laney Wallace (Elio) were on the winning team.

Fair Hill International, held Aug. 10-11 in Elkton, Maryland, had eight IEL teams competing, and it was the Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club team who came out on top with a score of 85.1. The team was made up of Kendal Fansler (Delilah’s Boy and Curioso) and Emma Whitaker (HSH Golden Boy and Lakeside Island).

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Waredaca Horse Trials held Aug. 16-18 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, had five teams competing, and The Flying Potatoes won on a score of 159.9. Gianna Bird (A Kodak Image), Callie Snow (Botshabelo MVH Z), and Lillian Goeller (Amy’s 1^st Love) made up the winning team.

Equestrians’ Institute H.T., held Aug. 30-Sept. 1 in Cle Elum, Washington, had five teams compete. The Inland Northwest Eventers #1 team topped the competition on 96.0. The team consisted of Sarah Buehler (Mozart), Dallie Cobb (Remington Steele and Ketchup), and Sierra Wentling (Night Fury).

Are you interested in joining the Interscholastic Eventing League? View the list of current IEL Clubs here and reach out to a club representative in your Area to learn more. If you would like to start a new IEL Club in your area, follow instructions on the IEL homepage and contact staff liaison Kaleigh Collett at [email protected] if you have any questions.

The IEL would not be possible without the support of the amazing students that compete and the event organizers that graciously offer team challenges at their events. If you are an event organizer that is interested in supporting the IEL in 2024, consider hosting a team challenge! Adding a team challenge to your existing USEA-recognized event is seamless, and the USEA staff is here to help you get started. Learn more about what it takes to host an IEL Team Challenge here, and contact Kaleigh Collett at [email protected] to sign up.

Don’t forget, all IEL Clubs will be welcome and encouraged to enter to compete at the 2025 USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Championship at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, on May 3-4. There’s no better time than now to start preparing for this exciting opportunity! Click here to view the list of venues that will host IEL Team Challenges this year. To stay up-to-date on the 2025 IEL Championship, join Stable View’s WhatsApp group here.

To learn more about the IEL, visit useventing.com/iel.

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 Affiliate. The USEA Board of Governors recently approved an inaugural IEL Championship to kick-off in 2024 at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, which will be held in conjunction with the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships on May 4-5. Click here to learn more about the Interscholastic Eventing League.

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