The United States Eventing Association, Inc. (USEA) and the Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Task Force are thrilled to announce the introduction of Interscholastic Leaderboards for 2023. Starting this year, all IEL members will have the opportunity to earn points at competitions across the country which will be reflected in their year-end status on special Interscholastic-specific leaderboards, similar to the Intercollegiate leaderboards that were introduced in 2016. With the inaugural IEL Championship approaching in 2024, the IEL leaderboards will be a great first step in preparing to compete next spring.
Interscholastic leaderboards will be offered for all levels, Beginner Novice through Advanced, and only members of the Interscholastic Eventing League that are listed on one of the IEL Affiliate rosters will be able to accrue points towards the year-end leaderboard. All IEL members’ points will count towards their year-end status, but members are encouraged to participate in events that offer Interscholastic Team Challenges with their teammates to support each other and build team camaraderie. The upgrade placing and point system utilized for the Junior leaderboards will not apply to the IEL leaderboard. For more information on the leaderboard point system, click here.
“Having a leaderboard for Interscholastic Eventing League participants is the first step in creating visibility for the IEL Program,” said Chris Donovan, Co-Chair of the IEL Task Force. “As the IEL continues to mature, I look forward to seeing more Affiliates create teams and Organizers supporting Team Challenges.”
Next year, IEL members will be invited to compete in the first annual IEL Championship. All IEL affiliates will be welcome and encouraged to enter to compete at the event in the spring of 2024. There’s no better time than now to start preparing for this exciting opportunity! By competing this season and earning points towards your year-end status, you are not only gaining the opportunity to be recognized by the USEA for your efforts at the end of the year, but you are also setting the foundation for success at next year’s championship. More information regarding the inaugural IEL Championship, which will be hosted alongside the 2024 USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championships, will be forthcoming.
Are you interested in joining the Interscholastic Eventing League? View the list of current IEL Affiliates and reach out to the Affiliate contacts to learn more. If you would like to start a team in your area, follow instructions on the IEL homepage and contact staff liaison Kaleigh Collett at [email protected] if you have any questions.
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 7-12th grade and provide a supportive community through which students can continue to pursue their riding interests. A group of junior members in the 7th-12th grade who share a common bond, such as the same barn, school, Pony Club, or other connection, register with the USEA as an interscholastic team. Click here to learn more about the Interscholastic Eventing League.
Are you following along with the action from home this weekend? Or maybe you're competing at an event and need information fast. Either way, we’ve got you covered! Check out the USEA’s Weekend Quick Links for links to information including the prize list, ride times, live scores, and more for all the events running this weekend.
After not running in 2020 and 2021, the MARS Bromont CCI Three-Day Event returned to the Bromont Olympic Equestrian Center in Quebec, Canada, in 2022. America's Jennie Saville (née Brannigan) and Twilightslastgleam won the CCI4*-L, as the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding (National Anthem x Royal Child) bred and owned by Nina Gardner moved up from eighth after dressage into the lead after cross-country with the fastest round on wet ground over the tracks designed by Derek di Grazia. Canada's Lindsay Traisnel and Bacyrouge, a bay Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago x Lelia) owned by Patricia Pearce, finished second, and they are among four from the top-10 in the CCI4*-L in 2022 that return in 2023.
Hannah Sue Hollberg of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was on a winning streak at the Essex Horse Trials on Sunday, claiming victory in both the $10,000 Open Intermediate and Open Preliminary divisions with two horses that are fairly new to her. Some difficulty on cross-country did not stop her mount Hachi from claiming victory in the Open Intermediate with a score of 101.6, while Open Preliminary partner Rockster finished on his dressage score of 27.3.
The great football coach Vince Lombardi said, “We win our games in practice.” With the goal of having the most effective practices possible for horses, their riders, and their coaches, Cathy Wieschhoff explains some signs that can indicate when horse and rider should repeat an exercise, switch it up, or be done with that activity. Wieschhoff brings perspective as a five-star rider that has competed at the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Burghley Horse Trials, a USEF “R” Course Designer for eventing cross-country and show jumping, a former Area VIII chair and member of the USEA Board of Governors, and a Level V USEA ECP Certified Coach based out of Carriage Station Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.