The inaugural USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Championship at Stable View in Aiken, South Carolina, is just over a week away, which means it is time to meet the teams that are set to compete! A total of 42 competitors representing eight IEL Clubs will make up the 12 teams that are set to compete in the 2024 USEA IEL Championship on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5.
The first IEL Clubs to take advantage of this year-end goal for 5th through 12th grade students are the Aiken County Pony Club, A2 Developing Riders, East Coast Eventers, GWIF Groupies, The Flying Potatoes, River Mist Eventing Team, River Run Eventing, and Willow South Eventing.
The USEA IEL was created in 2020 with a mission to bring together junior riders with a common interest and provide a supportive community through which students can continue to pursue their riding interests. By coupling the inaugural championship with the USEA Intercollegiate Eventing Championship, the USEA aims to help to provide a pathway for those riders who seek to be part of a collegiate eventing program after graduation.
Before the action kicks off, learn a bit about the middle and high schoolers that are leading the charge for the program in the "Meet the Teams" preview below.
The USEA would like to thank Bates Saddles, Horse & Country, Kerrits, Nunn Finer, Sidelines Magazine, U.S. Equestrian, WeRideTogether, and World Equestrian Brands for sponsoring the USEA Intercollegiate & Interscholastic Eventing Championships.
Eventers who are new to the sport may feel a little overwhelmed by the often-misunderstood world of saddle fitting. Riders are often bombarded with information from peers online or self-described experts, putting them at risk of following bad advice related to equipment that impacts horse welfare perhaps more than any other piece of tack. Finding a qualified expert to answer these questions is crucial. Who better to turn to than both a qualified Master Saddle Fitter and a fourth-generation saddle designer to answer some of these questions?
Did you know that the USEA Foundation awards over 150 grants each year to deserving individuals who are involved in the sport of eventing? With grants that assist riders with accomplishing their competition goals, grants geared toward licensed officials, grants that are specific to continuing education for coaches, grants that assist competitions with obtaining frangible technology, and so much more, there really is a grant opportunity available to almost anyone!
With the start of the New Year just days away, now is the time to consider how your actions can have a positive impact on the sport of eventing in 2025. Each and every member of the eventing community has an important role to play in ensuring the sport continues to grow and thrive. From fostering educational opportunities to supporting grassroots initiatives and participating at all levels of the sport, there are so many ways to get involved.
Ride iQ’s popular “Ask An Expert” series features professional advice and tips from all areas of the horse industry. One of the most-downloaded episodes is an expert session with Peter Gray, an accomplished dressage judge and Olympic eventer. He has recently judged at events like the five-star at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, and he served on the ground jury at the 2022 FEI World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy. His background as a competitor in the Olympic Games riding for Bermuda and as a coach and selector for the Canadian eventing team adds depth to his understanding of the sport.