United States Eventing Association

Tips on Getting Started with IEL

The USEA Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) is in its second year and continues to be extremely popular among junior members. This new program encourages team camaraderie and gives junior members a chance to compete in a team atmosphere. It also helps provide a pathway for those riders who seek to be part of a collegiate eventing program as they graduate high school.

Interested in participating in IEL but not sure where to start? First, check to see if you’re eligible by answering these three questions:

1. Are you in the 7^th – 12^th grade?

2. Are you a current member of the USEA?

3. Do you know others in the 7^th - 12^th grade that also compete?

If you checked yes to all three, you are ready to register as an IEL Affiliate!

Become Official with the USEA

• The IEL registration requires two steps - the first step is to fill out the IEL application form for 2022 found here. The second step is to put together a team roster with all members listed. Send both the IEL application form and the team roster to the USEA Senior Director of Membership, Jennifer Hardwick at [email protected].

Participate in IEL Team Challenges

• There are over 25 IEL team challenges on the 2022 calendar. The full list can be found here. If local events are not hosting a team challenge, see if they would consider adding one to their next event. Volunteer your team to help them add and run it.
• Use resources available through the USEA to help organize and run an IEL team challenge. A guide on how to organize an IEL team challenge and a blank scoring template can both be found under the ‘Helpful Resources’ section below.

Grow your IEL Team

• Spread the word! Talk to your local trainer to see if any other students would like to join the IEL team. Also, talk to your friends to see if they want to join the team.
• Consider getting team apparel and/or team decorations for team members.
• Highlight your success! Send team challenge results to [email protected] for the results to be published on the USEA website.
• Share your team story! Submit a short article to [email protected] that highlights the team and team members, and the article will be featured on the USEA website and the USEA social media.

IEL Program Contacts

• USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Task Force Chair - Chris Donovan, [email protected]
• USEA Chief Executive Officer – Rob Burk, [email protected]
• USEA Senior Director of Membership – Jennifer Hardwick, [email protected]
• USEA Director of Programs and Marketing – Kate Lokey, [email protected]
• USEA Interscholastic Eventing League Staff Liaison – Claire Kelley, [email protected]
  

Helpful Resources

About the USEA Interscholastic Eventing League

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 bring together 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 (same barn, same school, same Pony Club, etc.) register with the USEA as an interscholastic team. Click here to learn more about the Interscholastic Eventing League.