Lexington KY—   September 30, 2015—The United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) are pleased to announce their updated partnership will establish a new USHJA Scholastic membership category for IEA members, giving them access to USHJA educational programs. 

“IEA continues to grow and develop excellent, competitive young riders,” said USHJA President Bill Moroney. “This partnership is about encouraging these riders and their coaches to excel in this sport by giving them access to great USHJA educational programs at a reduced cost.”

USHJA Scholastic members will have access to various USHJA educational programs, as well as awards and recognition, and become part of a growing community of hunter/jumper equestrians. Specifically, USHJA Scholastic members will be able to participate in the following current programs, provided the member meets the eligibility requirements other than membership category: Horsemanship Quiz Challenge, Emerging Athletes Program, and the Trainer Certification Program. USHJA Scholastic members will have access to regular sport information through the USHJA In Stride and USHJA email updates and receive discounts on certain publications and products. Members may participate in the USHJA Annual Meeting and become part of sport governance by providing comment on sport rules.

Further, USHJA and IEA have partnered to create two new scholastic clinics each year that will be available to USHJA Scholastic members, offering both stable management and riding education over multiple days. The clinics will feature top clinicians, giving Scholastic members access to an exciting set of hands-on educational opportunities to advance their horsemanship skills. Details for the first clinics will be available in 2016.

“The USHJA is the premier Hunter Jumper organization in the United States.  It is important to the young IEA Hunt Seat equestrians to have the opportunity to be a member of this group. Together, our organizations can add new participants to equestrian sport and encourage a life-long connection to the Hunter Jumper community,” said Roxane Lawrence, IEA co-founder and executive director.

Until November 1, 2015, all USHJA members who sign up as new IEA coaches will receive a free IEA membership for 2015-16, and new riders who sign up on teams led by those new member coaches will receive $10 off their IEA membership. Competitive IEA teams are becoming staples in barns and schools across the country. The IEA competition season began on September 12 and ends at the National Finals in April 2016. IEA offers classes in four ability levels—   beginner, novice, intermediate and open—   and teams may be made up of any combination of ability levels. Points are tracked for individual rider accomplishments and for overall, team accomplishments. Individuals and teams earn points to qualify for regional, zone and national finals. For additional information regarding new memberships, USHJA coaches/riders should contact Jennifer Eaton, IEA Membership Coordinator at Jenn@rideiea.org or 877-743-3432 x203.

USHJA membership for 2016 opened on September 23. Scholastic membership is limited to IEA members. For more information visit www.ushja.org/membership.

About IEA

Founded in 2002, the IEA has more than 12,000 middle and high school student-riders across the United States. The IEA was organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students and is open to public and private schools and barn teams. There is no need for any rider to own a horse because a mount and tack are provided at each event. The IEA’s purpose is to set minimum standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, to generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to equestrian competition at the middle and secondary school levels. For more information, please view the IEA website at: www.rideiea.org.

About USHJA

The United States Hunter Jumper Association, as the official hunter/jumper affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation, is a competition-based sport organization that serves our members through educational programs, awards and recognition, communication and rules. We provide a wide array of programs for all hunter/jumper levels, and we are mindful of the well-being of our equine partners. Additionally, we are committed to preserving the history of our sport and through our Foundation we support charitable and benevolent services. For more information, visit www.ushja.org.