The Spruce Valley Stables / Certainty Sales Juniors Team offers riders the chance to compete and learn in a variety of ways, including IEA for both Hunt Seat and Dressage. The team is coached by Meg Maloney and Diane Brandow.
Interscholastic Equestrian Association Spruce Valley Stables / Certainty Sales is home to an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) team. This program is available to 4th-12th grade students in the Central NY area. Competitions occur between September through January. Our regular season competitions typically occur locally to Central New York, which post season competitions sometimes requiring some travel.
The goals of IEA are to set standards for competition, provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated equestrian sport programs, promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to equestrian sport at the middle and secondary school levels (primarily ages 11 through 19). Through the IEA, students have the opportunity to earn scholarships towards their college education through awards in competition and through sportsmanship activities.
IEA Competition Format The unique aspect of IEA competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the horses, saddle and other tack are provided to the students at the show. The host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Some of the equipment may be borrowed from various training barns and facilities. Though the rider and horse have a short opportunity at orientation in the over fences classes for hunt seat and tests for dressage, essentially, the horse is new to the rider, and the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation, not the horse. Both disciplines offer a variety of ability levels from beginner through advanced.
The IEA is an affiliate of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
The objectives of IEA are:
To promote the equestrian as an athlete
To provide students with organized competitive opportunities
To introduce new riders to equine sports
To promote the IEA among middle and secondary schools
To provide students with opportunities for further education equine sports and other equine-related matters
To encourage liaison with other equestrian groups
To provide information concerning the creation and development of school associated mounted and non-mounted equestrian programs
To establish and enforce IEA rules, standards and policies
To evolve with the continuing progress of equestrian sports
To generally promote the common interests of safe riding instruction and competition and education on matters related to the horse industry and all segments thereof.
Interested in joining the 2023-2024 Team? Join us on July 25th at 6pm for our info night and tryouts! Parents encouraged to attend as well! Email mmaloney@johnmaddensales.com for more information.