08/20/2025
IEA Team Registration Now Open — Ride, Grow,
We’re excited to announce that registration for the Thomas School of Horsemanship IEA Team is officially open! As we gear up for another season of shows, we’re looking to build a team of riders who want to challenge themselves, connect with others, and experience a great barn family all while competing! Whether you’re an experienced rider or just starting out, IEA offers a unique chance to show with purpose — and you don’t need to own a horse to join.
You Need Only a Love for Riding
One of the most empowering aspects of IEA is its accessibility. Unlike most other horse shows held around the country, riders don’t need to own or even lease a horse in order to compete. Instead, horses are provided by the host barn, and riders draw mounts at random just before their class begins. This levels the playing field and creates a powerful opportunity: to learn how to ride any horse well. For many riders, this is a chance to step into the show ring without the financial pressure of horse ownership. It removes a barrier that keeps too many talented, motivated young equestrians from experiencing competition — and replaces it with possibility.
Be Part of a Team That Feels Like Family While riding is often seen as an individual sport, IEA transforms it into a team effort. Riders lesson and train together, compete together, and support each other both in and out of the ring. While the atmosphere at shows is exciting and fun, the team shares a great sense of pride and is very supportive and encouraging at every level. Our riders cheer for each other during every class. They share in each other's wins and lessons learned. They shine boots, lends gloves, offer last-minute advice to calm nerves, and celebrate all the little victories together. And that support doesn’t end when the show is over — it stays with them, building friendships and confidence that last well beyond the season.
Real Growth, Real Confidence IEA challenges riders to trust themselves. Drawing a horse you’ve never met, walking into the ring, and performing at your best takes courage and skill. It teaches you to think on your feet, listen to the horse, and ride with feel.. Over time, that experience builds a quiet confidence. Riders learn to stay calm under pressure, to adapt, and to focus on connecting to the horse you are on. These are the lessons that don’t just make better equestrians — they make more grounded, compassionate young people.
A Head Start for College Riding — and Life The IEA format is modeled after the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), which governs college riding. That means our riders are gaining direct experience in the same draw-based format used at colleges and universities across the country. Even for those who don’t plan to ride in college, the benefits are clear. IEA teaches independence, teamwork, composure, and sportsmanship — all in a competitive setting. For many riders, IEA is the first time they see themselves not just as students or athletes, but as part of something bigger — a team that becomes a family. If your child is passionate about riding and ready to take the next step, we invite you to learn more about our IEA team. We’ll be sharing quotes and reflections from our riders in the coming weeks, and we’re always happy to answer questions or schedule a visit to the barn. Whether you're for fun, for the love of horses, or the friendships built — this is where it all comes together.
Informational meeting this Thurs 8/21 @ 6 pm
IEA - Interscholastic Equestrian Association
