Sending horse to IEA nationals: what to expect

[SarahandSam]

I’m shipping my pony off with my trainer this weekend to earn me some money doing flat classes at IEA nationals. 'Bout time he started paying his way. I’m not really familiar with the IEA/IHSA system since I never did it myself, though my barn has an IHSA team and I know the basic catch-ride format.

My horse is generally a pretty mellow, fun flat ride, and I think he’ll be fine with a variety of riders for short amounts of time. He’s forward and sensitive, but he’s also got a happy attitude so he is generally good with people just getting on and doing their thing as long as they don’t nitpick at him too much, which I don’t think is too likely for a short flat class. I also trust my trainer to be type A about his tack and keeping an eye on his mental state and schooling him when he gets there Thursday, so I’m not really worried about any of that aspect; I just don’t know a whole lot about what his day will look like or equipment I should send with him or how crowded flat schooling/classes are. I’ve also never shown at Syracuse (indoors at the Coliseum), though I’ve been there for shows, so I’m not familiar with stabling.

Does anyone have any insight into things I should know, precautions I should take, etc.? I hate to nag my trainer with a bunch of questions since she’s bringing a couple of horses and has a lot going on.

Do the riders all use the saddle I send with him or their own saddles? Should I send his fitted fleece hunter pad or a square pad?

I was also hoping to come out Saturday and Sunday to help out; would I be able to school my own horse and groom him and everything?

Also, is there a way I can give specifics about his ride or have my trainer give specifics, like “light contact,” “no spurs/whip,” and “pay generously with peppermints”?

Basically, any info or experience you have to share would be helpful, thanks!

[joiedevie99]

Some of these details will be questions for your trainer only - such as whether or not they will let you school instead of her.

I would send the horse with whatever you would use if you were showing him in an equitation class, i.e. boots or wraps are fine, a fitted hunter pad, martingale if he wears one, etc. Everyone will use the saddle you send. If there is a rider with very short/long legs, or very narrow/wide feet - they may permit them to switch leathers/irons.

If there is a horse list, your trainer will be able to put notes on it about how your horse likes to be ridden. If not, it will be up to the person holding your horse to pass that information along to riders. Most trainers will watch the warm-up and ask questions then if they aren’t sure what kind of ride the horse wants as well. If you are there to hold your horse between classes, people will certainly ask you these kinds of questions too.

[hj0519]

It’s been a while since I’ve done IEA, but I’m guessing my experience is still somewhat relevant!

Do the riders all use the saddle I send with him or their own saddles?

All riders will use the saddle that you send with him - they aren’t allowed to use their own saddles.

Should I send his fitted fleece hunter pad or a square pad?

I would say a square pad so that they can pin his nametag on it, but ask your trainer to be sure. It’s been a while since I did IEA myself, but often the teams that bring their horses will use square pads embroidered with their team’s/barn’s name. It’s also possible that they’ll provide saddle pads for the horses, though I’m not sure!

I was also hoping to come out Saturday and Sunday to help out; would I be able to school my own horse and groom him and everything?

Typically the team that brings the horse is in charge of schooling it, so yes, you could potentially be the one schooling it during the horse warm-ups. I’d ask your trainer about this, because she may already have a plan in place for the schooling and warm-ups. Same for the grooming and tacking - typically the team that brings the horse is in charge of grooming, tacking, horse holding, and after care.

Also, is there a way I can give specifics about his ride or have my trainer give specifics, like “light contact,” “no spurs/whip,” and “pay generously with peppermints”?

Absolutely! There will be a ‘horse list’ with general guidelines for each horse as well as a yes/no on crop or spurs, so you can say that your horse is no crop, no spurs. If you want to give the specific riders advice face-to-face, then on the days you’re there, ask your trainer if you can be your horse’s holder, so that you can give them tips when they get on.

[bluepece2]

When I schooled horses for an IEA show we didn’t get to school our own horses, the horses names were all put into a hat and we warmed up the horse that got our name in the hat draw. I ended up on a horse that I did not click with on a terrible saddle. I had never been so glad that I wasn’t competing that day!

[pony4me]

My pony has been used for IHSA shows, and I believe IEA is the same format. I always sent his saddle with him, and my trainer had a printed sheet with photo and info. My trainer always took good care of him, and I usually was on site just to make sure everything was fine. He survived just fine, and was a favorite draw.

[Gamma]

I’m not sure about IEA, but IHSA the riders are not allowed to adjust the equipment…or even touch it, really, except for the stirrups/stirrup leathers. For example, the rider is supposed to ask the horse holder to check the girth and tighten it if necessary, before the rider mounts.

[equinestr]

Hello, just finished my last IEA season. Your horse will only be in the saddle you provide for him, the IEA kids can’t touch the tack on the ponies they’re riding. You’re allowed to school your horse but anyone that has drawn that horse to compete with them can’t touch your pony. Use a pad that you can pin his name on so the riders can find their horses. If the tack for your pony has broken or anything and there is nothing to replace it he’ll be removed from the classes.

[costco_muffins]

We are headed to nationals! What is your horse’s name - we will keep an eye out for her. We will be the ones coming from Washington State and wearing very exciting superhero outfits.

Square pads for sure, boots or wraps are acceptable for all classes.

Horses at nationals are very well schooled and lovely. Most would be the type that would do the short stirrup or pre-children’s at a rated show.

[Raymundo]

Is your pony a medium or a large?

[SarahandSam]

Thanks everyone for the insights! Unfortunately another horse at my barn has a cough and slight fever so my trainer has decided not to bring horses after all just to be on the safe side… I was kind of looking forward to it. Maybe next year if it’s nearby again!

[costco_muffins]

@SarahandSam

Thanks everyone for the insights! Unfortunately another horse at my barn has a cough and slight fever so my trainer has decided not to bring horses after all just to be on the safe side… I was kind of looking forward to it. Maybe next year if it’s nearby again!

Aww I know what barn you are from! Your trainer is an old IHSA friend of mine from college

[SarahandSam]

@costco_muffins

Aww I know what barn you are from! Your trainer is an old IHSA friend of mine from college

Oh fun! She’s great.

[pony4me]

There’s a livestream if anyone cares to watch. https://www.rideiea.org/national-fin…eo-stream.html