AQHA Partners With IEA to Provide New Youth Scholarships

AQHA has renewed its partnership with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association in conjunction with the American Quarter Horse Youth Association to provide expanded scholarship opportunities for IEA riders with AQHYA memberships.

AQHA and IEA have similar missions of promoting lifelong involvement in equestrian activities with a strong desire to develop youth involvement and their leadership skills. Through organized competitions, educational programs and leadership opportunities, IEA is focused not only on introducing young athletes to equestrian sport, but also to inspire and facilitate adults to continue their journey in equestrian athletics for a lifetime.

This partnership will provide opportunities for IEA members to fund their future endeavors in the equine industry, which mutually benefits both organizations.

IEA riders who are also AQHYA members are able to earn various scholarships through the AQHA-IEA Youth Leadership Award Scholarship. A total of six AQHA-IEA Outstanding Leader scholarships will be awarded to IEA members – two per discipline – each season.

“IEA utilizes thousands of horses across the nation annually in our draw-based competition format, many of which are Quarter Horses,” said Roxane Durant, IEA Founder and Executive Director. “The versatility of the Quarter Horse makes them perfect equine partners for all of our disciplines. AQHA has been an industry leader in promoting the breed as well as offering a wide variety of strong youth programs. We are delighted to partner with AQHYA to cross-promote youth activities and leadership development and collaborate on ideas for growth.”

To be eligible for the new IEA Outstanding Leader Scholarship, IEA members must also be current AQHYA members and complete the application found on the IEA website. (Application form will be added to this page when the press release goes live.) This Leadership Award is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who ride hunt seat, western or dressage and have been IEA members for at least two seasons. The 2023 deadline for applications is April 1 with awards being announced and funds distributed before July 31. 

IEA members who are not already AQHYA members can receive a 20% discount on AQHYA membership using the promo code IEA. 

"Youth are the future of our industry and supporting youth equestrian organizations is a key initiative of AQHA,” said AQHA Chief Executive Officer Karl Stressman. “With so many American Quarter Horses used in IEA competition, we look forward to bringing that horse-to-rider connection full circle by renewing our partnership and providing expanded scholarship opportunities for IEA and AQHYA members.” 

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About American Quarter Horse Association

AQHA is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization. Founded in 1940 and headquartered in Amarillo, Texas, AQHA records and preserves the pedigrees of more than 6 million American Quarter Horses. From ranching to racing, showing to recreational riding and rodeo, the American Quarter Horse does it all, and its Association provides services, experiences and benefits for members to enhance Quarter Horse ownership. The opportunities are endless through AQHA’s youth organization, AQHYA, to enhance horsemanship, leadership and education through programs, events, contests and scholarships. To learn more, visit www.aqha.com. 

About Interscholastic Equestrians Association

Now in its 21st year, IEA has over 14,500 members across the United States participating in hunt seat, western and dressage disciplines. There is no need for a rider to own a horse because the IEA hosting team supplies a mount and tack to each equestrian for competitions. IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics. IEA wishes to introduce students in grades 4-8 (Future) and 9-12 (Upper School) to equestrian sports and to develop understanding and appreciation of equestrian sports through organized competitions and educational opportunities. IEA further wishes to inspire and facilitate adults to continue their journey in equestrian athletics for a lifetime. Membership for the 2023-2024 IEA season opens in June 2023 with competitions beginning August 2023.

For more information, visit www.rideiea.org.