IEA to Host Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) 2024 National Championships at Tryon

From IEA

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 (Columbus, OH) – The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is proud to announce that they will host the 2024 Intercollegiate Dressage Association (IDA) National Championships alongside their own IEA Hunt Seat and Dressage National Finals on April 25-28, 2024 at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Now in its 5th official year as an IEA discipline (following a 3-year pilot program), the fast-growing IEA Dressage program has collaborated for several years with IDA as a Member Partner and benefitted from shared knowledge and resources. This newly expanded partnership will be the first time IEA and IDA will hold their respective National horse shows together in an effort to promote Dressage as an equestrian sport as well as collegiate riding opportunities for young riders.

Fresh off a successful 2023 National Finals at Tryon, IEA will again utilize their beautiful side-by-side indoor arenas for this massive 4-day event. Both IEA and IDA each have approximately 80 youth and collegiate Dressage teams across the United States that will vie for Championship titles during this season. Combined with over 1,200 IEA Hunt Seat teams, this year’s triple National Finals event is expected to attract more than 900 youth and collegiate qualified riders.

“The Intercollegiate Dressage Association Board is excited to be partnering with the Interscholastic Equestrian Association for the 2024 National Championships,” says IDA President Lisa Moosmuller-Terry. “This collaboration will allow for a greater Nationals experience with combined efforts and resources for both associations in the areas of growth, horses provided, show staff and volunteers. We are looking forward to Nationals with IEA at the beautiful Tryon Equestrian Center and their wonderful staff.”

Both IEA and IDA utilize the draw-based competition format, meaning riders do not need to own their own horse or tack to participate, thus making it affordable for middle school, high school, and collegiate riders to compete in equestrian sport. Both organizations will hold classes over the 4-day period allowing spectators to see a wide variety of class levels, awards ceremonies, and special events.

IEA Executive Director and Founder, Roxane Durant stated, “The IEA is thrilled to partner with IDA on our National Finals! Partnerships like this are a win-win for everyone. Holding these events together shares staffing and resources that will benefit both events. Also, our IEA riders will have a great opportunity to see IDA college riders and meet their coaches which in turn makes the on-ramp to collegiate riding more accessible.”

“It will undoubtedly be beneficial for our youth riders to talk face-to-face with collegiate riders about their college teams and experiences,” says IEA Dressage Zone Administrator Emily David. “We are planning a number of ways for our riders to mingle together with potential coaches, not only for our Dressage riders but also for our Hunt Seat riders as well. It will be a fantastic opportunity for college coaches to scout out and recruit potential riders.”

In addition to hosting IEA Hunt Seat and Dressage National Finals alongside IDA National Championships, this will also be the first time that IEA will hold Adult classes at a Nationals event. Now in its second year, a limited number of adult amateurs participating in the IEA Adult Pilot Program will qualify this season to compete in Dressage Test and Dressage Seat Equitation classes as well as Hunt Seat Equitation fences and flat classes.

Over 40 colleges participated as vendors and/or horse providers at the 2023 IEA National Finals. Additionally, IEA awarded more than $1.1M in cash and collegiate scholarships during the 2023 season. Colleges and Universities interested in participating in the 2024 combined IEA and IDA event should contact Emily David at emily@rideiea.org for details on providing horses or Megan Taylor at megan@rideiea.org for details on vendor tables and sponsorships.

Tryon International Equestrian Center is a world-class facility that opened in June 2014 with sanctioned horse shows and initial supporting amenities. Nestled in the lush foothills of North Carolina, it now boasts 12 riding arenas, more than 1,200 permanent stalls, and a variety of restaurants, shops, and lodging options, plus a sporting clay course and a golf and sports club.