IEA Team Competes in First Show of the Season

In this style of competition, riders compete on unfamiliar horses owned by the host team, putting their ability to adapt to a new horse in a competition setting to the test. Every rider competing Sunday was either competing in IEA for the first time or competing in a higher division. All the riders really stepped up and rode strong despite the new challenges they faced. 

 

Taylor Xu '23 rode for the first time in the Open division, and put in two strong rides on the Flat and Over Fences. In Intermediate, Carolyn Whatley '23 and Elle Reeves '25 moved up from Novice and  both had strong trips, navigating the new height with ease. Reeves had a consistent ride finishing fifth, while Whatley's decisiveness on course placed her in the top spot, bringing home a win for the team. On the Flat, Reeves finished second, while Whatley laid down a strong Flat performance and placed fifth.

 

Sophie Croker Poole '23 competed Over Fences for the first time. Julia Schultz '24 then stepped into the IEA ring for the first time and laid down a nice trip, improving with each jump, to earn a sixth place ribbon in a competitive class. On the Flat, Croker Poole took home the sixth place finish.

To wrap up the day both Angelina Jin '23 and Olive Ye '24 competed in the IEA ring for the first time in Walk Trot Canter. Jin had a strong ride earning a fourth-place finish. 

"This show represented so much growth for each of the riders, and all had moments to be proud of in the ring," noted Director of Riding Ally Doyon.

The IEA team will travel to MacNairs on Oct. 8 for their next competition.