National Sportsmanship Award – Interscholastic Equestrian Association

2026 - 2027 MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award Application Process

Online application form will be available September 1, 2026.

Completed applications are due by Friday, May 14, 2027.

Sportsmanship in everyday activities around the barn and in competition are at the heart of every IEA rider. Early mornings, long days and competing on a horse you have never ridden before can be challenging and IEA riders who are able to successfully navigate IEA show days with grace, integrity and kindness are recognized for their sportsmanship.

MZ Farms and the IEA proudly announce the MZ FARMS IEA NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP RECOGNITION AND AWARD PROGRAM.

Recognition

During the IEA show season, each IEA horse show at the local, Region and Zone level is encouraged to select an IEA rider member who stood out for their outstanding Sportsmanship. These Sportsmanship Award winners must be active IEA rider members in grades 4-12.

Each winner will receive a commemorative IEA Sportsmanship Award patch and an invitation to participate in the annual MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award Program. Winners will be listed on the IEA website through June 30th of each year and then archived.

Award Program

All winners (Futures & Upper School) of an MZ Farms IEA Sportsmanship Award throughout the IEA show season will be invited to apply for an opportunity to win the end of the year MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award.

Application Process

Winners are encouraged to apply early. (Once you have received a regular or post-season Sportsmanship Award, you can submit your application.)

The deadline for completed applications is FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2027.

The online application link will be posted on this page by September 1, 2026. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.

A complete application will include the following:

A completed online application form.
A brief written essay (no more than 200 words) about what sportsmanship means to the individual and to the sport of equestrian in general.
Three (3) letters of recommendation (one from an equine professional, one from a teacher or school advisor and one is an adult of the applicant’s choice.
Brief synopsis of communicty and academic activities including, but not limited to, leadership positions, volunteer organizations, community service and any associated honors or awards.
A brief video (no longer than 90 seconds) on why the individual is a member of the IEA. The individual can include favorite aspects of being an IEA member in addition to lessons learned along the way. This video may be used in IEA social media posts.
An official school transcript that demonstrates a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
All of these documents will be able to be uploaded as individual PDFs or video files within the online application form.

Judging

A panel of judges will be chosen by MZ Farms and the IEA to review all applications and will take the following into consideration:

Completed application
Essay on sportsmanship and video submission
Letters of recommendation
Community and academic involvement
Official school transcript

Awards and Recognition

Participants will be judged in two divisions (Upper School and Futures).

Upper School

Ribbons will be awarded for participants placing 1st through 8th place.
1st Place Winner will receive an engraved trophy.
Scholarship money will be awarded as follows: 1st Place – $1,000, 2nd Place – $500, 3rd Place – $250
Placings and recognition will be made on all IEA social media channels, IEA e-newsletter, in a press release and on the IEA website.

Futures

Ribbons will be awarded for participants placing 1st through 8th place.
1st Place Winner will receive an engraved trophy.
Scholarship money will be awarded as follows: 1st Place – $250, 2nd Place – $150, 3rd Place – $75
Placings and recognition will be made on all IEA social media channels, IEA e-newsletter, in a press release and on the IEA website.

MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Outstanding Essay Contest

A panel of judges will evaluate the essays submitted with completed application and choose the best essay to receive additional recognition and a cash award of $250.