IEA

Rules & Regulations for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)

2023-2024 Season

IEA Rules and Regulations (revised 6/1/2023)

The IEA Board of Directors recently approved the completion of a NEW format for the IEA Rulebook, whereby it has now been divided into 4 sections:

  • A GENERAL Rulebook that pertains to ALL MEMBERS
  • A HUNT SEAT Rulebook
  • A WESTERN Rulebook **REVISED 7/11/2023**
  • A DRESSAGE Rulebook

By separating out each discipline, it is our hope that coaches, show officials, riders, parents, and other members will be able to more easily find rules specific to their shows/discipline.  As in previous seasons, NEW and UPDATED rules from the previous season are highlighted.

The IEA Board of Directors recently approved these corrections to the WESTERN Rules & Regulations:

CLASS W6. Junior Varsity Novice Ranch Riding:  Open to riders in grades 9-12 who have a minimum of six months of professional reining or ranch riding instruction and ability to perform patterns on a variety of horses at the jog and lope.  Riders participating in novice ranch riding are expected to compete throughout the regular season in horsemanship at the intermediate, or novice level and are NOT permitted to cross-enter in Class W7 or Class W13 Beginner W/J/L or Class W8 or Class W14 Beginner W/J.


Riders exceeding any one or more of the numbered criteria for novice ranch riding  must be placed at a higher level or petition for alternate placement prior to competing.


Novice riders:


  1. Have NOT competed more than six (6) times / individual performances in reining or ranch riding in section 1 competitions / Rule 3101;
  2. Have NOT accumulated ten (10) or more points in any one mounted class (including Level 1 Youth/Novice, 14-18 or 13 & Under) in any section 1 nationally recognized association (e.g. NRHA, AQHA, APHA, NSBA) or 30 or more points in any one mounted class (including Select level, 15-18, or 14 & Under) for AHA.  See section 1 competitions / Rule 3101;
  3. Are NOT eligible for a lower level placement or have advanced per IEA Rules 3205.1 (two years at one level), 3205.2 (pointed out), or 3205.4 (national finals).

IEA novice ranch riding eligibility excludes experience in speed/timed events, halter, showmanship, walk/trot, and 10 & Under.


W7406  Riders going off pattern (OP) will not be disqualified but will be considered OP (e.g. knocking over cone, wrong side of cone, never performing specified gait, or over/under turning more than 1/4 turn than designated).  OP riders must always place lower than those exhibitors on pattern.  Any rider being off pattern will receive a score of zero (0) and cannot place or receive points in that class.

Zone Split Guidelines

Please visit the Splits page for your Zone.