Guest Blogger IEA Rider Sarah Bowman

Today we have a very special guest blogger.  Sarah Bowman is an IEA rider on the North Cobb Christian School IEA team.  

Please click on the link below to read Sarah's blog:

http://sarahbowmanhorses.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/iea-from-a-young-rider/


Thank you Sarah for sharing your blog with us today!

IEA coaches, if you have a student who in interested in being a guest blogger, please message me on facebook.

Amanda Garner is an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and Georgia Hunter Jumper Association (GHJA) steward, schooling show judge, head coach of the University of North Georgia IHSA Equestrian Team, and owner of Epiphany Farm, LLC in Dahlonega, Georgia. She is also a member of the IEA Board of Directors and the author of "A Parent's Guide to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association."

Great Idea for Keeping Track of Horses and Ensuring Each Horse Has a Holder at IEA Shows

I had the pleasure of stewarding the Windward Farm IEA shows down in Tampa, Florida this weekend.  I love stewarding outside of my home state of Georgia because I get to see how other teams run their shows and often learn new ways to help IEA shows run more smoothly. This weekend was no exception.

At the Windward Farms shows, all horse holders were wearing name tags on a lanyard around their neck.

The front side of the name tag had the horse's name:

The front of this name tag says the horse's name, Breezy.
Also, my apologies for this blurriness of the photo
(I promise it wasn't like that on my phone!)

The back side of the name tag listed all of the classes that the horse was in or was an alternate for:

This back of the name tag lists the classes the horse is entered in
as well as the classes he is the alternate for.

Name tag rules:
As long as a rider is wearing a particular horse's name tag, she is responsible for holding that horse in the holding area, leading him to the show ring, and picking him up from the show ring after his class. If the rider needs to give up control of the horse to get dressed for her class, take a restroom break, etc. she must find another person to take the name tag first.

This system ensures that:

• There won't be any horses who come out of the show ring with no handler to take them,
• The horse provider knows when a horse has a long break between classes and could potentially go back to his stall for a water and bathroom break, and 
• A horse won't be taken back to the barn area and un-tacked/put away before he's done for the day. 

What a great idea!

I think if I were to expand on this, I would consider putting the name of the team that provided the horse on the front side and the horse's crop and spur information on the back side.

Thank you again Windward Farm for having me as your steward!

Amanda Garner is an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and Georgia Hunter Jumper Association (GHJA) steward, schooling show judge, head coach of the University of North Georgia IHSA Equestrian Team, and owner of Epiphany Farm, LLC in Dahlonega, Georgia. She is also a member of the IEA Board of Directors and the author of "A Parent's Guide to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association."

If you enjoyed this blog post, please feel free to like and share on Facebook.
Thanks!  --Amanda

Splitting & Combining Classes--IEA Guidelines

As I'm sure you all have noticed, most IEA shows offer multiple sections of the same class (class 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, etc.). This is because the IEA has guidelines for class size and when classes should be split.

IEA classes can also be combined if there aren't enough entries to permit a stand alone class. This happens every now and then at some of the smaller shows.

Today's blog discusses the IEA's class split guidelines for larger shows and class combining guidelines for smaller shows.

As usual, our discussion will follow the rule book.  Quotes from the IEA rule book are in bold text.

A minimum of three (3) IEA Teams must compete in an official Regular IEA point show for team points to count towards qualifying for Regional, Zone and National Finals.

A high school show needs three high school teams.
A middle school show needs three middle school teams.
A combined high and middle school show needs three high school and three middle school teams.

In order for a show to count, a host must offer either (a) all classes in the Futures divisions and/or (b) all classes in the Varsity/Junior Varsity divisions as provided in these Rules.

A high school show must offer all high school classes (Varsity/Jr Varsity).
A middle school show must offer all middle school classes (Futures).
A high school and middle school combined show must offer all classes, high school and middle school (Varsity/Jr Varsity/Futures).

For example, a high school show could not only offer the 2'6" and 2' divisions and not offer cross rails and beginner.

In order for a class to count towards accumulated points, there must be a minimum of three (3) riders in each class. If there are less than three (3) riders in a class, the riders should be placed in another class of the same level. The class could also be run at discretion of the EHC* but points will not be counted. (*EHC = Event Host Coordinator, which is just another word for the host team)

This is where it gets a little tricky.  If there are less than three entries in a class, in order for those riders to receive points, the middle school class must be combined with its corresponding high school class, or vice versa.

Here is how the classes are combined if there are less than three riders in a class:

Hunt Seat:
Varsity Intermediate Fences 2' and Future Intermediate Fences 2'
Varsity Intermediate Flat and Future Intermediate Flat
Jr Varsity Novice Fences Crossrails and Future Novice Fences Crossrails
Jr Varsity Novice Flat and Future Novice Flat
Jr Varsity Beginner Flat and Future Beginner Flat

Western:
Varsity Intermediate Reining and Future Intermediate Reining
Varsity Intermediate Horsemanship and Future Intermediate Horsemanship
Jr Varsity Novice Horsemanship and Future Novice Horsemanship
Jr Varsity Beginner Horsemanship and Future Beginner Horsemanship

It is most often the middle school classes that don't have the minimum number of entries, and thus have to be combined with high school.

For example, a show may have seven entries in Varsity Intermediate Fences, but only two entries in Future Intermediate Fences, in which case the two classes would be combined into one class of nine riders; seven high school riders and two middle school riders competing together.

Each rider in the class receives individual points based on her placing, regardless of how the class is combined.  For example, a middle school rider competing in a combined high school/middle school class would receive points in her middle school division.

The same is true for point riders.  The middle school teams would receive points in the corresponding middle school class and the high school teams would receive points in the corresponding high school class.

Also, it is important to note, a show host can choose to run a class with only one or two riders, but that class would not count for individual or team points.  I've never had this happen at a show I've stewarded.

Hunt Seat flat classes and Western horsemanship classes classes MUST be split at twelve (12) riders.  Over Fences and Reining classes MAY be split at twelve (12) riders.

Classes that run as a group (flat and horsemanship) must be split at 12 riders.  Classes where riders compete individually (fences and reining) may be split at 12, but they don't have to be split at all no matter how many entries there are.  This decision is made by the EHC.

The EHC will run, award ribbons, and issue points separately for each of the split classes, as though the class was not split.

For example, if Varsity Intermediate Flat is split into two sections (section A and section B), each section will be awarded ribbons first through sixth place and riders who place first through sixth will get individual points for that placing.

However, each team only gets one point rider per class, regardless of how many splits the class has. For example, if Varsity Intermediate Flat class is split into two sections (section A and section B) each coach only gets one point rider for the entire Varsity Intermediate Flat class.  The point rider can be in the A or B section.

This means that you can have two teams who earn 7 team points in a class that has two sections.  For example, Hillmar Farm's point rider may win section A of Novice Flat and Oak Creek Farm's point rider may win section B of Novice Flat.  Both teams would be awarded 7 team points for Novice Flat. You could also have two teams withe 5 points, two with 4 points, etc.

The assignment of riders to each split class shall be equitable; however, no one section can have fewer than six (6) riders in it for points and awards to be given.

If a class is split, each section must contain at least six riders.  So a class of 12 could be split into two sections of six riders each: 6-6.

A class of 18 could be split into three sections: 6-6-6, or it could be split into two sections 9-9.

A class of 17 would be split 9-8.  It could not be split three ways into 6-6-5 because you must have at least 6 riders per split.

This comes into play on the morning of a show when you have a class of 12 riders split 6-6 and a coach informs you that one of her riders has the flu and is unable to compete, which brings the total number down to 11 riders, which can't be split because you would have one class with only 5 riders.

If this happens, any team competing in the show may place a new rider in the sick rider's spot to keep the class split.  If a replacement rider cannot be found, the class must run as one section with 11 riders.

A Question of Fairness
Some parents have asked why the IEA has these split/combine guidelines, particularly on days when a rider is ill and a class that is split 6-6 must be combined to an 11 rider class, or when a middle school class must be combined with a high school class.

In my opinion, the IEA has these guidelines to maintain a nationwide standard.  It would be unfair for a rider in Georgia to compete in a class that is split 6-5 while at a show in Maryland the class is held in one section of 11 riders.

Amanda Garner is an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and Georgia Hunter Jumper Association (GHJA) steward, schooling show judge, head coach of the University of North Georgia IHSA Equestrian Team, and owner of Epiphany Farm, LLC in Dahlonega, Georgia. She is also the author of "A Parent's Guide to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association."

If you enjoyed this post, please take a moment to like and share on Facebook.  

Thanks! -- Amanda

photo credit Autumn Vetter

Horse Showing in the Cold

For those of you who don't know, I'm a southern girl, born and raised in northern Georgia, and I don't like to be cold.  But, for us IEA or IHSA people, showing in cold weather is simply a fact of life.

I just got back from a super fun, but absolutely freezing weekend at a horse show with my IHSA team, so I decided that this week's blog would discuss tips for handling cold weather horse shows.

Unfortunately there is no miracle cure for dealing with the cold, sometimes you just have to tough it out, but here are a few tips that may make those cold horse shows a little more bearable.

• Dress in layers.  A pair of jeans and some cute shoes may suffice for walking back and forth to class on a school day, but if you're going to spend several hours outside at a horse show, you need to layer up. Most people have plenty of layers for their upper body, but they neglect to layer on their lower body.  My IHSA team has matching "snap-away" pants that they wear over their breeches that are easy to get on and off without removing their boots.  I have also seen IEA teams with matching fleece pants to wear over riding breeches.  I personally prefer coveralls that I can pull on or take off easily depending on how warm or cold I'm feeling.

• Wear a hat. Studies show that up to 30 percent of heat loss occurs through a person's head. A hat helps stop that heat loss.  You should also wear something over your ears, like a fleece head band, beanie, or ear muffs.

• Invest in a good pair of winter boots. You will, of course, wear your riding boots when you show, but the rest of the time you should wear shoes or boots along with thick, quality socks (like wool) that protect your feet from the cold.  I find that if I can keep my feet and my head warm, the rest of my body will be okay. If you're ever at a show where I'm stewarding, ask me to show you my shoes. They're actually snow boots.  Students tell me all the time that their feet are cold and they can't feel their toes, but my feet have never been cold in my boots. Here's the link if anyone is interested: Columbia Women's Bugaboot Plus II Omni Heat.

• Wear gloves.  Just like your head and your feet, you lose body heat through your hands. Mittens actually keep your hands warmer than gloves, but it can be hard to maneuver around horses with mittens.  I have a pair of "glittens," fingerless gloves with a mitten flip top that I use when I'm stewarding so I can use my fingers to write.

• Don't underestimate the warmth of the sun.  If the show is in a covered arena, step out into the sun every now and then to warm up.  At these shows you may want to volunteer to hold a horse just so you can stand in the sun, lol

• Stay hydrated.  Your body needs water in the winter, just like it does in the summer. The problem is, when you're cold, you might not notice that you need to drink. Make a point to drink water or sports beverages (like gatorade or powerade) throughout the show day.

• Eat something!  I know many riders feel that they can't eat before they show due to nerves, but your body needs nourishment to keep you warm.  Try to eat plenty of protein and stay away from sugary snacks like candy and donuts. Warm beverages like hot chocolate can help warm you up from the inside out.

• Have a designated warm space for your team.  Many teams bring tents with side walls to block the wind, lots of blankets, and even portable electric or propane heaters.  Spend time in your team's warm space every so often to warm yourself up (without neglecting your team mates or your responsibilities of course).

• Warm up before you ride.  Take a few moments before you mount up to get warm in your team's designated warm space.  If you don't have a team warm space, you can go to another heated area like a bathroom, or even sit in the car for a few minutes. If none of these options is available, you can move around a bit or even jump up and down to loosen up your arms and legs and get the circulation flowing. 

• Keep your coat on as long as possible. There is no rule against keeping your winter coat on while you are mounted in the horse holding area waiting to go into your flat class or even when jumping your two schooling fences before entering the show ring.  Keep your layers on as long as you can.

UNG rider Mary Rogers wearing her
coat in the holding area while waiting to
go in for her flat class
photo credit:  Amanda Garner

• Make use of your horse's clothing.  While the horse you're holding goes into the show ring, feel free to wrap up in his blanket or cooler, he won't mind :-)

UNG riders Autumn Vetter, Anika Cook, and
Chrissy Crockett all bundled up in Casino's blanket
photo credit:  Amanda Garner

• Keep an eye on yourself and your teammates.  If you don't feel well or notice that a teammate is acting like she may be suffering from cold-related illness, don't hesitate to tell a show official or other adult.  All IEA and IHSA shows have medical personnel on-site that can assist with temperature-related issues or illnesses.

Other than moving to Wellington for the winter (we can all dream, right?), there is no miracle cure to being cold.  Your best defense is to be properly prepared, have the clothing you need, and keep yourself fed and hydrated.  Happy horse showing!

Amanda Garner is an Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), and Georgia Hunter Jumper Association (GHJA) steward, schooling show judge, head coach of the University of North Georgia IHSA Equestrian Team, and owner of Epiphany Farm, LLC in Dahlonega, Georgia. She is also the author of "A Parent's Guide to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association."

If you enjoyed this post, please take a moment to like and share on Facebook.  

Thanks! -- Amanda