DECATUR — Legends Equestrian Center in Decatur held its second Interscholastic EquestrianAssociation Zone 7 horse show on Dec. 2.
While most high school athletes compete at sports such as basketball, soccer and track, IEA allows middle and high schoolstudents to compete individually or in teams at equestrian sports.
Four teams from Arkansas, Missouri and Texas participated in the Decatur show last week. IEA Zone 7includes Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.
The teams competed in hunt seat classes, both over fences and on the flat (meaning not over jumps).
Heather Swope, Zone 7 chairman and owner of Legends Equestrian Center, explained that, at IEA shows, riders draw for the horse they will ride in each event. Horses are generally provided by the hosting team, although other teams will bring a few horses to help out if needed, she said.
Riding an unfamiliar horse can present challenges for horse and rider, but also gives riders an opportunity to show their skills. It also gives students a chance to show and compete without having to own their own horse and tack, Swope said.
“A kid can qualify andride at nationals without ever owning a horse,” she said.
Teams can represent private or public schools, or can be formed by a club or riding stable. For example, Decatur’s Ozark Legends team includes students from the Bentonville and Fayetteville area and as far away as Tulsa, Okla.
In contrast, the Oak Ridge team that competed in Sunday’s horse show represents a private school in Arlington, Texas.
The Dec. 2 show actually included two shows in one day, so riders had more chances to score points. The teams used 20 horses provided by Legends Equestrian Center and by the Heritage Livestock team from Mt. Vernon, Mo.
The IEA is in its eleventh year, with over 6,500 members forming 400 teams. The IEA has had a strongerpresence on the east coast, but it’s growing rapidly in this region. Last year the Legends Equestrian Center hosted the first Zone 7 show. This year there will be nine Zone 7 shows.
The Ozark Legends Team, based in Decatur, is still the only interscholastic team in Arkansas. As the team grows, Swope said she would like to see it divided so students who attend the Bentonville School District can become a school club. The club wouldn’t cost the school district anything and would allow the riders to represent their school in competitions, she explained.
More information about IEA is available online at www.rideiea.org and on Facebook under the IEA Zone 7 page. Information about Legends Equestrian Center is available at www.legendseq.com
Sports, Pages 9 on 12/12/2012