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Rapid Growth of IEA Dressage Program Results in Demographic Move from Regions to Zones for the 2023-2024 Season

Due to the rapid growth in membership of the IEA Dressage Program, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Board of Directors recently approved the IEA Dressage Committee’s recommendations to expand the demographic areas of teams into six Zones beginning with the 2023-2024 season. Previously divided into 11 Regions, the newly organized Zone structure allows Regions to grow within each Zone and mimics the way the IEA Hunt Seat Program has expanded over the years.

“This is an exciting step in the evolution of the IEA Dressage program,” says IEA Dressage Administrator, Emily David. “We have seen several regions of the United States double in size over a few years, so this was the obvious next step. It allows for planned growth in the areas we have established teams as well as combining regions for new Zone Finals beginning this season.”

IEA Dressage is still a relatively new discipline for the IEA – only in its 4th official year. Previous to it becoming an official program, the IEA developed a 3-year pilot program for Dressage - building up interest and membership before making it a permanent part of the organization. This 3-year Pilot Program model has proven to work in other areas of growth for IEA – including the addition of 4th and 5th graders a few years ago and now with the new Adult Pilot Program.

IEA Membership will open on June 1st with shows starting August 1st and running through late April. IEA Dressage National Finals will be held in conjunction with IEA Hunt Seat National Finals at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA in April 2024.