Equestrian Team | Chicago, IL

Hello, Double J Riding Club is excited to announce the impending kick off to the 2025-2026 Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) training and competition year! IEA is a wonderful organization open to riders from 4th-12th grade as well as Adults from ages 21 and up.

We will hold signups and an introductory meeting on February 26th at 5:30 pm over Zoom. Lessons begin in March. Horse shows begin in the Fall and run through February. Regionals, Zones and Nationals, if you qualify, are the following Spring.

We will be putting together a team to compete in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA). Founded in 2002, the Interscholastic Equestrian Association includes more than 12,000 middle and high school student riders across the United States. To participate in IEA, there is no need to own or share-board a horse. The IEA provides a mount and tack to each participant at every event. IEA riders compete in Hunt Seat classes in unfamiliar tack on unfamiliar mounts. On show days, each rider draws a horse and enters the show arena with little or no opportunity to familiarize themselves with their horse. This format equalizes competition variables and tests the horsemanship of the contestants and provides horse-showing opportunities to a wide range of individuals. Beginning in September of each year, individuals and teams compete in multiple competitions during the regular school season. Earning points during the season allows them to qualify for Regional and Zone finals. Points are tracked for individual and rider accomplishments and for overall team accomplishments. The unique team aspect of the IEA provides riders and barns the opportunity to work together as a team, and build lasting friendships.

Even though IEA registration will not begin until July of 2025, we are forming our team now in order to prepare for fall competitions.

Here is why YOU should join the IEA team:

We offer 3 IEA specific team riding lessons per week to choose from
An All Day Summer IEA Horse Camp Clinic with Teammates
Fun IEA Fundraising Events, Field Trips, Clinics, Banquets, and Team Parties
Double J coaches attend 10-16 IEA shows per season giving our riders a good selection of dates to choose their 5 shows from
With over 50 school horses, Double J provides riders a wide variety of horses to practice on
You get the opportunity to compete against other riders at various horse shows without having to share board or own a horse
As a team, and individually, we get the chance to qualify for Regional, Zone and National IEA shows
You have two instructors, Haley Johnson and Kathy Jachymczyk who each bring their own years of experience and training techniques
Riding an unfamiliar horse at shows, increases your riding and horsemanship skills
This is a preparatory stepping stone for University Intercollegiate Teams.
You will develop team building and sportsmanship skills
Our large team allows riders a wonderful chance to make lifelong friends
You will improve your equitation on horseback through practice and horse shows
This year we will be beginning to offer riders our pilot dressage team

Interscholastic Equestrian Team

Have Questions?

Here is why YOU should join the IEA team:

Register now – classes begin Mid March!