In 2007, Caustelot Farms joined the Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Inc. ("IEA"). IEA was formed and organized to promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction available to middle and secondary school students. This organization is run similarly to the IHSA. The riders attend horse shows and ride a randomly drawn horse that they may know nothing about. The riders are judged on the quality of their riding skills on an unfamiliar mount either over fences or on the flat. Classes are judged just like at a normal horse show, however, in the IEA places also count for both individual and team points. Riders and teams work to accumulate enough points in the show season in order to qualify for zone finals, held each March. Riders are able to qualify either as part of the team or as an individual. A first or second place at zones qualifies the rider for nationals in April.
During the season members are required to ride in at least one team practice per week at Caustelot Farms, but we strongly encourage you to take a private lesson in addition to the team practice. The team practice allows the riders to ride a variety of horses and to gain experience riding in a crowded arena, similar to a horse show. Private lessons give riders more one on one attention and a chance to learn skills that cannot be taught in a group setting. Caustelot Farms Equestrian team is coached by Kathy Marciak, a graduate of Meredith Manor Equestrian Centre. Caustelot Farms competes with a middle school and high school team. IEA is open to anyone who is in grades sixth through twelfth.
