About The Team
The North Gwinnett Equestrian Team, established in 2007, is classified as an athletic club team at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia. The 2022-2023 team is comprised of 10 girls, although we are a co-ed team and are happy to welcome male riders. Being a part of the team is an opportunity to build new friendships with like-minded individuals, compete in five regular season shows, and get involved at North Gwinnett. Besides competition, which is through the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (See About IEA for more competition info), the team participates in events at our high school, including Beta Club's Trunk or Treat. Riders who do not go to North Gwinnett HS are welcome on our team so long as their school does not have a team of its own. Currently, we have two riders from Lanier High School on our team. Despite being considered an athletic club by the school, team members do still have an opportunity to earn a varsity letter. To letter, a rider must attend five shows, lesson the required amount per month, attend a minimum of 80% of team meetings and events, and abide by our code of conduct.
About IEA
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a non-profit organization committed to providing safe equestrian instruction and competition, was founded in 2002. Today, over 14,500 students around the country in grades 4-12 are members. The IEA hosts shows in three disciplines: hunt seat, western, and dressage, with classes for beginner to advanced riders. No IEA member needs to own a horse, due to the unique competition format of the IEA's shows. Currently, North Gwinnett is in hunt seat Zone 4, Region 1. Zone 4 encompasses Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. For more information on the IEA's mission, visit their website here.
IEA Competition Season
The unique aspect of IEA competitions is that riders do not ride their own horse. Instead, participating teams supply safe horses appropriate for the rider's level which are then chosen by random draw. Thus, riders will almost always be riding an unfamiliar horse. This equalizes competition and tests the rider's horsemanship. Because riders are on a horse they are unaccustomed to, they are not judged on the horse's performance, but on their equitation and horsemanship. In the event that a horse's performance interferes with the ability to judge the rider fairly, a re-ride on another horse may be given. Points are tracked for both individual riders and the entire team, so that individuals may qualify for post-season competition separately of the team. There are four class levels: Varsity Open Equitation, Varsity Intermediate Equitation, Junior Varsity Novice Equitation, and Junior Varsity Beginner Equitation, as well as a written horsemanship test open to all riders. Aside from Junior Varsity Beginner, which is flat only, all divisions consist of one over fences (jumping) class and one flat class.
About Our Coach
I never thought the day would come where I could say I have been doing IEA for over a decade - but here I am!
I started with IEA as an assistant coach in 2008. Believe it or not, I was part of the North Gwinnett Equestrian Team's inaugural season! I assisted with the NGHS Team for 2 years before they had to move on to another facility and coach. I continued on as an assistant for another team until I branched off on my own in 2010 and Break-Away Farm, LLC was created. I have successfully sent students to IEA regionals, zones and nationals. I have also taken many students to local schooling and GHJA shows where multiple year end awards have been won by my students and my amazing horses.
By good graces, the NGHS team came back to me in 2016, and here I am for my 7th year as the proud head coach for the NGHS Bulldogs.
I have an amazing husband, Sean, who is the backbone to my business. He and I have 2 amazing kids. Caleb is 12 and a 6th grader at Jefferson MS. The kid is nicknamed "Flash" because he doesn't sit still and he is fast! Cross country (running, not riding), football and golf are all his things. He does like to ride and will be on the Break-Away Farm MS team this season. Raelyn is my 7 year old 2nd grader at Jefferson Elementary. She has her own pony, Fisher, who you’ll see around the barn. She loves to ride her pony, cheer, dance and hang with the big girls. She'll be helping around this horse shows this season!
Hunter/jumper land has my heart, but equitation is what counts with IEA so that is what I instill in my IEA lessons. Each lesson entails something to focus on so that as we prepare for shows, my students can be ready for their rides. This season we will incorporate more flat work, conditioning and horsemanship as that matters more than just jumping around (IMO!).
My personal horses are Deeds, Ben and Finn. Chloe and Joey will also be seen in a few lessons and Toby may make an appearance at some IEA shows. I am currently looking for a new horse to add to the program!
My expectations this season are simple.
1. Come to lessons prepared to learn and with an open mind.
2. Treat my horses, equipment and each other with respect.
3. Help at horse shows.
4. Have fun!!
Looking forward to a great season!
I started with IEA as an assistant coach in 2008. Believe it or not, I was part of the North Gwinnett Equestrian Team's inaugural season! I assisted with the NGHS Team for 2 years before they had to move on to another facility and coach. I continued on as an assistant for another team until I branched off on my own in 2010 and Break-Away Farm, LLC was created. I have successfully sent students to IEA regionals, zones and nationals. I have also taken many students to local schooling and GHJA shows where multiple year end awards have been won by my students and my amazing horses.
By good graces, the NGHS team came back to me in 2016, and here I am for my 7th year as the proud head coach for the NGHS Bulldogs.
I have an amazing husband, Sean, who is the backbone to my business. He and I have 2 amazing kids. Caleb is 12 and a 6th grader at Jefferson MS. The kid is nicknamed "Flash" because he doesn't sit still and he is fast! Cross country (running, not riding), football and golf are all his things. He does like to ride and will be on the Break-Away Farm MS team this season. Raelyn is my 7 year old 2nd grader at Jefferson Elementary. She has her own pony, Fisher, who you’ll see around the barn. She loves to ride her pony, cheer, dance and hang with the big girls. She'll be helping around this horse shows this season!
Hunter/jumper land has my heart, but equitation is what counts with IEA so that is what I instill in my IEA lessons. Each lesson entails something to focus on so that as we prepare for shows, my students can be ready for their rides. This season we will incorporate more flat work, conditioning and horsemanship as that matters more than just jumping around (IMO!).
My personal horses are Deeds, Ben and Finn. Chloe and Joey will also be seen in a few lessons and Toby may make an appearance at some IEA shows. I am currently looking for a new horse to add to the program!
My expectations this season are simple.
1. Come to lessons prepared to learn and with an open mind.
2. Treat my horses, equipment and each other with respect.
3. Help at horse shows.
4. Have fun!!
Looking forward to a great season!
Race To 18
If a rider accumulates 18 or more points in a season they qualify to compete in Regionals.
If a team accumulates 20 or more points in a season, the team qualifies to compete in Regionals.
https://www.rideiea.org/hunt-seat/zone4/points/
If a team accumulates 20 or more points in a season, the team qualifies to compete in Regionals.
https://www.rideiea.org/hunt-seat/zone4/points/