Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

IEA Teams

Main content start

The Stanford Red Barn is proud to host two Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Teams, Red Barn and Woodside, each with a Middle School and High School team. All teams practice at the Red Barn and are a great stepping stone for young riders who aspire to one day be a part of a collegiate team.

Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Teams

The Red Barn and Woodside IEA Hunt Seat Teams are composed of riders in Grades 4 through 12 from high schools and middle schools from throughout the Bay Area. The Teams compete at shows locally, with the goal to compete at the Regional, Zone, and National level each season.

The IEA is based on a system of “catch riding” where athletes compete on horses they are riding for the first time with no to minimal practice beforehand. This ensures a level playing field where each rider is being judged on how they ride the horse they are on, with credit given for those who demonstrate good equitation and solid horsemanship. Riders compete as individuals as well as with their team. To tryout, riders must be able to ride in a group at the walk, trot, and canter in a group lesson. Previous competition experience is not required, as IEA levels are correlated to USEF showing experience. Riders must also be able to groom, tack-up and properly care for their assigned horse before and after lessons.

Our two IEA teams, Red Barn and Woodside, compete against other scholastic teams from throughout California, Nevada, and Hawaii. Both teams carry forward a strong legacy including multiple Overall Zone Championships, Regional Overall Championships, and a 2021 National Championship title, won by the Red Barn Middle School Team. The 2022-2023 season marks the 4th consecutive year of the Red Barn and Woodside Teams participation at the National Finals, with the Woodside Middle School team and individuals moving forward to compete.

For more information on the IEA please visit: rideiea.org.

To tryout for the Red Barn and Woodside IEA Teams, riders must be able to handle their horse on the ground, groom and tack-up/down on their own, and be able to ride English at the walk/trot/canter in a group setting. Experience jumping or competing is not required. Tryouts are held in May for our off-season Summer IEA program and in the fall for our regular season competitive IEA teams.  


Contact Katie Steiner Garcia for more information:
steinerk@stanford.edu 

IEA Coaching Staff

  • Katie Steiner Garcia, IEA Head Coach 
  • Tina Davey, IEA Coach and Program Director 
  • Claire Michel, IEA Coach
  • Abby Thurm, IEA Coach
  • Julie Mandle, IEA Coach