SKANEATELES — April 22 to 25 was an exciting time for the members of the Affinity Farm IEA Team as they put their equestrian skills to the test against the finest competitors in the country at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Hunt Seat National Finals.

Held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia, the Skaneateles team finished ninth.

The team is based at Affinity Farm at 1950 Coon Hill Road in Skaneateles and owned by Kim and Bill Allan.

Kim, along with Sara Norman, serves as a coach for the team.

Leah Vandenburg, Kelsey Jedra, Hannah Fichter, Kendall Eaton and Landon Kepple made the trip to Georgia.

After 2020, when so many events were canceled, this opportunity to compete in Georgia offered an exciting opportunity.

“All the riders were super excited,” Norman said. “All postseason shows last year were canceled, so it felt like a great comeback. It is definitely a privilege to be one of the 18 out of 1,500 teams that shows at nationals.”

According to Norman and Allan, this is a unique style of equestrian competition for a number of reasons.

Allan said the Affinity Farm team competes in the discipline of huntseat equitation.

Riders compete within their skill level from beginner walk/trot classes to classes jumping 2’6” fences.

The unique aspect of IEA competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack, according to Norman and Allan.

Instead, the host team arranges for the horses and equipment.

Since the horse is new to the rider, the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation. All disciplines offer a variety of ability levels from beginner through advanced. The Interscholastic Equestrian Association is for student equestrians in grades four through 12.

The IEA has over 14,500 members in 46 states across North America.

While COVID derailed event in the 2020 season, competitions were back this year, but like so many other things, there were changes.

Norman said all shows were different this year than in previous seasons.

“Rider were not allowed to arrive at the show early and watch the horses school as normal,” Norman said. “They had to arrive just prior to their ride and then leave immediately after. Riders had to be masked any time they were not on a horse and only one spectator per rider was allowed to watch.”

Earning a chance to compete at the national level takes a lot of work and discipline.

As Norman explained only 18 out of 1,500 teams get to show at the nationals.

Norman said each team has to earn enough qualifying point to earn a place in the regional finals during the regular season.

The top team at the regional finals moves on to the zone finals.

Norman said the zone finals were held in Newburgh, NY April 1-3.

From there the top two teams move on to national finals.

The Affinity Farm team learned at the zone finals that they would be headed to nationals and they had a relatively short period of time to make sure they were as prepared as possible.

“We had two and a half weeks to prepare and make travel arrangements to Georgia for five riders, coaches and parents,” Norman said. “Luckily training prior to the show was not altered too much as we have been able to ride most of the time during the COVID pandemic.”

And of course as much time as possible was dedicated to time on the saddle, working with horses.

“They ride as much as they can and as many different horses as possible,” Norman said. “Rider experience varies since there are multiple divisions available for different rider levels from walk, trot, canter, to open fences.”

The members of the team and their coaches came back home proud of what they accomplished this season and especially proud of their performance at the national competition, which marked the end of the current season.

Norman said there is not much down time though as tryouts will start in June or July and the IEA show season is planned to begin in August.

Submitted photos

The Affinity Farm team based at Affinity Farm on Coon Hill Road in Skaneateles finished ninth at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Hunt Seat National Finals.