Scottsdale Equestrian IEA Team

Memories of past teams...

Meet our Captains for the 2026-27 IEA Season!
Rylee England (Varsity Open) in charge of draw and ring, Gabby Speranzo (Varsity Intermediate) in charge of the Middle School Team and Kaylee McKinster in charge of the barn and horses.

Equitation often carries a reputation as a junior rider’s proving ground. But Geoff Teall makes a compelling case that every rider, regardless of age or discipline, can benefit from training like an equitation rider.

“Equitation riders learn more about lengthening and shortening, turning, lightening, and making their horses responsive than most riders in other disciplines,” he writes. Those skills stretch the rider, challenge the horse, and ultimately make both more capable in the long run.

At its core, equitation is about learning how to ride into and out of problems. “Since fine-tuning your equitation skills involves learning how to ride into and out of specific problems, you learn a lot about training,” Teall explains.

Instead of simply drilling a course, equitation work encourages riders to think critically. Each challenge becomes an opportunity to use position, balance, and timing to find the solution. By approaching mistakes as puzzles to solve, riders develop resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of feel.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/08/25/why-every-rider-should-train-like-an-equitation-rider/
📸 © Heather N. Photography

To all our Moms, we love you! Happy Mother's Day!

A huge THANK YOU to all of the folks who work so hard to make IEA National Finals so special for our riders. The amount of time spent planning and actually putting on this show is mind-boggling. Attention to detail is always superb.

Thank you to all of our generous horse providers for allowing their horses to attend: owners, trainers and coaches.

Thank you to the people who volunteer their valuable time. Without you, this show could never happen.

Thank you to the folks and businesses who donate awards. Scholarships from colleges abound during the show. Trophies from USHJA are so special.

Thank you to the IEA Youth Board who work so hard during the show to make sure all the awards are ready and presented beautifully.

Special thanks to Roxanne, Kathryn, Sue and Simon. You all are the rocks behind the scene who make the magic happen.

Scottsdale Equestrian Team salute all of you.

Copied from Melissa England:
That's a wrap! Our first trip to IEA Nationals! What a blast! So proud of Rylee and her team ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for the amazing coaching and for making it all possible Kathy Johnson. You're the best! And also a special thank you to Tamra Hope Marie- who laid a strong foundation with so many of these kids! And personally- super thrilled that darling Debi Duncan Crandall got to come support Rylee. ❤️❤️❤️

I am so very proud of this young team. They finished 9th at Nationals and the OLDEST rider is only a sophomore!!! Rylee, Gabby, Cora, Cooper and Kaylee... you all came with great attitudes and tried so hard! I couldn't have asked for more. You all stepped up to the plate on a very big stage and tried your hardest. 100%, here and now.... I could not ask for more. Love you guys!
Coach Kathy

Cooper is the National Champion: JV Novice Flat! Great ride! Cooper was also 8th in the Team Flat for JV Novice.

Fun at IEA Nationals!