RIDE FOR RAYAS GRANT
Thanks to a generous donation from the Family of Rayas Angelina Niccolini Greenlee the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is proud to offer the Ride for Rayas Grant.
Rayas is a deeply dedicated and gifted Hunt Seat rider whose discipline, empathy, and leadership in the saddle have long reflected the very best of the sport. In 2025, Rayas’s life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with an extraordinarily rare and aggressive pediatric brain cancer. Throughout her treatment and recovery, horses—and riding—have remained a profound source of strength, motivation, and healing.
Created in Rayas’s honor, this grant is designed to expand access to IEA competition for Hunt Seat riders in New York (IEA Zone 2). The Ride for Rayas Grant will be awarded to one or two applicants per year to support riders whose passion, perseverance, and commitment mirror the spirit Rayas brings to the sport she loves.
The Ride for Rayas Grant will cover the following expenses to support a Full Season of IEA Competition (Regular & Post Season):
IEA Membership Fees
- Youth Rider Membership ($70)
- Junior Education Membership (JEM – non-riding / National Hippology Academy) ($35)
Regular Season Competition
- Regular season lessons and team practices (up to $2,110)
- Travel stipend for regular season lessons and team practices (up to $665)
- Entry fees for two classes per show for five shows (up to $550)
- Coaching stipend (up to $50 per show, $250 max)
- Travel stipend for five regular season shows ($375 total)
Post-Season Competition for Individual and Team Classes (if applicable)
- Post season lessons and team practices (up to $1,690)
- Travel stipend for post season lessons and team practices (up to $535)
- Coaching stipend (up to $50 per show, $150 max)
- Entry fees for Regional, Zone, and National Finals (up to $840)
- Travel stipends:
- Regional Finals: $100
- Zone Finals: $150
- National Finals: $2,000
Additional Support
- Clothing allowance gift card ($700)
Maximum grant award per applicant: $10,220
Application Deadline & Requirements
DEADLINE: AUGUST 15, 2026
To be considered for the Ride for Rayas Grant, applicants must:
1. Complete the Ride for Rayas Grant Application Form.
2. Submit a 90-second video.
Youth applicants are invited to share their goals and dreams, how this grant would help them move forward, and the challenges or barriers they are navigating along the way.
We encourage applicants to speak openly about their lived experiences, personal journeys, and the support they need to access opportunity, pursue their passions, and create the future they envision.
Videos may be recorded on a phone and should have clear audio and video quality. A link to the video must be included in the application form. We recommend uploading your video to Vimeo, YouTube, or Google Drive to create a shareable link. Links from social media platforms will not be accepted. Please ensure video permissions allow IEA staff to view.
For questions, contact Kathryn Dando at (877) 743-3432 or email finaid@rideiea.org.
If you are a current IEA Member in good standing and also wish to be considered for the IEA Benevolent Fund Financial Assisance Program, please apply via the applicable online application forms (coach portion plus parent portion) here:
IEA Finacial Assistance Application – To Be Completed by Sponsoring Coach
IEA Financial Assistance Application – To Be Completed by Parent or Guardian