MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award Program

2026 - 2027 MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award Application Process
Recognition
During the IEA show season, each IEA horse show at the local, Region and Zone level is encouraged to select an IEA rider member who stood out for their outstanding Sportsmanship. These Sportsmanship Award winners must be active IEA rider members or Junior Education Members (JEMS) in grades 4-12.

Each winner will receive a commemorative IEA Sportsmanship Award patch and an invitation to participate in the annual MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award Program. Winners will be listed on the IEA website through June 30th of each year and then archived.

Award Program
All winners (Futures & Upper School) of an MZ Farms IEA Sportsmanship Award throughout the IEA show season will be invited to apply for an opportunity to win the end of the year MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Award.

Application Process
Winners are encouraged to apply early. (Once you have received a regular or post-season Sportsmanship Award, you can submit your application.)

The deadline for completed applications is FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2027.
Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted.

A complete application will include the following:
- A completed online application form.
- A brief written essay (no more than 200 words) about what sportsmanship means to the individual and to the sport of equestrian in general.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (one from an equine professional, one from a teacher or school advisor and one is an adult of the applicant’s choice.
- Brief synopsis of communicty and academic activities including, but not limited to, leadership positions, volunteer organizations, community service and any associated honors or awards.
- A brief video (no longer than 90 seconds) on why the individual is a member of the IEA. The individual can include favorite aspects of being an IEA member in addition to lessons learned along the way. This video may be used in IEA social media posts.
- An official school transcript, GPA Summary, or Report Card that demonstrates a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
- All of these documents will be able to be uploaded as individual PDFs or video files within the online application form below.
Judging
A panel of judges will be chosen by MZ Farms and the IEA to review all applications and will take the following into consideration:
- Completed application
- Essay on sportsmanship and video submission
- Letters of recommendation
- Community and academic involvement
- School transcripts/GPA Summary/Grade Card
Awards and Recognition

Participants will be judged based upon their appropriate age group (Upper School or Futures).

Upper School
- Ribbons will be awarded for participants placing 1st through 8th place.
- 1st Place Winner will receive an engraved trophy.
- Scholarship money will be awarded as follows:
  - 1st Place – $1,000
  - 2nd Place – $500
  - 3rd Place – $250
- Placings and recognition will be made on all IEA social media channels, IEA newsletter, in a press release and on the IEA website.
Futures
- Ribbons will be awarded for participants placing 1st through 8th place.
- 1st Place Winner will receive an engraved trophy.
- Scholarship money will be awarded as follows:
  - 1st Place – $250
  - 2nd Place – $150
  - 3rd Place – $75
- Placings and recognition will be made on all IEA social media channels, IEA newsletter, in a press release and on the IEA website.
MZ Farms IEA National Sportsmanship Outstanding Essay Contest
A panel of judges will evaluate all the essays submitted with completed applications and choose the best essay to receive additional recognition and a cash award of $250.
Please fill out the following form IN FULL WITH REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS before hitting the submit button. You can save your work and come back to it.

Questions about this application can be e-mailed to info@rideiea.org.

The deadline for completed applications is FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2027.
IEA Rider/Member Name

First NameLast Name
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Email Address (Parent or Rider - Must be valid and checked regularly.)
example@example.com
Primary Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Is this a PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN or RIDER Phone Number?
TEAM NAME
IEA Member Number, if you know it. (7-digit # found by logging into AccessIEA at www.rideiea.org)
On my team, I participate in the following IEA discipline(s):
What is your HOME Zone? (Crossover Riders choose one.)
I am in the following grade this school year:
How many years (seasons) have you been a member of IEA?
At what horse show did you win your 2026-2027 Season Sportsmanship Award?
Can't remember? You can find a list of 2026-2027 Sportsmanship Award winners HERE.
What was the date of that horse show?

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
Please upload the following attachments:

(Please check your work thoroughly before uploading. PDF files work best. Only click submit when you have completed all the required uploads.)
A brief WRITTEN ESSAY (no more than 200 words) about what sportsmanship means to you and to the sport of equestrian in general.

Written Essay
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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION #1 - Equine Professional

Letter of Recommendation - EQUINE PROFESSIONAL
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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION #2 - Teacher or School Advisor

Letter of Recommendation - TEACHER/SCHOOL ADVISOR
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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION #3 - Adult of Applicants Choice

Letter of Recommendation - OTHER ADULT
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BRIEF SYNOPSIS of community and academic activities including, but not limited to, leadership positions, volunteer organizations, community service and any associated honors or awards. Can be in a resume-style format or simple listing. Please limit to no more than two pages - one is ideal.

Synopsis of Achievements
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A BRIEF VIDEO (no longer than 90 seconds) on why you are a member of the IEA. You can include favorite aspects of being an IEA member in addition to lessons learned along the way. This video may be used in IEA social media posts. Videos may be shot in vertical or horizontal format on a phone or camera. Please do not include music or other background audio effects in your video. A simple waist/shoulders up video with clear sound is all that is required.

Video submission may not exceed 100MB in size.
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SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT, PROOF/SUMMARY OF GPA, or LATEST REPORT CARD that demonstrates a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

If official transcripts are not available, please provide a photo or PDF of your most recent grades or GPA summary.
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APPLICANT PHOTO - Can be a school photo, senior portrait, photo with a horse with or without helmet/hat. Photo should be high resolution and show clear image of applicant's face. Photos may be used for awards announcements.

Applicant Photo
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Congratulations!

MZ Farms and IEA appreciate your committment to sportsmanship, grace, integrity and kindness. Your respect for other IEA participants and your equine partners is what builds a strong IEA community.

By submitting this application, you agree that all details, answers, and documents provided are accurate and complete to the best of your knowledge and that you accept the rules of the submission process.
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