Diehl Me In, a performance horse barn in Callicoon, sent a five-rider team to represent the region at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals, held at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Riders Mia Powell, Riley Eggleton, Abbie Haff, Lilly Bressler, and Kylie Houghtailing brought home 10 awards, demonstrating exceptional performance against the best young equestrians in the country. 

In addition to placing in eight events, the team placed 8th overall and was also honored with the Team Spirit Award, celebrating their sportsmanship, enthusiasm, and standout presence at the national event.

Co-founder Myron Leff, who personally distributes ribbons to each event winner at Nationals, praised this year’s competitors. 

“We’re proud to see so many talented riders this year,” he said, reflecting on the strength and sportsmanship of the riders from nearly all 50 states.

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), founded in 2002, was created to make equestrian competition more accessible to students in grades 4 through 12. Today, the organization includes nearly 15,000 members and hosts around 1,000 shows each year.

“We started the IEA to prepare young riders for college programs, which use a draw-based format that many students found intimidating,” said Executive Director and co-founder Roxane Durant, “It allows students to get used to riding unfamiliar horses, which builds real horsemanship and adaptability.”

In IEA shows, riders are randomly assigned horses and compete without warm-ups—emphasizing skill, composure, and readiness over equipment or ownership. The format also lowers financial barriers and encourages a broader range of students to participate.

The IEA offers Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage disciplines and emphasizes not just competition, but also sportsmanship and team spirit at events like the National Finals.

Diehl Me In was one of two riding teams from New York to compete at this year’s National Finals, and their strong showing began on Day 1 with the APHA Youth Horse Judging Competition – Under 13 Limited Team Division. Eggleton, Powell, and Haff participated by evaluating fellow competitors and presenting their reasoning to professional judges. Eggleton earned first place overall individually, and the Diehl Me In team placed first as a group, topping the limited team division.

Eggleton also placed 6th in the Showmanship class, and Houghtailing earned 7th place in Future Beginner Horsemanship Walk/Jog. 

Eggleton says the lead up to these events can be nerve wracking, especially when riding a horse she’s never met before.

 “I was slightly nervous about how quickly I would figure out my horses,” she said, “but then I reminded myself of what I can control: my pattern, my mindset, and equitation.” 

On Day 2, Eggleton competed in Future Novice Horsemanship, placing 8th, while Haff entered the Future Intermediate Reining class.

Day 3 brought additional success: Haff returned to Future Intermediate Reining, this time placing 8th, and Eggleton competed in Future Novice Ranch Riding as well as Future Novice Horsemanship, earning a 4th place finish in the latter. Powell also placed 4th in Future Intermediate Horsemanship, and Bressler competed in Future Beginner Horsemanship. 

Powell said she was satisfied with her performance and is already thinking about how to improve. 

“I think I need to work on [riding] straighter,” she said, looking ahead to next season.