WHO Is A Memphis IEA Youth Equestrian?

Reflecting on what makes the Memphis IEA (a Midsouth area IEA area team) unique, it's the type of kids we target and their families. We want ALL youth to have an opportunity to ride and show horses NOT just the one's who's families can afford it (pay the big membership fees, the upfront lesson packages, purchase the team attire required so that we all look the same and market the image we want the public to see us as). We are okay with being different. We are a melting pot and diverse and we're flexible. We make room for individuality so that we all have room to learn and grow and ride from our members uniqueness and different life experiences that each member brings to our arena. Our team is a collaboration- there is no "I" in "Team." Here is our most important requirements for a member of Memphis IEA/ Memphis Youth / MYET ( a Midsouth area IEA team): 

• Must love horses and put their welfare first! Horses are not machines. They are not to be over-worked, ridden to exhaustion to meet our needs, drugged to enhance performance for our competitive desires! Horses here, will be put first along with their welfare. Our horses will NOT be overworked in lessons, practices, shows, or events. You will NOT see students riding the same horse multiple times a day over fences for our profit. Our lesson horses will have their own stall. They will appear in good condition, and be treated with the respect and love that they deserve. We will NOT compete a horse that seems "off" physically or emotionally. Our horses will have a sparkle in their eye and a personality. They will NOT appear dull, disinterested, or burned out. They will not have that distant look in their eye displaying a disconnect with humans. They know when we view them as a machine vs an emotional creature! You know too, when you see a burned out lesson horse who is not enjoying life or their job but complies out of necessity- but who's heart is not in it!
• We will work hard in the barn and at shows We are not a fit for kids who aren't willing to demonstrate a work ethic or who have a poor attitude. If you are on our team, be ready and willing to pitch in and help. Don't disappear after you ride and leave work unattended to with your horse. Don't avoid your coach or another adult who has made a request of you to get out of work. If you do not do something asked of you,  your coach will reach out. Answer the call. Answer the text. Be prepared to be called out on avoidance behavior. Parent's- this is how we roll on this team. We have no stars, we have a team. Each member is expected to pull their weight. Excuses are not for us. So, if you allow your child to make excuses for not following through, know that is not tolerated here. Riding horses is a privilege and our approach is to teach youth how to appreciate that.
•  We will demonstrate good sportsmanship always and cheer for our friends and congratulate them. We will not come out of the ring in tears of frustration demonstrating poor sportsmanship because we had a difficult ride. We will be grateful for the experience and understand that winners are those that keep rolling forward with a smile, a thank you, a pet for our pony, and a grateful heart that we have this blessed opportunity to experience the magic of horses and their wisdom.
  
  ​The Memphis IEA team are worker kids. Who have kind hearts, and big futures. Who NEVER bully or belittle. Who are MORE THAN FIRST PLACE- even though we are more than capable of that ribbon. We are more importantly CHAMPION EQUESTRIANS AT HEART and role models for others in terms of good sportsmanship and horsemanship. If you put competition, (beating your team-mates), first place, and points first- PARENTS AND KIDS- we are NOT the best team for you. If you put good values and horsemanship FIRST- reach out. We can offer you an experience you will value and benefit from life-long!

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