Columbus, Ohio – The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) annually awards a student rider the National Sportsmanship Award. Proudly sponsored by EQUUS Foundation, this year’s award is presented to Emma Elizabeth Bayer, a Senior from Powder Springs, Georgia who rides on the Big Leaps Equestrian Team.
The national award winner is selected from a group of riders who earned a Sportsmanship Award at a local, regional or zone IEA show during the 2023-2024 season. These winners were then invited to submit an application for the National Sportsmanship Award. As part of the application process, student riders submitted a photo, resume, school transcripts, composed a 250-word essay explaining how horses and/or equestrian competition have influenced his/her life and letters of recommendation. A panel of judges evaluated each application and determined the results based on a scoring rubric.
“Horses have helped me realize the importance of emotional intelligence, especially when facing adversity,” says Bayer. “Rather than getting caught up in the highs of excitement or the lows of frustration, horses have taught me to take time to process my emotions, remain humble, remember that everyone has an opinion and that not all opinions hold weight.”
An Honor Student with a 4.167 GPA, Bayer is a 7-year IEA member riding on the Big Leaps Equestrian Team out of Smyrna, Georgia and coached by Molly Snyder. In addition to the 2024 IEA National Sportsmanship Award, Bayer has also been recognized at the national level as a Leo Conroy Grant Recipient (National Horse Show), a three-time Regional Georgia Positive Athlete, and a three-time IEA National Sportsmanship Award finalist. She has also excelled at the local, regional, zone and national level for the IEA Horsemanship Knowledge Testing Program.
Outside of her IEA experience, Bayer has an extensive 9-year resume of 4-H involvement with numerous equine and agricultural related awards and leadership involvement. She is an avid volunteer with a number of rescue organizations and humane societies as well as several local barns. Bayer holds membership with United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA), Georgia Hunter Jumper Association, and Girl Scouts. Her post high-school plans include college with a study in Animal Science Agribusiness and Agricultural Engineering.
“When I worked as a barn manager for a 50-horse barn, Emma started volunteering with me to learn all she could,” states IEA coach, Molly Snyder. “She has since applied that knowledge and skills to helping her family design their barn, pastures and horse care. She has developed and now manages 3 horses where she has learned how to rehab a horse, care for numerous health conditions, balance nutrition, maintain pastures and manage every aspect of keeping horses healthy, safe and in top performance condition. She is never afraid to reach out for help and regularly seeks my advice on her care approaches.”
As the overall winner AND highest placing Senior, Bayer will receive a $1,000 cash scholarship from the IEA as part of the EQUUS Foundation sponsorship, a lifetime membership to the IEA and a nomination by the IEA to affiliates’ sportsmanship award programs.
“Good sportsmanship is a tenant in the IEA and this award is held to high regard. Choosing the National Sportsman from the pool of amazing candidates is always a difficult decision every year,” commented Roxane Durant, IEA Founder and Executive Director. “Emma’s impressively long resume of volunteer service, community activities and awards, academic excellence and clear commitment to horse welfare made her a stand-out candidate this year.”
“From the moment I met her, I witnessed her unimpeachable character and her calm demeanor,” says Cobb Horizon High School Counselor, Gregory Moncrief. “She continues to amaze me with her ongoing maturity and growth into a young adult. Students who give so much of their time to various sports and activities usually suffer in the classroom, but Emma continues to shine at the top of her class.”
Approximately 800 IEA riders were eligible for the 2024 National Sportsmanship Award. Among the 32 finalist applicants, the top 8 winners are:
1st PLACE – EMMA BAYER – $1,000 WINNER
◆ A Senior riding for Big Leaps Equestrian Team (Hunt Seat – Zone 4)
◆ Smyrna, Georgia
2nd PLACE – SAMANTHA WILLIS
◆ A Senior riding for Great Strides IEA Team (Hunt Seat – Zone 3)
◆ Apex, North Carolina
3rd PLACE – PEYTON CARR
◆ A Junior riding for Salado Elite Riders (Hunt Seat – Zone 7) and Lone Star Equestrians (Western – Region 7)
◆ Bertram, Texas
4th PLACE – SADIE SWIFT
◆ A Junior riding for A Moment in Time (Hunt Seat – Zone 3)
◆ Lexington Park, MD
5th PLACE – ESTELLA SMITH
◆ A Senior riding for Scottsdale Equestrian Team (Hunt Seat – Zone 8 and Dressage – Zone 5)
◆ Corrales, New Mexico
6th PLACE – CAMILLE PANUWAT
◆ A Junior riding for Hayes Training (Hunt Seat – Zone 10)
◆ Walnut Creek, California
7th PLACE – KATHLEEN STRATMAN
◆ A Sophomore riding for Great Parks Equestrian Team (Hunt Seat – Zone 5)
◆ West Chester, Ohio
8th PLACE – EMMA BALDWIN
◆ A Senior riding for Powerhouse Dressage (Dressage – Zone 3)
◆ Gladys, Virginia
About The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)
Now entering their 23rd year, the IEA has nearly 15,000 members across the United States participating in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage disciplines. There is no need for a rider to own a horse because the IEA hosting team supplies a mount and tack to each equestrian for competitions. IEA’s mission is to promote lifelong involvement in equestrian athletics by introducing students in grades 4-12 to equestrian competition, educational and leadership opportunities. IEA also provides opportunities to inspire and facilitate adults to continue their journey in equestrian athletics for a lifetime. For more information, visit www.RideIEA.org
About EQUUS Foundation
The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
— Edited Press Release
Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.
