112 SIDELINES JUNE 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Jan Westmark-Allan
It’s always wonderful to have a professional rider
step up and offer their services, and Sidelines is
thrilled to announce that Interscholastic Equestrian
Association (IEA) coach Stephanie Pair-Kavitz is
stepping up in a fantastic way. Stephanie, who owns
Revelry Farm in Alpharetta, Georgia and is a trainer,
dressage competitor and IEA Coach, will be offering
free video critiques for IEA riders.
Stephanie has been an IEA coach for eight years
and has a passion for helping young riders. “I’d
like to introduce a new learning opportunity for IEA
riders. Riders can send a video (no longer than 4
minutes) along with a photo and description into
Sidelines and if your video is chosen I will critique it,”
she said. “The purpose is to give extra feedback and
coaching to improve their riding and understanding
of equitation in the IEA format. Riding is a tough
sport and riding strange horses in competition is
even harder so this is a great opportunity for middle
school and high school riders to receive the recognition they
deserve as well as extra help!”
The IEA was founded over 10 years ago as a way to promote
the equestrian as an athlete and give middle and high school
students the chance to compete. “I would have loved nothing
more than to be recognized as an athlete at my school when I was
a junior!” Stephanie said.
Through the Sidelines IEA Video Critiques, Stephanie will be
able to help IEA riders all across the country, not just the students
she coaches in Georgia. “I strive to impart correct riding and
exceptional horsemanship to my riders. I have found IEA to be
an excellent way for many juniors to further their love of horses
as well as learn to play as a team. Being a good equestrian is
not just about being a good rider, but about seeing to the needs
and welfare of their equine partner, even when that partnership
is as short as one round over fences. These riders learn humility,
responsibility, good sportsmanship and how to achieve their
goals.”
Several of Stephanie’s students have gone on to ride in college
and she said the transition to college level riding was much easier
due to their experience of riding in the IEA. When competing at an
IEA show, the riders only get two warm-up jumps before their over
fences round and no warm-up before their fat class. “The level of
stress these riders learn to deal with is amazing. I tell all my riders
that no matter what, they have to like the horses they draw in
order to get the best out of them they can,” she said.
Each IEA rider who submits an entry will be featured on the
Sidelines Facebook page and many will be featured in the
magazine throughout the year. “Working with these teams for the
last eight years has enabled me to give back and support the sport
that I love so much. I wouldn’t be the person I am now without my
horses and it is so rewarding for me to see these riders not only
work so hard to improve their skills in the saddle, but grow into
wonderful individuals that share my same love and enthusiasm for
horses,” Stephanie said.
The Bottom Line:
Feedback is
important for riders of all levels and this
is a great opportunity for IEA riders all
across the country to have their riding
critiqued. Send in your entries for the
Sidelines IEA Video Critiques at the
link on the Sidelines Magazine website,
www.sidelinesnews.com. We want to
give a big shout out to Stephanie Pair-
Kavitz for supporting our IEA riders and
we can’t wait to see the entries.
Working Together – Sidelines and IEA
e
The Bottom Line
Stephanie coaching a rider at IEA
Zone Finals. Now riders all across the
country can send in a video of their
riding and have a chance to receive
coaching from Stephanie through the
Sidelines IEA Video Critiques.
Stephanie (in yellow shirt) with her IEA riders at the 2013 Zone Finals.