Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)

Stoneleigh-Burnham School has been a member of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association since its official inception in 2002 and boasts four consecutive National Titles.

We offer both Middle School (Grades 7 & 8) and Upper School (Grades 9 – 12 & Postgraduate) Hunt Seat teams that compete within the largest zone in the country.

The unique aspect of IEA competitions, both at the local and national level, is that none of the riders will supply their own horses or tack. Instead, the host team arranges for the horses and equipment. Since the horse is new to the rider, the scores are based upon horsemanship and equitation. Riders are randomly assigned a horse for each class, one jumping and one flat, and are judged on their equitation against riders at their level.

Facilities

The Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Center offers:

  • Two indoor riding rings: Flagg Hall (100′ by 200′) and The Lion’s Den (72′ by 120′) are surfaced with state-of-the-art, high-tech German Geotextile (GGT) footing
  • Expansive outdoor facility:
    • Enclosed sand ring
    • European-style Derby field
    • Cross-country course with levels from beginner novice to preliminary
    • Extensive trail network encircling our 100-acre campus
  • Heated viewing room: Fuller Lounge, accommodating up to 200 people
  • Two heated barns: stabling for 50 horses, each offering its own wash stall and heated tack room
  • Equine rehabilitation facility: Our equipment and knowledgeable staff can help your equine athlete recover from an injury and/or surgery. Open to our local community, our facility features a solarium, digital weight scale, wash stall, heated barn, vet office, and two indoor arenas. Please contact equine rehabilitation to learn more. Rehab treatments include:
    • Wound care
    • Suture care
    • Stall rest
    • IV care
    • Hand walking
    • Abscess wrapping
    • Poultice
    • Therapeutic shoeing
    • Top-quality vet care… and more!

Many students bring their own horses while others take lessons with the school’s team of more than 35 horses that are capable of competing and succeeding at every level of competition.

Wall of Fame

The Stoneleigh-Burnham School Equestrian Wall of Fame honors and celebrates the achievements of our alumnae who have made significant contributions and brought distinction to various areas of the equestrian world.

Wall of Fame inductees have been involved in the equestrian field in numerous ways including as rider, trainer, coach, breeder, owner, artist, journalist, jockey, author, veterinarian, judge, manager, rescuer, ASPCA, braider, groom, equine pharmaceuticals and photographer.

2022 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductee

  • Kate Echeverria '98 DVM MS DACVIM-LAIM

 

2021 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductees

  • Karen A. Kelley '86
  • Lorna Conway '88
  • Carolyn (Joseph) Mainardi '93

 

2017 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductee

  • Vicki Humphrey Oliver ’91

 

2014 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductees

  • Margaret “Gigi” Altmiller McIntosh ’72
  • Alexandra Linscheid O’Toole ’03
  • Caroline Roffman ’06
  • Alexandra Warriner ’90

 

2012 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductees
The 2001 IEA National Championship Team including:

  • McKenzie Rollins ’01
  • Ashley Grant ’04
  • Emily Wood Thompson ’01
  • Naomi Gendron-Waidlich ’01
  • Flora Wu ’01

 

2011 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductees

  • Abby Fuller ’77
  • Joannah Hall Glass ’59S
  • Kimberly Cartier Dome ’94
  • Libby Cowperthwaite Schmittdiel ’84
  • Mina Payne ’78

 

2010 Equestrian Wall of Fame Inductees

  • Suzanne Bell Fraser ’72
  • Jerilyn Jacobs ’85
  • Amy Stegall ’86
  • Vicky Castegren ’94
  • Samantha Pleasant ’02
Meet the Team
Mina Payne
Director of Riding

Director of Riding Mina Payne graduated from Stoneleigh-Burnham in 1978 and has been working here since 1979. She has been named one of the top 50 riding instructors in America by the American Riding Instructor Association. As a junior rider, Mina was a serious Medal and Maclay competitor and won many classes throughout the northeast A-rated circuit. As an adult she became involved with eventing and dressage, competing through the preliminary event level and third level dressage. Currently, riding is still an important part of Mina’s day, however it is the teaching about which she is most passionate. She has been a licensed riding instructor and professional horsewoman for over 25 years, having coached many riders to national recognition. Under her tutelage Stoneleigh-Burnham’s equestrian team won the Upper School National IEA Championship title for four consecutive years and in 2004, a Stoneleigh-Burnham student also won the National IEA Leading Rider Award. She is an active member in the USEF, USEA, and IEA.

Kay Ward
Director of the Equestrian Program

Kay Ward has over 20 years of stable management experience. She joined the Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Center as Stable Manager after working at Biscuit Hill Farm, Skinnerville Stable and Bri-Mar Stable. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from UMass Amherst.

Sarah Ward
Hunt Seat Instructor

Sarah has extensive experience in the Hunter/Jumper discipline where she competed in the Junior Medals and the College Preparatory Invitational in Palm Beach, Florida. She also competed in the Equestrian Talent Search and was the captain of her college IHSA team. Sarah has been a barn manager and assistant trainer and is a licensed riding instructor. She looks forward to helping the riders achieve their goals!

Abby Bourque
Assistant Stable Manager & Riding Instructor

Abby Bourque is a Graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Equine Business Management. She has a background in the Hunter/Jumper discipline and while in school was captain of her IHSA team. Since graduating Abby has worked extensively in the show world as a groom and is a certified Massachusetts riding instructor. 

Our Equestrian Center is located on campus at Stoneleigh-Burnham School. We offer a variety of programs for Stoneleigh-Burnham students as well as summer programs for campers aged 8-16. We also host indoor and outdoor competitions throughout the year at our Livery Yard, Riding School, and Facility.

Every rider, from beginner to advanced, receives personalized instruction that reflects her interests, goals, and abilities. Licensed coaches provide instruction tailored to all levels with training in equitation, hunters, jumpers, eventing, dressage, and equine studies. Group classes are typically comprised of four to six students, with great care taken to match ability levels within a group. Private and semi-private lessons are also available with any of our licensed instructors.