Youth rider advances to National Equestrian Finals

TICONDEROGA | Brynna Lisette Kleeman, an eighth-grade student at Ticonderoga Junior–Senior High School, has qualified for the 2026 Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) National Finals after helping lead the Diamond Pine Farm Middle School Team to a championship finish at the IEA Zone D1 Finals held Sunday, March 15. Kleeman competes with Diamond Pine Farm in Castleton, Vt., the closest IEA program to Ticonderoga. At the Zone Finals, she delivered a strong performance in her division, placing 1st in Future Novice Flat and 3rd in Future Novice Test, helping the team secure her spot as well as the Grand Champion honors to advance to the national competition in April. Brynna has been riding since second grade, training with Diamond Pine Farm and South Ti Stables, where she has developed her riding skills over the past several years. Her teammates also delivered excellent rides. Audrey Griffin of Vermont placed 3rd and 4th, while Arrayah Walker of New Hampshire earned two 1st-place finishes and one 2nd-place finish. In addition to the middle school team qualifying for nationals, Lacey Pelletier of Castleton, Vt. qualified individually at the high school level, adding to the team's impressive showing. The team is coached by Stephanie "Stephii" Gerstner, a highly respected trainer and coach known for her ability to develop young riders across multiple equestrian disciplines. Gerstner's program at Diamond Pine Farm emphasizes strong fundamentals, horsemanship, and sportsmanship, helping students gain the confidence and versatility needed to compete successfully in the IEA format. The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is one of the largest youth equestrian organizations in the United States, with more than 15,000 riders competing nationwide. The program operates much like traditional JV and Varsity school athletics, allowing middle school and high school riders to compete as part of a team while advancing through several levels of competition throughout the season. IEA competitions are unique because riders compete on horses they do not own and often have never ridden before. Horses are drawn at random, requiring riders to quickly adapt and perform with unfamiliar mounts — widely considered one of the truest tests of horsemanship. Throughout the season, riders advance from regular competitions to Regionals, Zone Championships, and ultimately the National Finals. Kleemann competes in Zone D1, part of a Northeast region that includes riders from seven states: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Advancing from the Zone Championship to nationals is comparable to winning a multi-state championship and moving on to compete at the national level, placing riders among the top competitors in the country in their division. IEA also helps riders build the experience and competitive record needed for college equestrian opportunities, including teams competing in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association (IHSA) and NCAA equestrian programs. The 2026 IEA National Finals will take place April 23–26 at the National Equestrian Center in Lake St. Louis, Missouri, where the Diamond Pine Farm riders will represent their team and region. For a rider from a small Essex County community like Ticonderoga, advancing from a seven-state championship zone to the national stage represents a notable accomplishment and reflects the dedication of the rider, their coach, and the program supporting them. Brynna is grateful for the community's support over the years of her lemonade stand and baking sales who has made this possible. For more information on IEA https://www.rideiea.org/.

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Youth rider advances to National Equestrian Finals

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