February 07, 2025
Local News

Interscholastic Equestrian Association to host fundraiser

By DANIELLE GUERRA
Image 1 of 2

Marie Hoffman (center), coach of On Eagles Wings Riders, hosts an Interscholastic Equestrian Association practice Aug. 7 on her Kirkland farm. Ruth Lemna (right center), 15, of Wheaton, is one of about 20 riders on the team. IEA riding clubs offer middle and high school-age children an opportunity to show and ride horses without owning the horses. The team is hosting a fundraiser to cover entry fees and show costs from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at the Culvers in Sycamore. (Danielle Guerra)

KIRKLAND – The cost of horse ownership doesn’t deter about 20 middle and high school-age kids from competing and showing horses with the On Eagles Wings Riding Team out of Kirkland.

The Interscholastic Equestrian Association team, which practices at coach Marie Hoffman’s horse farm, On Eagles Wings Farm, in Kirkland, is preparing for a new season of hunt seat competition riding from September through March. The team is hosting a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Culver’s in Sycamore to raise money for upcoming show entry fees.

Hoffman, who has been coaching for more than 44 years, prides herself and the team, comprised of mainly of 12 to 18 year olds from DeKalb County, on creating a supportive and respectful competitive environment. Because the young riders don’t have their own horses, they ride a different horse at each event.

“The kids learn how hard work pays off,” Hoffman said after a recent practice. “You have to be a good rider to compete on a strange horse and do well.”

Competitions are held at different regional clubs and farms and the riders are paired up randomly with the horses they compete on the morning of the competition.

#kirklandInterscholastic Equestrian AssociationCulver'sSycamore