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Timetable

• Between September 1 and January 15: To participate, the team will complete the online registration form which includes team information, the designation of a primary contact, the team roster, and the selection of the charity on our Equine Welfare Network that the team will support. The primary contact can be the coach, the adult contributing member, the team captain, or a team member.

Ideally, the completed registration should be submitted early as possible to give the team more time to work with the selected charity, however, the deadline to submit the registration form and participate is January 15.

Upon receipt of the registration form, the EQUUS Foundation will connect the team contact with the primary contact of the charity selected to discuss how the team can best serve the charity. Service can be in-person actual volunteering or virtual (social media, publicity, help with fundraising). We expect that most of the service will be virtual, i.e., publicity, fundraising, etc.

Also, upon receipt of the registration form, the EQUUS Foundation will email each of the team members with information about the award and the charity they selected and will provide them with links to take the #HorseProtectors Pledge and to our education module - The Horse: Commodity or Partner.

• On or before March 15: the primary team contact will submit a 500-word essay addressing reflections on the team's volunteer experience and what was learned; how the team can continue advancing the goals of the Horse Protectors Pledge; and why protecting America's horses matters to the next generation of equestrians. The charity contact will also provide an evaluation of the team's efforts. If the volunteer service included any fundraising efforts, the charity contact will also be asked to include the amount, if any, that the team raised.

• Not later than April 15: The EQUUS Foundation will select and notify the winning team and winning charity.

EQUUS Foundation IEA #HorseProtectors Team Award

Registration is currently closed.

Registration will be open from September 1 until January 15

Created in partnership between Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) and the EQUUS Foundation, this new team-based award honors IEA teams that go beyond the show ring to make a meaningful difference in the well-being of America's horses and the people who benefit from their interaction with horses.

The award celebrates the idea that great riders do more than compete—they lead with compassion, serve with purpose, and help ensure a better future for horses everywhere. Designed to inspire teamwork, leadership, service, and advocacy, the team will complete a volunteer project for an equine charity on the EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network, resulting in helping students understand the lifelong needs of horses and the importance of protecting their welfare. It is an opportunity for riders to grow as leaders, strengthen team culture, and experience firsthand how they can create positive change for horses.

The winning team will be selected by the EQUUS Foundation based on:
--Quality and impact of volunteer service in support of the equine charity selected by the team
--Team participation and collaboration
--Commitment to horse welfare education and advocacy
--Thoughtfulness and originality of essay submission
--Demonstrated leadership and community spirit
--The number of team members that take our Horse Protectors pledge with the expectation that at least 85% take the pledge as well as the number of team members who take our education module – The Horse: Commodity or Partner.

The winning team will receive a cash award of $1,500 and the charity selected by the team will receive a $500 grant. If the team engaged in a fundraising activity for the charity and generated at least $500 as a direct result of their volunteer efforts, the winning team will receive a cash award of $2,000.

The winning team will be featured in a media release distributed by the EQUUS Foundation and an e-blast distributed by the IEA.

The Registration Form will be available from September 1 until January 15