- Virginia Region Pony Clubs Make Debut at the USEA …
Aiken, S.C.—May 15— The Virginia Region Pony Clubs made a memorable first appearance at the 2026 Interscholastic Eventing League (IEL) Eventing Championship this week at Stable View, arriving with three full teams, t12 riders, and enough spirit to rival even the most seasoned programs. For a region experiencing its inaugural IEL outing, the group quickly established itself as one of the most enthusiastic and unified contingents on the grounds.
Coach Hannah Schofield, whose home club is Loudoun Hunt Pony Club in Leesburg, Virginia, was a longtime Pony Clubber herself and is now a professional based in Northern Virginia.
“I’ve been coaching for the Virginia region at Pony Club Championships for the past three years, so I get to meet kids from all over Virginia, which is super cool,” Schofield said. “This is our first time doing IEL with a big group, and we decided to come down here and get as many kids involved as we could. We have three full teams—12 riders—which is awesome for our first year to come in strong like that.”
Most of the riders hail from Pony Clubs in Northern Virginia, and for many, the trip south was their first exposure to a championship-style eventing show. Schofield acknowledged that some combinations were new, but the decision to attend was an easy one. “The kids in Pony Club love rallies and love eventing. Riding on teams is something we don’t get to do much in an individual sport, and this championship is a great opportunity for them to build teamwork. It definitely adds a little more pressure—they don’t want to let their friends down—but it’s good for them to learn to manage that.”
The team dynamic was matched by the electric atmosphere Stable View has become known for. Schofield, a dressage rider with a self-professed love of sparkles, was delighted by the event’s signature flair. “It’s like the happiest horse trial in the world. I’ve never seen so much glitter,” she said with a laugh. “Next year we’re bringing a professional tail bedazzler. We’ve noticed we’re a little lacking in the tail tinsel department.”…