IEA Announces YETI Green Leaders Scholarship winners
- August 15, 2025
- ⎯ Edited Press Release
August 12, 2025—The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) has announced the winners of the 2025 YETI Green Leaders Scholarship, presented by Green Is The New Blue.
An environmental non-profit, Green Is the New Blue (GNB) partnered with YETI, a global distributor of outdoor products designed to provide a healthy, thriving and inclusive wild for generations to come. With combined missions to encourage responsible stewardship of our planet, YETI, GNB and IEA launched this scholarship program. It is intended to encourage IEA members to make incremental, sustainable changes to their own barns and horse shows. GNB is the Official Partner of Environmental and Sustainability Impact of the IEA.
Scholarship applicants were required to be active IEA members who were registered in the GNB Green Leaders Program. Additionally, they had to submit an application and 90-second video explaining their green efforts and activities this season.
The winners
The following IEA rider members received individual $1,000 awards for a total of $5,000 in scholarships:
- NATHANIEL BIERY–A senior Hunt Seat rider from Renton, WA who rides on the Sharkey Farms Team coached by Kate Sharkey
- ELIZABETH ELLER-MARTIN–A junior Hunt Seat and Dressage rider from Apison, TN who rides on the Euchee Meadows Equestrian Team coached by Denise Talley
- ABBY LANGFORD–A 7th grade Hunt Seat rider from Tampa, FL who rides on the Madison Stables Team coached by Danielle Johnson
- WALKER LEFKOWITZ–An 8th grade Dressage rider from Las Vegas, NV who rides on the Las Vegas Blue Ribbon Dressage Team coached by Catherine Prato, Annette Spinetti, Dinnia DiGennaro, Missy Corbin and Sariana Lee
- CATHERINE WALZ–A sophomore Hunt Seat rider from Carmel, IN who rides on the Zionsville Equestrian Team coached by Emily Ahlfeld, Amy Ochoa and Erica Zirkelbach
All who applied for the scholarship received an exclusive YETI Green Is the New Blue water bottle, courtesy of GNB.
Making a difference
“YETI’s partnership with Green Is the New Blue allows us to deepen our roots in the equestrian community while highlighting the importance of sustainability through the YETI Green Leaders Scholarship Program,” said Joe Koehly, senior director of community marketing at YETI. “We’re excited to help support an initiative that allows individuals to make a difference in their community by reinforcing sustainability practices that create a greener future for the sport.”
“The YETI Green Leaders Scholarship celebrates young equestrians who are proving that environmental responsibility and excellence in sport go hand in hand,” said R. Scot Evans, creative director of Green Is The New Blue. “This year’s recipients embody the future we envision—one where riders lead by example, protect the places we love, and inspire our community for a more sustainable sport and a greener tomorrow. We’re deeply grateful to YETI and IEA for making this vision possible.”
About YETI
YETI is a global designer, retailer and distributor of innovative, durable outdoor products. Furthermore, the company recognizes its role as responsible stewards of the planet and our communities. It is committed to leaving no waste in the communities where it builds its products. YETI’s partnerships, sponsorships and product donations support conservation, restoration and community resilience initiatives. The company partners with organizations working to protect the places we love and increase access to outdoor recreation. For more information about YETI products and global initiatives, visit www.yeti.com.
About Green Is the New Blue
A 501c3 organization, Green Is the New Blue was founded in 2019 to develop a movement for sustainable equestrian sport. Through youth programs and partnerships, GNB provides engaging educational opportunities and inspires change at the grassroots level. Youthful creativity, enthusiasm and passion for the planet are assets for the long-term sustainability of equestrian activities. For more information, visit www.greenisthenewblue.org.
About the Interscholastic Equestrian Association
Inclusive. Equitable. Affordable. The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) was established to provide competitive and educational opportunities through equestrian athletics for students in grades 4-12 without the expense of owning a horse. Good Horsemanship and honorable participation are priorities at every event. It is the responsibility of all members to foster a spirit of belongingness. Also important are an atmosphere of community enjoyment and a mutual respect for all participants and their equine partners.
Founded in 2002, the IEA currently has 15,000 members nationwide participating in Hunt Seat, Western and Dressage disciplines. IEA is open to public school, private school and home-school students. Each season, the organization offers nearly $1.5 million in cash and collegiate scholarships to its members. For more information, go to www.rideiea.org.
