11/22/2025
I am truly honored to be featured in IEAโs Full Circle series. IEA played a major role in my development both as a young rider and now as a coach, and being recognized in this way is incredibly meaningful.
This organization does so much good for so many students, and Iโm grateful every day that I get to help carry their mission forward with the Rising J team. Thank you, IEA, for the opportunity to share my story.
-Miranda ๐
Full Circle: From IEA Alumni to IEA Coach - Miranda Jaggars! Miranda is a Butler Area Equestrian Team (W-R1) alumni and currently coaches with Rising J Ranch (W-R7).
"My introduction to the Interscholastic Equestrian Association began in 2013 as a senior member of the Butler Area Equestrian Team in western Pennsylvania. Although I discovered IEA late and participated for only one season, the experience left a lasting impact on my life and career. Entering the western discipline as a newcomer, IEA provided access to opportunities I otherwise would not have hadโmost notably, the chance to compete in reining. My first reining class, complete with my first real stop and spin, solidified my love for the discipline and ignited the passion that continues to guide my professional work today.
As a young rider with limited financial resources, IEA offered something invaluable: a level playing field. The ability to draw and ride quality horses at programs like WVU, Alfred University and Grier allowed me to develop confidence, adaptability, and a deeper appreciation for horsemanship. IEA showed me that success in this sport is not defined by the price of the horse beneath you, but by the dedication, sportsmanship, and work ethic you bring to the arena. That lesson has remained central throughout my career
and coaching.
Years later, after relocating to Texas and beginning to teach in a community where many aspiring riders faced the same barriers I once did, I knew it was time to bring IEA full circle in my own life. In the 2024โ2025 season, the Rising J Ranch IEA Team officially launched. The students who inspired the program were talented, hardworking, and determinedโyoung riders who deserved opportunities to learn, grow, and compete regardless of financial limitations. IEA offered them exactly that: access, education, and a pathway forward.
At Rising J, gratitude is the foundation of everything we do. Our riders are taught to appreciate every horse, every draw, and every learning moment. That culture has become one of the defining characteristics of our team and is reflected in the way our riders support one another and the broader IEA community. One of my most meaningful moments as a coach was working with a senior rider, Grace Callan, whoโmuch like meโjoined IEA for just one season. Introducing her to reining, an event she would never have had the opportunity to try otherwise, I could always count on that big smile and hearing โthat was so much fun!โ every time she left the show pen. Watching her discover the same joy I once felt reminded me of the profound ways this program shapes riders long after they leave the ring.
As the team has grown, I have been fortunate to collaborate with fellow coaches in our region, specifically Rebecca Halvorson, to expand IEAโs reach in Texas and increase opportunities for youth riders. Our involvement in providing horses for Western Nationals and my recent appointment to the Western Committee have further strengthened my commitment to supporting the program. In 2025, I was honored with the Coach Sportsmanship Award at Nationals, a recognition that reflected the values our team holds most closely: gratitude, respect, kindness, and a genuine love for the horses.
IEA played a pivotal role in my growth as a young rider, and today, it continues to influence my development as a coach and professional. The programโs emphasis on horsemanship, adaptability, and integrity aligns deeply with the principles I strive to instill in my students. IEA gave me the opportunity to discover who I was in the show pen, and now I have the privilege of helping the next generation discover
the same."
Thank you, Miranda! Rising J LLC
