Volunteer with WIHA

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Join Us in Shaping the Future of Equestrian Youth!

Are you passionate about working with 6th-12th grade equestrian youth and helping them build their horsemanship skills? Do you love being around horses? The Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association (WIHA) is looking for dedicated volunteers to support teams across the state of Wisconsin.

About Us

WIHA is unique among youth equestrian organizations. Unlike others, WIHA focuses on team-based equestrian competitions. Each team belongs to a district that corresponds to the county where their school is located. Our goal is to have as many schools as possible recognize equestrian sports and allow students to earn letters for their achievements.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to facilitate interscholastic competition, promote educational enrichment, and encourage fair and good horsemanship through a cooperative and democratic process.

Purpose

WIHA aims to foster continuous growth in horsemanship education, sponsor activities that encourage interscholastic participation, and provide cooperative, adult-supervised leadership for all students in grades 6 through 12, regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

History

Founded in May 2007 by Dan Grunewald, WIHA held its first show in Jefferson, WI, with seven teams competing. Since then, WIHA has grown significantly, with many youth and adults getting involved. In 2024, we had 63 teams and 323 students participating.

How Does It Work?

WIHA is divided into several districts throughout Wisconsin. Each team competes in district shows, with the top teams advancing to the state championship. Teams are categorized into four divisions based on size:

• Division A: 11-14 riders
• Division B: 6-10 riders
• Division C: 3-5 riders
• Division D: 1-2 riders

Classes Offered (Grades 6-12)

• Western Showmanship
• English Showmanship (Hunt Seat & Saddle Seat)
• Bareback Equitation/Horsemanship
• Walk/Trot Horsemanship/Equitation
• Saddle Seat Equitation
• English Equitation (Hunt Seat & Saddle Seat)
• Hunter Hack Equitation
• Western Horsemanship
• Lead Change Challenge (even years) / Dressage Type (odd years)
• Ranch Riding
• In-Hand Trail
• Trail
• Cones Driving (even years) / Reinsmanship (odd years)
• Pole Bending
• Barrels
• Timed Classes (Plug, Flag, Speed & Action, Home Base, LT Special, Key Race)
• Two Person Relay

Get Involved

Volunteering with WIHA is a rewarding experience where you can make a significant impact on the lives of young equestrians. Whether you have a background in horsemanship or simply a passion for helping youth, your contribution will be invaluable.

Join us in promoting horsemanship education and supporting the next generation of equestrian athletes. Together, we can make a difference!