Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want to be part of WAHSET but don't have a horse?
What's the cost for the athlete?
How does WAHSET work to keep the cost for the athlete low?
What kind of events can athletes participate in?
What does a team cost the school?
What IS required from the school?

What if I want to be part of WAHSET but don't have a horse?
Not all athlete's who participate in WAHSET have a horse or have to compete. There is the option to register as a groom with your high school's team. You will still be able to attend the meets and practices (not as a competitor) and may even be applicable for a varsity letter depending upon your school.

What's the cost for the athlete?
WAHSET's main goal is to keep costs relatively low for the athlete. There is a $185 fee to be paid at the time of registration for competing athletes and a $60 fee for non-competing athletes. This money covers insurance costs, entry fees, judge's pay, and arena rental. Stall and transportation fees are the responsibility of the athlete as well as uniform costs. Some schools will loan jerseys while others require you to purchase your own. Coaches and Advisors are NOT paid and work on a volunteer basis only. There are no per-class fees for the meets.
There is also a $50 team registration fee per team. This cost may be divided between the participating athletes or may be covered by team fund raisers.

How does WAHSET work to keep the cost for the athlete low?
All of the athlete's class entry fees are paid for at the beginning of the year and are included in the $185 registration fee. There is no financial penalty for dropping a class during a show. Many schools do fund raisers through out the competition year and off-season to help offset costs and purchase things such as team sweatshirts, jackets, and jerseys. The uniforms are not elaborate and consist of the team's solid colored polo shirt and the appropriate pants for the class ridden in (western, english, or saddle seat). Chaps are usually not permitted in many performance classes and no one has to go buy their own specific "show clothes". Stall fees ARE the responsibility of the athlete, but are kept as low as possible. Some hotels will give discounted rates for WAHSET members who are staying there for the duration of the meet if requested by the district chair or meet host.

What kind of events can athlete's participate in?
WAHSET offers a number of classes in individual and team catagories. There is a wide range of performance as well as timed event classes and even cow events. Athletes can choose up to five individual events to compete in and as many team events as they would like to do. Click here for a complete list of events.

What does a team cost the school?
Absolutely nothing. The equestrian team may solicit funds from appropriate school activity sponsorship groups, but does not require funding from the school at all.

What IS required from the school?
The only thing that WAHSET requires from the school is the approval of the team or club. Some school's allow for the equestrian team to post announcements in their bulletin and advertise through posters and other means in the school. Allowing space to meet in a classroom or cafeteria during or after school hours is also an accommodation that schools have made available to their teams, however meetings do not have to be on school property. Varsity letters are also available at many schools with the equestrian team establishing their own lettering criteria in accordance with school guidelines.