The Touchet WAHSET team kicked off their season by participating in their first meet at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake, March 14th- 18th. The team, consisting of talented athletes from various schools and Touchet athletes Sierra McColley and Leah Lundberg, exuded confidence as they competed in various drills with their equine partners.
WHAT IS WAHSET?
Washington Highschool Equestrian Team
In 2018, Touchet became the hosting school for a cooperative team consisting of students from Touchet, Desales, WaHi, College Place, and WWVA. The team, known as the Touchet WAHSET Team, comprises students who have a year-round commitment to themselves and their equine partners. For the 23-24 season, there are 12 athletes on the WAHSET team. The WAHSET season runs from September 1st to June 30th, and all athletes must complete the registration process before December 1st to be on the team for the current season.
Angie McColley, head coach of the Touchet WAHSET team, is an experienced advisor who is dedicated to fostering a positive and supportive environment. Her approach is one of inclusivity and empathy, creating a space where everyone feels heard, valued and respected. Angie encourages open communication and promotes a strong sense of community, where people work together as a team and look out for one another.
Even though WAHSET is technically viewed as a “club” the athletes get the opportunity to Varsity Letter as an Equestrian for Touchet regardless of what school the officially attend. This has been made possible by the support of the Touchet Booster Club.
The state is broken up into 8 different Districts, Touchet WAHSET is in District 5. All of the District Meets; 3 in total are in Moses Lake Washington which are held in the spring. If an athlete completes the season in the Top 3 (point based). They are eligible for the State Meet that is also in Moses Lake.
The Top 5 in each event are invited to an invitational event called the PNW Invitational Championship where the Top from Washington compete against the Top from Oregon. PNWIC rotates locations every year between Oregon and Washington.
The State WAHSET Association holds its own liability insurance, ensuring that schools are not required to include an Equestrian Rider in their policy; this is covered by the State WAHSET's insurance. Additionally, this policy extends to the arenas and their owners where the athletes train.
Financially, WAHSET operates as a 501(c)(3) organization from the state level downward. The financials of each team are audited by the WAHSET State Treasurer at the conclusion of every season. Currently, our Touchet Team does not receive any financial support from the school or local community.
The average cost for each athlete to attend a meet with their horse is approximately $160 which does not include food, travel, and lodging. In recent years, the athletes have participated in barrel racing events, setting barrels and operating gates to raise funds for team equipment such as Drill Tack. Other costs incurred by the team, including individual registration fees ($225 per athlete), uniforms, horse stall fees, and so forth, are covered by the athletes and their families.
Each year, the State WAHSET awards an $800 college scholarship to one athlete. The team is working on local sponsorship support in order to help cover costs associated with participation.
The team has been very fortunate to have an indoor arena to practice in during the winter months in exchange for help with the Pink Ribbon Classic and Eddie MacMurdo Horse Shows. The team volunteers at the events by handing out awards and running gates. Practice takes place on Monday nights in the winter from 6:30-8:30pm. By having evening practice, the athletes are still able to participate in school sports like Volleyball and Basketball.
In the spring practice moves outdoors where they ride at the WW Valley Cowboy Church Arena and at the McColley family residence. Both places are provided to the team free of charge. The goal of the WAHSET team is to not interfere with spring sports, in order for the athletes to compete in other sporting activities as well. Currently there are three athletes that compete in track as well as WAHSET.
Each athlete can pick up to 5 individual events to participate in and unlimited Team Events.
The Team Events are:
Working Pairs-2 person
Bi-Rangle-2 person
Team Sorting – 2 person (Cattle Sorting)
Drill Team (Working 4’s or Freestyle 6+) – 4 person or more than 6
In-Hand Obstacle Relay – 4 person Teams
Team Versatility – 4 person
Canadian Flag Relay – 4 person
The Individual events include:
Performance
Showmanship
Saddle Seat
Stock Seat
Hunt Seat
Jumping
Dressage
In-Hand Trail
Trail
Working Rancher
Gaming
Poles
Figure 8
Keyhole
Individual Flags
Barrels
We wish the WAHSET team the best of luck for their upcoming meets this season. For more information about the Touchet WAHSET team or to offer sponsorship and support their participation, please reach out to Angie McColley at angie@redgoatfab.com.