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When Wisconsin Desert Horse Association was established in 1963, it consisted of three zones, North, Central, and South. Each zone had its own officers with representatives on an Executive Board for the entire state. In the mid-80's, the zone concept was discontinued, the ByLaws rewritten, and the membership combined into one organization, still carrying the Wisconsin Desert Horse Association name. WDHA celebrated its 40th anniversary year promoting the Arabian and Half-Arabian horse in 2003.
Club members enjoy several special programs. In the High Point program members accumulate points during the show season based on discipline riding and placings in both rated and open shows. In the Challenge program members accumulate points in non-show settings such as trail riding, parading, and clinics and seminars using their horses. All WDHA events give double points toward year end awards. At year's end, the High Point Banquet is the culmination of both the High Point and Challenge Awards programs. After the awards presentations for high point winners in both programs, members top off the festivities with dinner and dancing.
WDHA also offers a Futurity program for horses in inhand and performance classes. Mares in foal are nominated for competition in the future, and the classes are highlighted at the Arabian Futurity Festival in Madison, WI, each September, where futurity nominees from yearlings through aged horses compete in classes just for them.
In addition to this showing opportunity, the club sponsors the Badger Class A Show in Milwaukee on Memorial Day Weekend and a large open show which is generally held in August in the Fox Valley area. Inaugurated in 2003, WDHA added a Dressage & Sport Horse Show, to be held in 2004 at the Waukesha Co Fairgrounds. This successful new venture will offer the increasingly popular Sport Horse in Hand, Sport Horse under Saddle, and Sport Horse Show Hack classes, as well as dressage classes from Training level to Grande Prix. Plans are underway to include Hunter/Jumper classes for Arabians and driven dressage for all breeds. Check the WDHA website for details.
In September, WDHA offers a dressage schooling show near Stevens Point.
A number of clinics and workshops aimed at amateur exhibitors and show volunteers are offered in early spring and fall.
WDHA recognizes its volunteer help with several awards, the President’s Award, which is nominated by the club president; the WDHA "Thank You Award," which is nominated by the Board of Directors; and the AHA Member Club Volunteer Awards, which are nominated by the membership at large and selected by the previous year’s recipients. WDHA also presents a Region 10 Gelding Award, selected from nominations supplied by WDHA members.
Welcome to Region 10
