Granton Equestrian Team 3-time state champions

The Granton Area School District’s equestrian team took first place in Division C at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Horsemanship Association (WIHA) State Horse Show, Oct. 25-27 in Madison. This is the third year in a row that they have won.

The team is comprised of Charlotte Hanna (11th grade) riding Revenue Assurance or “Revi,” Grace Verhalen (11th grade) riding I Got A Girl Crush or “Willow,” and Kate Verhalen (seventh grade) riding Sudden Terms or “Caroline.” The WIHAState Horse Show included teams from all across Wisconsin. Each team competed in district shows against other similarly-sized teams in standardized classes consisting of showmanship (showing a pattern in hand), equitation (showing a pattern riding), reinsmanship (showing a pattern driving a cart) and speed events (barrels, poles, etc). Granton competed against 12 other teams from across Wisconsin that each had

Please see State, page 13

(From left) Grace Verhalen, Kate Verhalen and Charlotte Hanna pose for a photo with the trophy they won at the WIHA State Horse Show on Oct. 25-27.

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three to five riders from their school.

Granton’s placings at the 2024 WIHA State Horse Show were as follows: — Ranch riding: Kate second, Charlotte eighth — In-hand trail: Grace first, Charlotte third — Trail: Kate first — Western showmanship: Grace second, Kate fifth, Charlotte seventh — Saddle seat showmanship: Grace first, Charlotte fourth — Hunt seat showmanship: Charlotte ninth, Grace 10th — Bareback horsemanship/equitation: Charlotte seventh, Grace 10th — Walk/trot horsemanship/equitation: Charlotte fifth — Saddle seat equitation: Grace first — Hunt seat equitation: Kate first, Charlotte second — Lead change challenge: Kate first, Grace eighth — Western horsemanship: Kate second The team would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and for buying pizzas during their Papa Murphy’s fundraisers and popcorn during the popcorn sale. This year, all WIHA show fees were covered through fundraising efforts. The next Papa Murphy’s fundraiser will be in January.

Below left: Charlotte Hanna walks with her horse during one category of competition. Below middle, Kate Verhalen completes with her horse while below right, Grace Verhalen stands with her horse.

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