Fixing the Rot: How Crooked Judging is Killing the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry

Fixing the Rot: How Crooked Judging is Killing the Tennessee Walking Horse Industry

Written by: Tommy Williams
email:tommywhc@aol.com
931-492-2825
WHC Publisher-Williams Media Entertainment

The Tennessee Walking Horse industry has long been a symbol of Southern heritage, elegance, and tradition. But behind the glittering trophies and polished hooves lies a festering problem that threatens to destroy the very foundation of this beloved industry: crooked judging.

The recent court ruling favoring the industry was a win, no doubt. It was a chance to breathe new life into a community that has faced its share of challenges. But let’s not mistake this victory as a free pass to ignore the rot within. If we don’t address the corruption in the judging system—the buddy system, the lack of accountability, and the failure of Horse Industry Organizations (HIOs) to hold trainers and judges to a higher standard—this industry will crumble from the inside out.

Let’s call it what it is: in many cases…its a rigged game.

For too long, the “good ol’ boys” network has dominated the show ring. Trainers and judges scratching each other’s backs, ensuring that the same names rise to the top while the average competitor—the one who pours their heart, soul, and savings into their horse—gets left in the dust. This isn’t just unfair; it’s a betrayal of the very spirit of competition. It’s why shows are shrinking, why spectators are losing interest, and why the next generation of enthusiasts is looking elsewhere.

The HIOs, which are supposed to be the guardians of integrity, have failed us. Time and again, they’ve turned a blind eye to unethical practices, allowing trainers and judges to operate with impunity. Where is the accountability? Where is the transparency? If we can’t trust the system to be fair, why should anyone bother to compete?

That’s why initiatives like the judges review system on WalkingHorseChat.com are so critical. This platform gives a voice to those who have been silenced for too long. It allows riders, owners, and fans to publicly review judges, shining a light on the good, the bad, and the downright corrupt. This isn’t about witch hunts; it’s about demanding fairness. It’s about holding those in power accountable for their actions—or lack thereof.

Let’s be clear: crooked judging isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It’s a cancer. It erodes trust, drives away participants, and tarnishes the reputation of the entire industry. If we don’t act now, we’ll be left with empty show rings and a legacy of shame.

To the HIOs: step up or step aside. Your job is to protect the integrity of this sport, not to enable its downfall. Implement stricter oversight, enforce real consequences for unethical behavior, and start putting the interests of the industry above personal relationships.

To the trainers and judges who play by the rules: we see you, and we appreciate you. But it’s time to speak out against those who don’t. Silence is complicity, and this industry can’t afford any more enablers.

And to the average rider—the one who shows up year after year, giving it their all despite the odds—this fight is for you. You deserve a fair shot. You deserve a system that rewards hard work and talent, not backroom deals.

The Tennessee Walking Horse industry is at a crossroads. We can either seize this moment to root out corruption and rebuild trust, or we can watch as the shows we love wither away. The choice is ours. But make no mistake: if we don’t fix this now, there won’t be an industry left to save.

It’s time to clean house. Let’s get to work.