WHOA to host virtual awards ceremony on February 20
Monday, February 8, 2021

The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) will recognize their award winners from the 2020 show season during a virtual awards ceremony on Saturday, February 20, 2021. The show will be broadcast live on WHOA’s Facebook page beginning at 6 pm central time. The event will include the presentation of the National High Point Awards, Certificates of Merit, WHOA QUEST, and overall Horse of the Year Awards. The highest honor of the night will go to the winner of the Dr. Bob and Elizabeth Womack Presidential Award.

110 different owners will be recognized for their 2020 achievements. Winning owners are encouraged to be a part of the broadcast and appear live on the screen when their awards are presented. Winners who would like to join us on screen can register for a Zoom link that will allow them to use the camera on their computer or smart phone. Please note that the event can only be viewed on Facebook; the Zoom link will be for winners’ video feed only.

WHOA Facebook Page (for anyone who wants to watch the awards ceremony)

Zoom Registration (for winners who want to appear on the broadcast)

Click here for a list of owners who will be recognized during the event.

WHAA Barn Party
February 20, 2021 – 10:00 am
Elysium at Choose Your Gait Farms
1255 County Road 72
Danville, AL  35619

There will be a lot of great items to auction as well as breeding fees to some of the top stallions in the industry and training fees for many of the top trainers. Everyone is encouraged to bring your young horses to preview for the upcoming show season.

Lunch will be provided free of charge. WHAA members are asked to bring desserts for lunch and items for the auction. Most importantly, bring your checkbook/cash and be ready to spend some money for a great charity.

The Board of Directors for FAST (Foundation for the Advancement & Support of the Tennessee Walking Show Horse) is pleased to announce that Mrs. Sarah Smith has been hired as the foundation’s Director of Events. In her capacity, Smith will be responsible for the Foundation’s signature events, a two-day Spring Showcase horse show in April, a summer fundraising event, the annual Celebration 50-50 raffle and the Fall one-day horse show in November.

FAST has been the leading organization in providing funding for the preservation and advancement of the show horse. Since its founding more than 10 years ago, the foundation has raised in excess of $3 million dollars to support research and development, scholarships, legal aid, marketing and promotion and horse show development. “The foundation is very pleased to welcome Sarah Smith as our Director of Events. Sarah’s personal knowledge and relationships within the industry and the middle Tennessee area will be an asset to our efforts to continue to grow the work of the foundation and consequently have the resources to be able to continue providing much needed support for the sustainability of our show horse,” said Dr. Kasey Kesselring, FAST Chairman.

TWHBEA reaction to NAS study
Thursday, January 28, 2021

The Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association is pleased that the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) recently concluded their study entitled, “A Review of Methods for Detecting Soreness in Horses (2021)”, recently published. The study, for the first time combining efforts of the USDA and the Tennessee Walking Horse industry (Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ Foundation, the USDA, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture), was commissioned to examine methods and approaches for detecting soring of horses and to improve the reliability of inspections and conclusions related to soreness and soring.

The Horse Protection Act is a commerce law governing the showing, auctioning, and exhibiting of horses that outlaws soring, defined as an action by a person that results in physical pain to the horse. Soring is further defined as possibly including irritating or blistering agents, burns, cuts or lacerations, or use of any tack, nail, screw, or chemical agent used to irritate or cause pain to the limb of a horse. (Ref. 15 US Code Section 1821, Section 3).

A variety of experienced and well-respected veterinarians with private and university affiliations conducted the study and considered testimony and materials over a two year period to prepare their findings in the report overseen by doctors from Michigan State University and Washington University (St. Louis).

The NAS committee first acknowledged the stamina, gait, even disposition and unique smooth four-beat running walk and popularity of competing Tennessee Walking Horses, and then turned to their findings.

NAS found as a result of the study (and the Walking Horse industry and USDA appear to agree), that the inspection system and methods involving Tennessee Walking horses are inadequate and need to be improved through objective tests and methods.

NAS was charged to explore new methods and approaches and technology involving inspections, with the goals of consistency, objectivity, quality and reliability. Their guiding principle was consistent with ours – the welfare of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

We agree with NAS findings that there has been great variability and discrepancy in inspections; experience and training vary greatly in inspectors; and inspectors may have real or perceived conflicts of interest. The study found that this results in lack of valid and reliable methods of inspection and fails to meet the goals of consistency, objectivity, quality and reliability.

Even though “new methods, approaches and technology” will require further research and development, NAS suggests that only “highly trained and experienced equine veterinarians” would or should be examining horses, and any person not an experienced equine veterinarian should not be doing the inspections. That is a definite step in the right direction, and we look forward to the use of certified equine vets stepping into this role; but we must continue to call out for, and find, better and more objective testing, as some have voiced that this recommendation to use only qualified, experienced equine veterinarians will be difficult and carries costs, and veterinarian opinions will vary between veterinarians and remain subjective, thereby impeding consistency, objectivity, quality and reliability.

Although the NAS study discounts the need or desire to have a second opinion that results in consistent findings before disqualifying a horse, we believe that insuring consistency and reliability in inspections is always to the benefit of the horse, the exhibitor, the trainer, and the owner.

NAS suggests that one method of obtaining objectivity, consistency, quality and reliability is the use of blood testing and swabbing to test for chemical and/or drug applications. We agree with NAS findings that such testing is certainly desirable when done under appropriate circumstances and using methods that insure reliability.

NAS also examined the so-called “scar rule”. They found that the rule, as written, and considering past interpretation and use, has been inconsistent and that “the rule is unenforceable”. If it is to continue, it must be reexamined and rewritten. They agree that, even if scarring is found, the cause of an established scar (not an active or raw lesion) will not necessarily be clear, and the presence of an existing scar would not, in itself, necessarily be a source of soreness in the animal as presented. They recommend a revision of the rule and certain findings as necessary to enforce it. Of course, as it stands, findings of redness, swelling, or an active lesion or raw spot would disqualify a horse from showing; and we can call for future considerations to explore how an old scar that may not contribute in any way to soring or reaction of pain in the animal at the time of exhibition or training, would be viewed.

We appreciate and applaud the efforts of the USDA, the Tennessee Walking Horse Foundation, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, along with the equine veterinarians and scientists that participated, as well as those that testified and supplied materials for the study.

In summary, this combined effort concludes in findings that current inspection practices and methods are inadequate, makes suggestions for improvements that must be made, and in the agreement that we must continue to search for quality objective methods, approaches and technology that result in findings that are consistent and reliable.

Although the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association is not in the business of inspecting horses, we look forward to HIOs joining in exploring and establishing objective tests that meet the standards suggested and result in predictable, consistent, and verifiable findings.

Copies of the full report are available from the National Acadamies Press, Washington, D.C.; http://www.nap.edu.
Submitted by Jim Heiting, Vice President, Equine Welfare

Equine Obituary – Jammin’ For Keeps
Friday, January 29, 2021

Reserve world champion Jammin’ For Keeps recently passed away at Cedar Tree Farms. Affectionately known as Jammin,’ the talented mare was sired by Cash For Keeps and out of Strawberry Jam. She found show ring success at young age and maintained that success for over a decade.

Under the direction of Chet Mills, Jammin’ would reach the pinnacle of her career claiming top honors at the prestigious Columbia Jubilee and the title of Reserve World Champion at the 2016 Celebration. With 17 blues and 20 reserve finishes, very few of her show ring peers could match her sustained success.

Not only was she successful in the show ring, she was also a producer of champions. Her first foal Walkin’ & Jammin’ inherited her mother’s striking good looks and used them to capture the titles of Futurity Champion, World Champion Weanling filly and Reserve World Grand Champion weanling. A working mom, Jammin’ took home honors at the same Celebration; leaving her filly’s side only long enough to compete herself.

A truly special animal. Jammin’ will not soon be forgotten by her fans and especially by those of at Cedar Tree Farms.

Its with great pride that our new site is loading as we speak with a focus on new and old and very old TWH video! This is what the public is looking for and we plan to deliver!

got to Video @ The Celebration

Lifetime Achievement Awards Highlight of Reno Exhibitors’ Party
Tuesday, November 28, 2000

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

The exhibitors’ party in Reno was a memorable occasion, highlighted by the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to three individuals who have made significant contributions to the West Coast walking horse industry. Each honoree was recognized for their decades of dedication and impact on the breed.

Eva McClure
Eva McClure was the first to be honored, and her surprise was evident as Russ Thompson took the stage to recount her remarkable journey. For over 40 years, Eva has been a pillar of the walking horse community, initially through her partnership with her late husband, Mitch McClure. Together, they were early exhibitors and breeders who played a crucial role in establishing the walking horse as a respected presence on the AHSA multi-breed show circuit. Today, Eva continues to oversee Courtesy Stables in Somis, California, maintaining the legacy she and Mitch built.

Paul Hughes
Next, Paul Hughes was recognized for his enduring influence on the breed. Bil Hartman shared a brief but impactful summary of Hughes’ contributions. After serving in the Navy, Hughes moved to Southern California over 50 years ago and established a training barn that became a cornerstone of the walking horse community. His mentorship helped launch the careers of notable trainers such as Frank White, Russ Thompson, and Scott Benham. Even today, Hughes remains an active promoter of the breed, introducing new enthusiasts and owners from his base at Golden West Farms in Ontario, California.

Bill Maurer
Finally, Bill Maurer’s contributions were celebrated. Maurer was a pioneer in managing Helene Kahn’s Merrywood Farm breeding operation and has been a long-standing local board member. His leadership in membership and sponsor committees has been vital to the success of local show activities. Although age has slowed him down, Maurer and his wife, Jeanette, remain dedicated to the breed, often visiting on Saturday mornings to watch their family’s horses train. His daughter, Harriet Cappuccio, accepted the award on his behalf, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the recognition.

The evening was a fitting tribute to these three individuals, whose passion and commitment have left an indelible mark on the walking horse industry. Their stories serve as an inspiration to all who continue to support and promote the breed.