Trainers’ hold election; Banquet to come in February
Friday, December 1, 2023
The Walking Horse Trainers’ Association held their annual general membership meeting on December 1, 2023 at the headquarters of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ & Exhibitors’ Association. The change in venue is due to the change in the Horse of the Year banquet from this traditional weekend in December to February.
The Riders’ Cup and Horse of the Year banquets will be held at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tenn., on February 2-3, 2024. The move was an effort to increase participation at the banquet and try to avoid the holiday season for owners and trainers.
Per the WHTA bylaws, the election and general membership meeting had to be conducted in December. The following trainers were elected to the board, which had three seats needing to be filled.
President – Bill Young
1st Vice President – Edgar Abernathy
2nd Vice President – Clay Sanderson
Board members – Blaise Broccard, Wayne Dean and Dan Waddell
The trainers also presented their Riders’ Cup checks for the 2023 show season. The top three finishers in the performance category were R.M. Kellett, Dan Waddell and Jimmy McConnell. In the pleasure division the top three were Robert Nelms, Joe Lester and Laurie Toone.
