By Sarah Gee
©Voice, March 2007

Macy Mitchell, Katherine Meredith, and Chelsea Mazzell placed first,
second, and third in the Equitation 15-17 Flat Shod
WHOA/TWHBEA Academy High Point division.

Murfreesboro, TN – The Walking Horse Owners’ Association (WHOA) held its annual convention January 19-20 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The event’s two highly anticipated banquets were staged at the James Union Building on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University and the always productive meetings were held at the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce. In order to better serve its membership, the banquets were recorded on video by Dean Johnson. A video was provided to each award winner.

Register of Merit, Versatility High Point, and Academy High Point Awards Banquet

The Register of Merit, Versatility High Point, and Academy High Point Awards Banquet was held the evening of January 19. Following the welcome by WHOA Pleasure Horse Committee Chairperson Martha Child, the introduction of honored guests by Mark Farrar, Jr., and the invocation by John Wright, the nearly 250 attendees enjoyed a scrumptious buffet.
Following dinner, awards of appreciation were presented to WHOA versatility and academy show hosts Larry and Linda Starnes, Womack Stables, MacGregor Stables, Vic & Carolyn Gernt, Rising Glory Farm, and Midland Equestrian Center. For their dedication to assisting at the WHOA versatility shows, Mr. and Mrs. John Wright also received a special gift of appreciation. The final special award went to Martha Child for all of her hard work as WHOA Pleasure Horse Committee Chairperson.

It was then time to present the Register of Merit and high point awards. Mark Farrar, Jr., served as emcee while Jack Greene captured the winners on film. Cindy Adams presented the Register of Merit and Versatility High Point awards while TWHBEA’s Lori Puckett presented the Academy High Point awards.

Board of Directors Meeting

The WHOA Board of Directors meeting was held the morning of January 20. Following some opening remarks by WHOA President David Pruett, Nominating Committee Chairman Kim Bennett took the floor to report on the nominations for 2007. He reported the following nominations which were all accepted by acclamation – Frank Neal for Vice President, Suzy Johnson for Secretary, and George Greenup for Treasurer. He also presented the list of nominations for WHOA’s advisory board which were also approved unanimously. The Advisory Board consists of Martha Child, Mark Farrar, Jr., Jim Gullett, Bruce Lovato, Farrah McAlexander, Larry Pickhardt, Robert Pollack, Bob Ramsbottom, Andy Rippy, Dee Dee Sale, Emmitt Samford, Pat Stout, Harolene Willis, and Dr. Bob Womack. Mr. Pruett than recognized the three new board members, Deborah Williams, Dr. David Ranson, and R. Bud Moore.

After the approval of the minutes from the last board of directors meeting, Treasurer George Greenup presented the financial report. He stated that WHOA had ended the year with around $25,000 in the bank. He explained that total income for the year was $626,000 and that total expenses amounted to $599,000 for a net income of $27,000. Those numbers reflect a 2% increase in expenses from 2005 to 2006. Mr. Greenup also reported that in 2005 WHOA had paid the National Horse Show Commission (NHSC) $45,000 and that in 2006 they only had to pay the NHSC $2,000.

Turning to the 2007 budget, Mr. Greenup related that NHSC expenses were up $18,000 compared to $2,000 in 2006.

Next on the agenda, Mr. Pruett addressed WHOA’s committees for 2007. He began by commending the Nominating Committee, which consisted of Chairman Kim Bennett, Jean Baum, Chris Messick, Bob Lawrence, and Kathy Owen. He then announced that he would be assigning chairpeople for the other committees and that those chairpeople would then be responsible for forming the committees. His assignments included Dr. David Ranson – Membership, Deborah Williams – Fundraising, George Greenup – Budget and Finance, Mark Farrar, Jr. – Promotions, Martha Child – Pleasure Horse, Harolene Willis – Academy Program, Kathy Owen – Pleasure and Colt International Horse Show, and Ty Irby – Performance International Horse Show. Mr. Pruett also disclosed that WHOA had hired Dee Dee Sale to oversee their youth program.

It was then time for the NHSC report. Mr. Pruett related that the NHSC had affiliated 285 shows and sales in 2006 and had inspected 56,602 horses. He noted that the number of shows and sales affiliated was up from 2005 but the number of horses inspected was down from 62,067 in 2005. He also reported that the number of violations were up in 2006 as there were 983 in 2006 compared to 662 in 2005.

Continuing on, he explained that there were 91 hearings by the independent hearing committee in 2006 and that of those 47 were trainer hearings, 42 were owner liability hearings, and two were exhibitor hearings. Of the 47 trainer hearings 23 were founded, 27 were unfounded, and two were dismissed. Of the 42 owner liability hearings 11 were founded, 17 were unfounded, and 11 were exempt. Both of the exhibitor hearings were founded. He stated that the NHSC board of directors had heard 12 appeals in 2006, eight of which were upheld and four of which were overturned. Eight other hearings were requested but later cancelled. There were also five default judgements issued in cases where hearings were requested but the person concerned never showed up.

Recounting recent actions at the NHSC, Mr. Pruett iterated that Dr. Todd Behre had requested information on horses, trainers, and owners from shows held in 2006 where the USDA had swabbed horses’ legs so that letters of warning could be sent. Mr. Pruett said that the NHSC board had requested that the information be sent to the USDA but added that, as a common courtesy, letters should also be sent to people whose horses had swabbed clean.

Mr. Pruett then discussed two motions that had been passed at recent NHSC board meetings. The first states that any horse that comes out of the lineup presenting a bad image must be reported by the judge to the NHSC so that a letter of warning can be issued to the horse’s trainer. The second motion provides for a $2,000 fine to be assessed to anyone found in violation of the two-pound shoe rule.

Turning to the new Operating Plan, Mr. Pruett disclosed that the HIOs, including the NHSC, had presented the 2007-2008 Operating Plan to the USDA on December 18, 2006, and that Dr. Behre and Dr. Gipson had asked the USDA’s council to study the plan and issue an opinion on it as soon as possible. Dr. Behre made it clear to the NHSC that until the new Operating Plan comes back from council, the 2004-2006 Operating Plan will remain in effect.

Addressing the future of the NHSC, Mr. Pruett then reported on a plan for improvement that he had presented to the NHSC board. He recounted, “In that plan I spelled out how we needed an oversight committee to review the management practices appropriate to the NHSC. How we need veterinarians in a capacity to help the NHSC and how we need an enforcement committee composed of equine veterinarians over the DQP program. The enforcement committee would review the HIO program from time to time and make themselves available for consultation with the DQP coordinator. They may be asked to participate in the DQP refresher and training course and the joint DQP/VMO training clinic, all subject to approval by the USDA. They would attend shows and monitor the effectiveness of the DQPs. The NHSC also needs a steward program in which the members would serve as monitors, not inspectors of individual horses. A judges committee should be established to review complaints and comments. Appropriate random drug testing of horses should be created and NHSC judges should be subjected to random polygraph testing.”

Following the NHSC report, the agenda called for individual committee reports. First up was the report from the Promotions Committee. As Mark Farrar, Jr., was absent due to another obligation, Mr. Pruett gave the report. He related that Mr. Farrar had an idea for an industry-wide promotions committee composed of people in the industry that are experienced in public relations. This committee would promote the breed and answer any negative publicity regarding the breed. Any of the industry’s associations could use the committee whenever needed.

Reporting for the Membership Committee, Janice Fostek detailed the responses to a phone survey that her committee had conducted. She explained, “After the first of the year we felt like it was time to talk to our members. Calls were made to both flat shod and padded horse owners inside and outside of Tennessee. The responses were very pleasing, we received really high marks in a lot of areas.” Mrs. Fostek then ran down a list of comments heard repeatedly. She broke the comments down into two sections – those regarding WHOA as an organization and those regarding WHOA as a partner in the NHSC.

Regarding WHOA as an organization, members felt that it was financially sound. They were pleased that WHOA had been more visible in 2006 and urged the Association to work more closely with state and local Tennessee Walking Horse associations. Respondents also encouraged WHOA to keep the news segment of the WHOA website as up-to-date as possible and they also said that they wanted WHOA to disseminate their news on other websites on a timely basis.

Mrs. Fostek reported that there had been several positive comments on WHOA’s high point program and their alliance with the Walking Horse Report. She said that some people had encouraged WHOA to consider regional award programs to increase participation in WHOA. There were also positive comments about WHOA’s Academy Program and many people urged WHOA to continue to strive for unification.

Concerning WHOA’s function in the industry, many respondents stated that, because WHOA is comprised of owners, the Association should assume the responsibility of communicating with the public. According to Mrs. Fostek’s report, several people also felt that WHOA should become the primary association to represent the mare owners in the industry.

Regarding WHOA as a partner in the NHSC most respondents had only positive remarks. Nearly all agreed that the NHSC needs to be a professional group of individuals to face the regulatory and industry issues of today. Suggestions included interviewing prospective board members and having a veterinarian lead the inspection process in the DQP program.

Mrs. Fostek stated that per the survey, the owners’ main concern is to show their horses if they are in compliance. She also reported that there is no compromise on keeping the sore horse out of competition. Owners also want more research and emphasis on detecting the pressure shod horse.

According to Mrs. Fostek’s report, there is as much concern about judging as there is about inspection. The owners feel that judging must improve and they are clamoring for a Director of Judges. Also, a number of owners said that the industry may have to consider having professional judges rather than just trainers as judges. Accountability is key with the respondents and virtually all feel that the NHSC needs to be more accountable with regards to both inspection and judging. Most endorse some type of oversight committee within the NHSC to evaluate veterinarians, DQPs, and judges.

Closing out her report, Mrs. Fostek gave a rundown of current membership statistics. Comparing 2005 and 2006 Academy memberships went from 75 to 91, youth memberships went from 612 to 662, regular memberships went from 2187 to 2257, family memberships went from 865 to 796, temporary memberships went from 295 to 321, and lifetime memberships remained at 87.

Mark Taylor reported for the Academy Committee. He explained that, due to TWHBEA’s desire to affiliate with their own HIO, WHOA’s Academy Program, which continues to affiliate with the NHSC, was now separate. He commended Kim and Leigh Bennett for their hard work finding sponsors for the program and reported that their first academy show had garnered 90 entries.

The Pleasure Horse Committee report was next. Martha Child began by relating that the fee increases at the Pleasure and Colt International Grand Championships had not affected the entry numbers. Entry numbers for the 2006 event were actually up with more people from outside of Tennessee participating.

Ms. Child also reported that the Pleasure Horse Committee was committed to making WHOA more visible in 2007. To that end, they are planning on scheduling more events. They are planning a schooling show early in the year and they are going to try to partner with some of the traditional Saturday night shows to perhaps include versatility shows at the same location during the day, prior to the traditional show. The Pleasure Horse Committee has also developed a subcommittee that will plan some social activities such as hospitality rooms at major shows. Kathy Owen is the chair of that subcommittee.

Reporting for the Horse Show Committee, Ty Irby pronounced that both the Pleasure and Colt International Grand Championship and the Performance International Grand Championship had been very successful. The dates for the two International Grand Championships will be the same weekends as last year.

Scot MacGregor, chair of the Versatility Committee, gave the final committee report. He announced that WHOA’s versatility rulebook had been completed. He explained that it contained at least twice as many events as the TWHBEA^SM Versatility Rule Book.

Mr. MacGregor also discussed his committee’s plans to hold a trail trial or judged trail ride. This event would be an hour or so long trail ride with 10 natural obstacles. Participants would be judged on how well they handle each obstacle. The committee is hoping to hold this event in conjunction with the 2007 Midnight Sun Charity Horse Show.

With no old business to discuss, the meeting moved on to new business. Discussions under this heading primarily involved ideas on how to better promote the breed and how to respond to negative publicity. Dr. Ranson suggested forming a committee that would invite individual members of the media to middle Tennessee and then conduct them on a tour of the walking horse industry. Mr. Pruett commented that WHOA was in the process of setting up a media day on April 6, 2007, at Miller Coliseum.

Kathy Owen brought up the idea of holding a celebrity class at the International similar to the one that was held at the Celebration years ago. Janice Fostek suggested that, in light of his involvement with Waterfall Farm, it might be possible to get Monty Roberts involved in such an endeavor.

Kim Bennett proposed producing a documentary that followed a Tennessee Walking Horse from birth to the first year or two under saddle.

Mr. Pruett stated that he had been contacted by a member who asked him to bring up the idea of establishing a technical fund to support promotion, studies, and research. Mrs. Fostek responded that she thought that WHOA needed some concrete plans before they began trying to raise money. Mr. Pruett suggested that they pick out two or three goals for 2007. Everyone agreed that WHOA’s primary goal should be the positive promotion of the Tennessee Walking Horse.

General Membership Meeting

The WHOA General Membership Meeting was held the afternoon of January 20. WHOA President David Pruett began the meeting with an upbeat welcome saying, “We have the greatest trail, pleasure, versatility, and show horse in the world. Our breed will reach the utmost height with your help.”

The welcome was followed by brief reports from committee chairs summarizing the committee reports given during the morning’s board meeting. Lonnie Messick then gave a year-end report on the NHSC, which mirrored the NHSC report given by Mr. Pruett at the board meeting.

WHTA President Wink Groover also spoke at the meeting. He related that his main goals were to eliminate the sore horse and to improve the public image of the Tennessee Walking Horse. He stated that if the first goal was accomplished the second would follow in hand. He related, “If we get the horses in there correctly and get the public behind us we will grow by leaps and bounds. We have got to start doing whatever it takes to show these horses. That’s our number one priority.”

National High Point Awards Banquet

The National High Point Awards Banquet was held the evening of January 20. With over 350 in attendance, the banquet was an opportune time to catch up with out of town friends.

Emcee Mark Farrar, Jr., began the evening with a welcome and the introduction of several honored guests. Leigh Bennett then provided the invocation and guests were treated to a beautifully presented sit-down meal.

The first presentations of the evening went to the 2006 Diamond Sponsors of the International horse shows. These were followed by special presentations to Christy Scrivner and Kathy Owen for organizing the convention’s silent auction. Strong Dollar was then honored as the 2006 International Grand Champion with Link and Lane Webb accepting the honor.

Following the presentation of the National High Point Awards by Alex Bumpus and Maddie Jones, the silent auction was concluded and a 50/50 drawing was held. In the end David Landrum purchased the final two tickets from the drawing for $2,500 a piece and took home the $6,700 pot.