D.B. "Buddy" Nelson has retired from his position as Chairman of the Board of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration as of the October 3 meeting. Nelson was due to leave the board at retirement age in January but decided to leave three months early. No replacement has been named but an early November meeting has been set where his replacement is expected to be named.

The Board also voted to name David Howard Chairman of the Board replacing Nelson until the January annual meeting. Other board members include Pat Marsh, Jim Allison, Charles McDonald, Rick Insell, and John T. Bobo.

Mr. Nelson joined the Celebration board in 2002 and is a real estate appraiser in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The board expressed their appreciation for his service.