Loyd Hall "Buster" Black, Jr. resigned as President of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' & Exhibitors' Association on October 14, 2013.  Black assumed the role when Tracy Boyd resigned as President after TWHBEA hired Boyd to replace Ron Thomas as Executive Director.

Rob Cornelius will now assume the role of President until the election in December.  Ballots are due today (October 15) in the TWHBEA International Directors election.

Below is Black's letter of resignation to TWHBEA membership:

Dear TWHBEA Members,
 
It is for very personal reasons and with deep regret that I hereby resign from the office of  President of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders' and Exhibitors' Association, effective immediately. It has been humbling that the Executive Committee elected me to the post, and it is personally disappointing that I will not be able to strive for the accomplishments I had planned for my term of office. However, please understand that compelling personal circumstances have rearranged priorities for me. Over the past few weeks, the necessity of this change for me has been discussed with Senior Vice President Rob Cornelius, who has been a joy to work with. I have the highest personal respect for Rob as a business man, and I commend him to the Executive Committee as just the person TWHBEA needs to succeed to the presidency.
 
To the members of TWHBEA, let me say I do wish I could continue to serve you in this challenging time though I cannot. Nevertheless, permit me to depart by reminding all our members that I have said first and foremost that I support the Tennessee Walking Horse in its lawful use in all the disciplines of our industry, and I hope you will too. May all those who would join me work for the day when state and federal protections for the horse may be ignored, not because anyone in our industry scoffs at the law but because, from within our industry itself, our care for our beloved breed far surpasses the minimum standards of care that would be established by those external to our industry. 
 
May you live each of your days going forward as a testament to your belief in the inherent excellence of our horse. To each and every member of TWHBEA, I wish the best of everything.
 
 
Buster Black