SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has taken another step in animal care with the addition of an on-site equine ambulance during the 65th annual show.

The Moore County Equine Emergency Response Unit from Southern Pines, N.C., has reached an agreement with The Celebration and will be on the Grounds during all performances during the 11 days of the Celebration. The MCEERU is regarded as one of the top equine ambulances available anywhere in the country.

“The health and well-being of all the animals on the grounds is of utmost importance to us,” said Celebration board chairman Pat Marsh. “We’re happy to be bringing this unit to our show with the hopes that we will never need to use it.”

This equine ambulance is a fully self-contained unit with a generator, refrigerator, microwave and two 100-gallon water tanks. It is equipped with Anderson sling and rolling dolly, a drag mat and is capable of hauling up to two standing horses.

“We are very excited about coming to The Celebration,” said MCEERU Executive Director Blaine Rowland. “This show has such a great national reputation. We are very honored to be selected to be part of it.”

The ambulance will be available to any sick or injured horse on the Celebration Grounds. A driver will take the ambulance directly to the site of the sick or injured horse when called, and will transport the horse, if needed.

“We’ve been extremely lucky over the years with sick or injured horses,” said Celebration CEO Ron Thomas. “Having the ambulance on site will make sure we have the very best care available with the quickest response time available.”

The Celebration is also proud to announce that the customers of the Knox Blackburn Stables are making it possible to bring the equine ambulance to Shelbyville by underwriting the expenses.

“There are some fixed costs that need to be taken care of,” said Thomas. “We’re grateful to Knox Blackburn’s customers for seeing the importance of this level of care and helping us bring the ambulance to the Celebration.”

The MCEERU will also conduct a clinic and demonstration of its hardware and its abilities as part of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association’s Celebration Clinics on Friday, August 29th at 1:00 p.m. in Champions Arena on the Celebration Grounds.