The industry that has made the city of Shelbyville, Tenn., known worldwide as the “Walking Horse Capital of the World” announced that Shelbyville has shown it’s support for the recently-completed Trainers’ Show in a big way.
Walking Horse Trainers Association President Knox Blackburn was on the Celebration grounds Thursday to accept a check for $10,000 from the City of Shelbyville for their sponsorship of the event.
“Every show needs corporate sponsorship,” related Blackburn. “We’re very fortunate to have the City of Shelbyville step forward and support the trainers.”
The relationship between all the parties involved is a healthy one. The Celebration has been happy to take the lead in organizing the sponsors for the Trainers’ Show.
“Our people (Celebration staff) have done a great job cultivating relationships with the business community throughout the years,” said David Howard, member of the Celebration Board of Directors. “It’s good to know that we were in a position to bring several entities to the table to help the Trainers’ Show be the early-season success that it is, and put together a sponsorship package totaling $25,000.”
“The Celebration staff makes our job easy to put on a great show,” said Blackburn. “Assisting us in lining up corporate sponsorships is invaluable. They have the clout to go in and ask for the sponsorship on our behalf. It certainly proves to me that the Celebration has a commitment to the trainers in this industry.”
Shelbyville joins The Celebration as a $10,000 sponsor of the Trainers’ Show. Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores is a $5,000 sponsor of the event.
“It makes perfect sense for our city to provide financial support for the Trainers’ Show,” said Shelbyville City Recorder Betty Lamb. “The work done by the trainers brings in millions of dollars annually to the economy of Shelbyville, Bedford County, and the entire Middle Tennessee region.”
The Trainers’ Show has been held at Calsonic Arena since 1993 and has an agreement to remain there through the 2008 show. This year’s show featured 634 entries.
“We are proud to host the WHTA and the Trainers’ Show each year,” said Howard. “The trainers are the ones who continue to develop great show horses and help make our show (The Celebration) the world’s greatest horse show.”