SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration® brought thirteen new members into the TWHNC® Hall of Fame at a dinner in their honor on February 23, 2008 at Calsonic Arena at The Historic Celebration Grounds in Shelbyville, TN.
The Class of 2008 includes industry professionals and contributors to The World’s Greatest Horse Show. They join a select group previously inducted.
“We are very happy to make honor this group for their participation and contributions to The Celebration,” said board chairman David L. Howard. “Each one of these individuals is very deserving of the honor and we are proud to have them join our Hall of Fame.”
The new members included one that was honored posthumously; long-time owner/exhibitor Dr. Dan Bateman of Albany, Georgia
Other members of the Class of 2008 include:
Jean Baum, long-time owner/exhibitor of Ixonia, Wisconsin.
Larry Bright of Tylertown, Mississippi was honored for his quarter-century of work as the official organist of The Celebration®.
Joe Dietz of New Castle, Indiana is a long-time owner of many successful horses, including 1981 World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse®, The Pusher.
Columbia, Kentucky-based owner Tommy Grider has been a leader in the walking horse industry in his home state. His family has owned numerous blue ribbon winners at The Celebration.
Diane Gueck, a highly successful trainer from Sherwood, Oregon, has been a leader in the walking horse industry in the western United States for many years.
Dr. W.H. Hill of Powder Springs, Georgia has been a long-time owner and exhibitor within the industry. He also won a blue ribbon at the age of 90 at the 2007 Celebration.
Bob Kilgore of Tuscaloosa, Alabama has been part of the ownership group of two different World Grand Champions. They include 1997 World Grand Champion, Generator’s Santana, and the 2005 titleholder, Main Power.
Celebration Director Bailey Little of Shelbyville was honored for his years of service to the annual event.
Noted owners and exhibitors Floyd and Beverly Sherman of Dallas, Texas, have put quality horses in the show ring for many years. Mrs. Sherman has numerous World and World Grand Champion titles to her credit as an owner-amateur rider.
Charles Terry of Morristown, Tennessee has been a long-time owner of outstanding walking horses, including part-ownership in 2001 World Grand Champion, Pride’s Jubilee Encore.
Columbia, Tennessee’s Hoil Walker has been involved in the Tennessee Walking Horse industry for many years. The high point came in 1993 when his horse, The Touch, was crowned World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse.
“This class of inductees comes from all areas of the industry,” said Howard. “It just shows the diversity of individuals that mean so much to our wonderful event.”
Nearly 500 people, the largest gathering in the event’s history, were on hand for the gala ceremony, including inductees and family members from coast to coast and abroad. The Celebration board of directors has the responsibility of choosing the inductees, but welcomes input from the general public for the next class of inductees, in 2010.