The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration recently hired Travis Emore to be the Director of Arena Operations and Events. Emore will directly oversee the operations of Cooper Steel Arena, as well as also function as a member of the senior leadership team at The Celebration. Emore comes to The Celebration from Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro.

“Our entire team is excited about the addition of an arena director to our staff. Travis joins us with a wealth of knowledge in the equestrian facility management and, most importantly, equestrian footing. It did not take me long to learn, as I contacted my peers around the country, that Travis is a well-respected leader in the equestrian facility industry,” commented Celebration CEO Warren Wells.

Emore’s career started with training Arabians for endurance and Quarter Horses for shows, and he backed up his practical experience with a Bachelor of Science degree at Middle Tennessee State University in Animal Science. While attending MTSU, Emore was a member of the equestrian team and the horse judging team that went on to win the World Championship in 1997. "My experience with the Judging Team gave me the skills I needed to better communicate with people," Emore recalls. "This has become very valuable to me in my life and career. Without this ability, my job would be a great deal more difficult."

Following college, Emore went to work for the highly respected Quarter Horse trainer Alex Ross. While training there professionally, Emore had the opportunity to manage the Ross family farm. The job struck a chord with him, and he knew that management was where he belonged. When he was offered the position of assistant manager at the Tennessee Livestock Center, it wasn't hard to accept. "When I accepted the position with the Tennessee Livestock Center, I realized I had something to offer in this field," Emore says. "Also, returning to a place that was common ground allowed the transition to not be intimidating. With my previous experiences, some of the decisions came easier because of my insight."

While at Tennessee Livestock Center, a Middle Tennessee State University facility, Emore became acquainted with all forms of livestock and gained an appreciation for each association he worked with, along with an understanding of their needs. He remained there for five years, until he had the opportunity to manage the Tennessee Miller Coliseum. "Given the opportunity to manage the Tennessee Miller Coliseum was exceptional, in that it gave me a chance to focus on primarily equine events," he explained. "The equine industry being a passion of mine, it was a natural fit."

Emore managed the Tennessee Miller Coliseum from 2008 to 2021 located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. While managing the Miller Coliseum he served on the League of Agricultural and Equine Centers Board of Directors from 2008 to 2020 and served as the Chairman of the Board as well as Education Committee Chair. “I am excited to be a part of a team that embraces the future vision for Cooper Steel Arena and look to continue that feeling of unity and community that our customers receive when visiting us here at the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration,” Emore stated. With his appointment of Director of Arena Operations and Events, Travis looks to further his experience, as well as, bring his knowledge to the future of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration and Cooper Steel Arena. While being connected to the horse industry, Emore is a lifelong horseman who has been involved in many aspects of the horse industry.